In years gone by, U.S. importers of Peruvian asparagus would often compete, touting the freshness of their product because they brought the product into the United States via air rather than ocean.  That is rarely the case today as ocean shipments dominate the space.

“Ten years ago, 10 percent of the volume was shipped by ocean and 90 percent by air,” said Walter Yager, president of Alpine Fresh. “This year, I expect 80 percent by ocean and 20 percent by air.”

With an avocado program that stretches from seed to fork, Westfalia Fruit Marketing is determined to bring avocados to every corner of the world.

Many of the trends that are currently shaping consumer behavior, and necessarily impacting business decisions, are centered around the idea that the buying public is taking control of their lives and making changes with their own well-being at the core.

Gearing up for the start of September’s National Fruit and Veggies Month, the Produce for Better Health Foundation hosted a webinar Aug. 30 exploring the role sustainability efforts can play in increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables. 

A panel of retail experts discussed how cutting technology is and will be driving produce sales both online and in the store in the coming years. The overarching theme of the International Fresh Produce Association virtual town hall held Wednesday, Aug. 31, was that technology is already significantly changing the world of retailing, but there are so many more advance coming down the road that will be game changing.

Carl Sam Maggio, who had a produce career stretching six decades, died Aug. 19 of natural causes after battling health issues for the previous two years. He was born Jan. 23, 1933, making him 89 at his death.