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

The Jersey Fresh brand is the longest running state agricultural marketing and quality assurance program in the country, having started just over 40 years ago in 1984. Since then, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has focused on promoting the local, New Jersey growers throughout the state each and every Jersey Fresh season. Every year, we purchase ample Jersey Fresh point-of-purchase materials to have available for our retail, wholesale and grower partners for in-store or at-market promotions such as banners, bin wraps, pennants, aprons, hats and price cards. In addition, your customers

Whole Foods Market opened the third location of its smaller format store concept, Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, located in Hell’s Kitchen. The 8,500-square-foot store features more than 400 local items from the Northeast, each meeting Whole Foods Market’s rigorous quality standards. “I am honored to help open the third Whole Foods Market Daily Shop in New York City. This neighborhood is very dynamic — we’re steps away from great entertainment and some of the best restaurants in the City,” said Joel Jimenez, store team leader for Whole Foods Market Daily Shop. “If you need a quick lunch, some

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against International Fresh Produce LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The company, operating from Texas, allegedly failed to make payment promptly to 12 produce sellers in the amount of $161,510 from January 2024 through September 2024. International Fresh Produce LLC will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry as a licensee for three years, or two years

As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency, education and customer connection, Markon will host its Customer Tour series in California’s Salinas Valley — known as the Salad Bowl of the World. Markon started off the year strong with a springtime Yuma, AZ, tour, and is now kicking off the Summer of Salinas, inviting restaurant owner-operators and Markon Cooperative’s member representatives to see the extraordinary care and expertise behind the fresh produce they sell and serve every day. The first Customer Tour will take place on June 9, with a second scheduled for July and the final in

As the floriculture industry looks ahead to 2025, one thing is clear: consumer expectations are evolving—and the next wave of growth may come from places we haven’t fully explored. One of those places? Scent. In a recent takeover episode of The Bloom Show, Dr. Melinda Knuth, assistant professor at NC State University and host of the Growing the Future podcast, offered a refreshing take on floriculture marketing. Rather than presenting a finished case study, she shared a research-driven hypothesis: could scent be a meaningful, untapped layer of the floral experience? Drawing from horticulture