Page 226 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Some say online shopping is a byproduct of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that is narrow thinking. The leading driver of ordering groceries online is convenience (46 percent), while less than 10 percent of people reported health concerns as the primary motivation, according to the 2022 Online Grocery Usership survey by Chicory, a CPG/grocery digital commerce platform. In fact, the survey suggests that online shopping is more popular now than it was at the height of the pandemic, as 72 percent of tho...

Nearly 120 people attended the 2022 Texas Produce Hall of Fame banquet and ceremony on Monday evening, Jan. 24, at the Mission Event Center in Mission, TX. Organized by the Texas International Produce Association, the Hall of Fame has been a proud tradition since 1988. For 34 years, the event has recognized industry leaders who have made exceptional contributions crucial to the long-term success of the trade.

Soli Organic Inc. plans to build a new soil-based, controlled environment agriculture farm in Marysville, WA. The 130,000-square-foot farm will supply 5 million pounds of affordable USDA certified organic herbs and leafy greens each year and support 150 local, well-paying jobs in the Seattle area. Soli is a soil-based, controlled environment agriculture company delivering 100 percent USDA certified organic produce to more than 20,000 retail stores nationwide.

As the Super Bowl approaches, produce experts at Meijer say avocados are already the leading MVP candidate on grocery lists this year. The retailer reports that large avocados trended in December with a surprising sale surge doubling 2021 and continue to be a top grocery trend in the early months this year, with customers adding more than 1 million avocados per week to shopping carts across the Midwest.

As part of the inaugural AgTechX Food Safety event hosted by the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, the Center for Produce Safety and the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, WG introduced the AgTechX Food Safety Cohort, a global group of innovators specializing in prevention technologies and rapid diagnostics who will receive exclusive resources to help them launch and scale their projects.

What does the founder of Frieda's, the late Frieda Rapoport Caplan, and the Pantone Color of the Year, Very Peri, have in common? They both are known for displaying a joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression.

Consumers are stockpiling Autumn Glory apple supplies, and according to Nielsen data the apple was up 34 percent in volume against a category that was down 2 percent.

SpartanNash expanded its partnership with food waste reduction company Flashfood with the addition of 44 Family Fare and VG's Grocery store locations throughout Michigan, Iowa and Nebraska. SpartanNash was the first company to introduce Flashfood in Michigan and Indiana through its pilot program at Family Fare and Martin's Super Markets. The latest expansion brings the first-ever Flashfood locations to stores in Nebraska and Iowa.

The Washington Apple Education Foundation has hired Faviola Barbosa as its new executive director. 

The markets on some vegetables are a bit irregular. Florida has dealt with freezing temperatures that could affect some product for upcoming weeks. Damage is still being assessed on the impact of eggplant, lettuce, corn, beans and other sensitive crops. The markets could be in a fluctuant range for a few weeks.