Though it is only the middle of summer, the North Carolina sweet potato crop is progressing well with grower-shippers expecting a bounce back year after adverse weather took a toll on the 2024 harvest.

“This year we are looking to get past the crop shortages that we experienced last year,” said Robin Narron, who is director of marketing for Nash Produce.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

The California grape season is off to a strong start for Sun Grape California LLC —  An Oppy Company, with good volume, new sustainable packaging and a continued commitment to quality and growth.

BrightFresh Microgreens has launched a refreshed brand identity and newly designed packaging. The company’s updated look and feel reflect a continued commitment to innovation, transparency and making healthy eating enjoyable and accessible for all.

The redesigned packaging, which will begin rolling out next week at select retail locations, features bright and bold updates aimed at enhancing the customer experience.

Key improvements include:

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association and the International Fresh Produce Association, joined by more than a dozen other representatives of the North American fresh fruit and vegetable sector, are urging the leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada to swiftly resolve ongoing tariff disputes that threaten the affordability, accessibility and stability of fresh produce supplies across the continent.

Raley’s has promoted two accomplished leaders, Jessica Blakely and Faith Garrard, to senior roles overseeing sales and merchandising across the organization’s diverse banners. These appointments reflect the company's commitment to operational excellence, customer-focused innovation and developing talent from within.