Trendspotting: Thanksgiving favorite, sweet potatoes, cost more this year
The best part of the holiday season is the food — at least it used to be. As grocery prices skyrocket, many Americans are concerned about serving a Thanksgiving-worthy dinner in two days. Those worries were assuaged a little when the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual survey revealed that the cost of cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner has gone down about 5 percent compared to last year.
Oppy accelerates sustainability momentum
Oppy has released the third edition of its annual sustainability report showcasing continued progress and new initiatives across its five key focus areas: greenhouse gas emissions, water use, food waste, sustainable packaging, and the people and communities where it operates.
Shuman Farms targeting Millennial and Gen Z consumers with sweet onions
As the industry heads into the final stretch of the year, Shuman Farms is gearing up for the New York Produce Show with the message that sweet onions remain one of the most versatile, valuable and shopper-friendly items in the department.
Phillips Mushroom Farms showcasing vegan stuffed mushroom at NYPS
Phillips Mushroom Farms will return to the New York Produce Show & Conference, continuing a long-standing tradition of participation and relationship building at one of the produce industry’s most influential annual events.
AFE donor spotlight: Pete and Brenda S. Garcia
For more than half a century, Pete and Brenda S. Garcia have worked to strengthen and support the floral industry. Together, they grew the Pete Garcia Co., the Garcia Group and several other companies while consistently finding ways to give back.
Lettuce point out this meth smuggler has the right to Romaine silent
In a salad unfit for this year’s Thanksgiving table, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Pharr, TX, intercepted $10.3 million in alleged methamphetamine concealed in a shipment of lettuce.
Building relationships key to Nash Produce’s mission at NYPS
The New York Produce Show provides Nash Produce a unique opportunity to connect with its northeastern customers and inform potential customers in the region about its reputation and service as a major supplier of sweet potatoes.
Moonland Produce reinforces industry presence with expanded storage, ripening and repacking services
Moonland Produce Inc., a longtime player in California’s produce industry, is making major strides to strengthen its position as a premier resource for temperature-controlled storage, ripening and repacking services.
Hapco Farms hires Kevin Fix to lead carrot program
Hapco Farms, a leading East Coast grower-shipper based in Westhampton Beach, NY, has hired Kevin Fix as vice president of business development, with a primary focus on advancing the company’s carrot program across Florida and Canada. Fix brings more than 24 years of experience in fresh produce, CPG, distribution, logistics and transportation — most recently with Bolthouse Cos.
Vanguard names Dwight Ferguson to board of managers
Vanguard Food LP, a newly formed holding company anchored by Village Fresh Greenhouse Grown and backed by Sweat Equities and Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, announced the appointment of Dwight Ferguson to its board of managers. Ferguson brings more than three decades of senior leadership experience across the global fresh produce and perishable goods industries.