The key, said Bill Nardelli, Sr., is to encourage repeat purchases. That is what officials at Nardelli Lake View Farms strive to do with every one of their 80 or so commodities they produce at its Cedarville, NJ-based operation.

As federal support for key USDA programs winds down, small-scale Texas farmers warn of the damaging effects on local agriculture, community health and school nutrition across the state. Jesus Lozano, founder of Triple J Organics in Mission, TX, said these cuts threaten hard-earned progress that has made locally grown produce more accessible to families and students alike. Small farms like Triple J Organics have long struggled with unpredictable markets and limited buyers. Too often, perfectly good fruit is rejected simply because it doesn’t meet rigid size standards. “It’s frustrating to see

NNZ Inc., a global leader in packaging solutions, has been named one of just nine companies selected to participate in the 2025 cohort of the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator, an innovation program powered by the International Fresh Produce Association and the Foundation for Fresh Produce. As part of this year’s accelerator, NNZ will focus on the development and commercialization of Q-Bic, the next-generation tray solution engineered to address some of the most urgent challenges in the produce industry: escalating logistics costs, food waste and the environmental footprint of traditional

The California Avocado Commission board of directors has promoted Ken Melban to be the organization’s president. Melban joined the commission in 2011 as director, issues management. In 2015 he was promoted to vice president, industry affairs and has served as vice president of industry affairs and operations, as well as co-executive leader of the organization since late 2023. “Ken has demonstrated outstanding leadership of the commission’s financial and administrative operations as well as industry affairs programs,” said Jason Cole, chair of the California Avocado Commission board of

Watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydews are the dominant melons in demand by consumers. Other melon varieties add to the line and help make up an attractive display for customers to choose in the produce department. The imported melons are finished and are transitioning to the new crop of cantaloupes and honeydews out of California, Arizona. Florida, Texas and Mexico. Watermelons: North and central Florida seeded watermelons are light and the market is steady. New crop seedless watermelons show excellent quality. Southern Florida seedless watermelons are in a light supply with moderate demand

Russo Farms is a trusted grower, buyer and shipper of fresh produce with more than 100 years of history. It also owns and operates trucks for delivery, and ships via direct grower relationships in New Jersey. “Things have been very busy,” said Thomas Russo Jr., president of the Vineland, NJ-based company. “We’re looking forward to another Jersey season. We got started a little earlier than usual; the weather was very favorable in that regard.” Russo Farms operates on approximately 350 acres of farmland and deals in 50 categories of vegetables. Among its biggest items are sweet corn, peppers