According to various industry reports, the national average for shrink among supermarkets is in the area of 2.7 percent of sales — for all departments. Produce is 16 percent of that total shrink. The produce shrink waste is from 4 to 8 percent of the department sales. There are millions of dollars in shrink being lost in the produce operations. If you don’t have shrink data analysis information and are just guessing at a number, chances are it is far greater than you can ever imagine. Fresh fruits and vegetables are most susceptible to shrink, and retailers take many steps to keep the product

The Giant Co.'s Feeding School Kids initiative, in partnership with its customers, raised more than $1.2 million to address food insecurity throughout local public school districts in the communities it serves. “Studies have shown a direct correlation between good nutrition and a student’s ability to learn, which is why our Feeding School Kids initiative is so important in helping local public school districts eliminate hunger,” said Jennifer Scott, vice president, chief human resources and community relations officer, The Giant Co. “Together with our customers and team members, we have raised

Fresh From Florida brand recognition continues to grow with nearly 1.2 million followers across its social media platforms. The advertising campaign drives consumers to FreshFromFlorida.com to learn what Florida products are in season and explore hundreds of delicious recipes featuring Florida-grown products. For instance, Chef Justin Timineri, Florida’s culinary ambassador, develops recipes, conducts cooking demonstrations at trade shows and provides educational content to Fresh From Florida club members. Consumers are also invited to follow Fresh From Florida on Facebook and Instagram to

Harvesting is under way for Alpine Fresh LLC's Sweet Karoline blackberries, and the first shipments crossed from Mexico earlier this month. While the conventional Sweet Karoline blackberry season has already been in motion, the organic program has now begun, promising the same exceptional quality and flavor customers have come to expect. The organic Sweet Karoline blackberries are marketed under Alpine’s Hippie Organics brand, adding to its vibrant lineup of premium organic produce. Sweet Karoline blackberries are known for their sweet and fantastic flavor, making it hard not to eat the entire

Tyler Price has been elected chairman of the Washington Apple Education Foundation board of directors. Price was elected at the foundation’s annual meeting held April 24 at Central Washington University. Price is a fourth-generation tree fruit grower and the CEO of Price Cold Storage & Packing Co. in Yakima. He brings deep industry roots and a wealth of strategic leadership experience to the role. Before returning to the family business, Price helped shape the global product strategy for Nike and Apple. He holds a business degree from the University of Washington and an MBA from Stanford

Today, poor diet is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In the U.S., nine out of 10 adults still don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, despite knowing the benefits. This shortfall isn’t just a statistic — it’s a call to action. At The Foundation for Fresh Produce, we believe fruits and vegetables are among the most powerful tools we have to improve health outcomes. More than a commodity, they’re a solution to some of our most pressing health challenges. And our industry is uniquely positioned to turn that potential into impact. Chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes and