The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission have assembled a five-state, 30-organization coalition comprising two national organizations, representing a diverse collection of crops, including eight advocacy groups, with the unified mission of filing a Freedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the request is to obtain detailed information about how the USDA calculates the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which determines minimum wages under the H-2A agricultural guest-worker program. Backing

The produce industry once again met in Washington, DC, for the International Fresh Produce Association's annual Washington Conference on Monday June 9. After a day of meetings, attendees took a breath, mingled and talked strategy at the opening reception, held at the Grand Hyatt, before the visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

Variety Farms Inc., a farm that has been around for roughly 100 years, markets Diamond Blueberries as its personal label.

Avocados from Peru will generate the lion’s share of excitement for the avocado category this summer via one-of-a-kind promotions, including a partnership with the Detroit Tigers, one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball. Xavier Equihua, president and chief executive officer of the Peruvian Avocado Commission, said this year’s program includes a trifecta of events that incorporates classic tactics and experiential marketing. The promotional events kicked off, quite fittingly, on Cinco de Mayo with the first-ever Guacamole Challenge at SeaWorld San Diego, where three amateur chefs

Early this year, the Alexandra Farms human resources team held a reading initiative for the children of their farmworkers to encourage reading, creativity and critical thinking skills. Through this effort, the team hoped to play a role in making reading more engaging and accessible for children and families in the rural town of Gachancipá, where the farm is located. The farm purchased 50 copies of the children’s book “Los Cuentos de la Tortuga Felicia” by J. Ospina. It’s a Colombian children’s book of short fables about equality, kindness and community in the animal world, all told through the

Sunkist Growers Inc., a citrus marketing cooperative founded in 1893, announced that Limoneira Co., one of its original founding members, will rejoin the organization effective Nov. 1. The move marks a meaningful reunion and a bold step forward for both companies. “This is more than a return — it’s a powerful alignment of shared history, values and vision,” said Jim Phillips, president and CEO of Sunkist Growers. “Together, we’re transforming our collective capabilities into greater value for our growers, packers and customers.” Under the new agreement, Limoneira will continue to operate as an