Page 30 - Roduce Editorials News Today

Mike Manderson is taking on an expanded role at Church Bros., effective immediately. Manderson joined Church Bros. in June of 2022 as vice president of warehousing, distribution and fulfillment. In his time at the company, Manderson has made significant strides at improving processes and streamlining operations and will now take on leadership of the appointment loading and logistics departments.

Bard Valley Natural Delights is bringing big date energy into 2023 thanks to Whole Foods’ newest trend report, 2022 year-end IRI data, and consumer focus group results. The brand is primed not only for a year spotlighting the use of Medjool dates, but as the preferred brand in the category.

In spite of all the problems we've had with COVID-19, weather and inflation, I still see fully stocked and attractive produce departments in all of my visits to the stores. This is attributed to how well every level in our industry operates. From the growers to the produce managers, the product always gets through to the consumers.

Ocean Mist Farms is expecting an outstanding 2023 winter artichoke season with abundant volume and excellent quality throughout February and early March. In time to meet shopper demand around healthy eating choices, as well as being a staple ingredient in comfort food during the winter months, this increased supply of artichokes provides retailers an opportunity for a seasonal boost in category sales.

Situated on the Michigan Produce Terminal in Detroit, Ben B. Schwartz & Sons serves local and national chain stores, as well as foodservice providers. The company’s distribution network ranges to most areas of the United States and also into Canada, and it has continued expanding yearly. Ben B. Schwartz has been in business since 1906 and is fourth-generation owned. Ben Schwartz started the company as a produce retailer in Cadillac Square downtown Detroit. From there the business grew to...

Fowler Farms offers approximately 20 different apple varieties and also has several different types of ciders, so the company knows apples well. Austin Fowler, co-owner of the Wolcott, NY-based company, has been surrounded by apples for most of his life, so he understands what it takes to be a success in the segment as well as anyone.

Wakefern Food Corp., one of the largest retailer-owned supermarket cooperatives in the U.S. with banners including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Fairway Market, Gourmet Garage and Dearborn Market, has launched an autonomous convenience shop for associates to test at its company offices in Edison, NJ.

Crunch Time Apple Growers of Lockport, NY, reports its exclusive offering, RubyFrost, is up 25 percent this crop year. Described as an all-purpose apple, RubyFrost is known for its deep red skin and bright white flesh, ideal for baking or setting out on the counter for a grab-and-go snack.

Over the last decade, the apple category has evolved to sate a growing appetite for organics. Consumers crave new and exciting flavors; CMI feeds that hunger with a fourth tier of selling power devoted to high-flavor, branded organics available in one place. This is the perfect time to capitalize on that hunger and trade shoppers up, deliver incremental sales for the apple category, and give shoppers organic options that satiates their desire to eat well.

Following meetings last week with new members of the 118th Congress, International Fresh Produce Association government relations staff and a small group of IFPA members met with incoming House Agriculture Committee Chair Representative GT Thompson (PA15-R) and other key House leaders at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Jan. 13.