U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, though USDA said all critical functions of the department will continue uninterrupted.

The reorganization consists of four pillars: ensure the size of USDA’s workforce aligns with available financial resources and agricultural priorities; bring USDA closer to its customers; eliminate management layers and bureaucracy; and consolidate redundant support functions.

SpartanNash recently joined with shoppers at Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market to raise $330,000 to support military families, Veterans and communities in need. The annual Heroes fundraiser united store guests and associates across SpartanNash’s retail footprint in supporting three nonprofit partners — Folds of Honor, Operation Homefront and Convoy of Hope. Each organization will receive a $110,000 donation to advance their respective missions of service, resilience and hope.

The Kroger Co. has hired George Vincent, who will join the company as its secretary and general counsel, effective Aug. 4.

Vincent previously served as the firm's managing partner from 2007 to 2022, where he oversaw significant expansion and led many of the firm's strategic efforts. He also served as chairman of the firm's first board of directors. In that role, Vincent oversaw more than 750 lawyers who are licensed in 35 states and the District of Columbia and who supported clients across the U.S. facing complex legal challenges.

Superior Grocers, one of the largest independent supermarket chains in Southern California, has partnered with IFCO to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of its fresh produce supply chain.

The collaboration introduces IFCO’s reusable packaging containers as the standard for transporting fresh fruits and vegetables across Superior’s distribution and retail network. By transitioning away from cardboard and waxed boxes, Superior is embracing an alternative way to move produce from farm to shelf.

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: