Archaeological evidence discovered that humans were eating apples as far back as 6500 B.C. They ate sour crabapples but eventually started cultivating sweeter apples in central Asia 6000 to 8000 years ago. European colonists brought apples to North America in the 1600s. So, apples were one of the early fruits that eventually became very popular with humans all over the planet. There are over 7,500 varieties of apples in the entire world. The U.S. farmers grow over 2,500 of those varieties. Of that number, 100 varieties are grown commercially. Apples are a favorite fruit all year round. But now

The National Watermelon Promotion Board announced the winners of its 17th annual Watermelon Retail Merchandising Contest, recognizing outstanding retailers who delivered creative, vibrant and effective watermelon promotions across stores and digital platforms. Each year, the contest celebrates retailers who use imaginative merchandising and marketing to boost watermelon sales and inspire consumers to enjoy the watermelon’s many health, value and versatility benefits. This year’s participants truly raised the bar, with eye-catching displays, excellent cross-merchandising and fun social media

The highly anticipated 2025 Organic Grower Summit is set to bring together the brightest minds, innovative technologies and actionable insights in organic agriculture. Scheduled to take place Dec. 3-4 in Monterey, CA, this year’s summit promises an engaging lineup, including a welcome keynote and a wide variety of seminars. The event kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 8 a.m. with Sylvia Tawse, founder and chief fresh officer at the Fresh Ideas Group. Her welcome keynote, “Unsung Heroes in Organic — How to Apply Their Legacies to Your Organic Success,” will explore the challenges and triumphs

Aimee McDonald has joined Markon as the new director of food safety. A California native and Cal Poly graduate, McDonald brings decades of food-safety experience within the realm of produce. McDonald’s career spans the fresh-cut, frozen, retail and foodservice sectors, giving her a well-rounded understanding of every stage in the food supply chain. She has had a depth of experience in food safety and quality assurance and has held leadership roles with several leading food companies, most recently with organicgirl in the Salinas Valley. “Aimee’s depth of experience and passion for continuous

Church Bros. Farms is acquiring key assets from Fresh Del Monte’s Mann Packing business. The transaction represents a strategic, forward-looking move for both organizations — aligning each company around its core strengths and driving continued progress for the fresh produce industry as a whole. “This is a complementary move that positions both organizations for success,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s chairman and CEO. “Church Brothers brings deep vegetable expertise and a strong production footprint, making them the ideal home for Mann Packing and its legacy of innovation. For

The National Mango Board has named Vallarta Supermarkets as the recipient of its prestigious Mango Retailer of the Year award-2025 edition, recognizing the company's exceptional commitment to driving mango sales and inspiring consumers nationwide. The award, presented on Oct. 17 during the Mango Reception at IFPA's Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, CA, honors the brand for its impressive year-over-year mango sale growth, creative in-store merchandising and impactful consumer engagement campaigns that helped bring the vibrant flavor of mangos to more households than ever before. Each