With harvest around the corner, Superfresh Growers is optimistic about a strong, promotable season for its blueberry program, backed by favorable growing conditions and an evolving consumer landscape that’s driving fresh demand. Operating out of two strategic Pacific Northwest locations — Oregon’s Umpqua River Valley and Washington’s Skagit Valley — the company reports that an ideal combination of rainfall, snowpack and spring weather has created “an excellent foundation for this year’s crop,” according to Ryan Cleary, director of blueberries for Superfresh Growers. “Blueberries had perfect

While garlic may be the first thing that comes to mind with Spice World products, the company created Easy Onion to help make life easier for consumers in the kitchen. Onions, like garlic, need to be peeled and chopped before using them, so it was a seamless transition for Spice World to create Easy Onion. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, per capita onion consumption has risen from 17.45 pounds per person in 2000 to 21.3 pounds per person in 2024. With high household penetration of nearly 80 percent, consumers are constantly looking for new recipes and ways to use onions.

It’s not front page news that food shopping is more expensive than it has been in a while — and prices show no signs of decreasing anytime soon. With that in mind, Brick Meets Click expects growth in grocery spending to slow over the next five years. Online sales, however, are expected to outpace in-store spending by about 5 percent. According to the Brick Meets Click U.S. Grocery Sales 5-Year Forecast: 2025-29 report, the online segment (pickup, delivery and ship-to-home) should account for 17 percent of all grocery sales by the end of 2029. In 2024, annual eGrocery sales finished up just

After nearly 17 years with the Idaho Potato Commission and over 50 years in the food industry, Armand Lobato has retired, closing an impressive chapter in a long and accomplished career. Known for his dedication, humility and genuine relationships, Lobato continues to have a lasting presence among growers, commissioners, colleagues and friends. Lobato began his career in 1974 as a courtesy clerk in Denver. From those early days, he steadily advanced through retail and foodservice before joining the IPC as foodservice promotions director West. In that role, he traveled across 14 western states

This summer, the National Mango Board is teaming up with fan-favorite Squishmallows to celebrate peak mango season in the sweetest way. Launching nationwide, the partnership will promote the joy and nutritional benefits of fresh mangos through a playful, multi-channel campaign that includes a giveaway, in-store activations and digital content — bringing together the joy of mangos with the collectible fun of Squishmallows to engage fans and drive excitement all season long.

Sweet corn and green bean grower Papen Farms, which is in its second season without its third signature crop, cabbage, has effectively shifted that crop’s acreage to mostly green beans. As the grower nears harvest, it’s also preparing for some changes in the office. Two longtime senior staffers who serve on the company’s executive board and are part of the family farm, now in its fourth generation, are retiring. Janet Meyer, secretary-treasurer and sister of Richard Papen (who passed away in 2022), and Carol Traegler, assistant secretary-treasurer and Richard’s daughter, run the administrative