Page 76 - Roduce Editorials News Today

ProducePay released findings of a national survey that examined the day-to-day challenges of U.S. produce growers and buyers. ProducePay’s survey findings shine a light on the immediate needs around improving efficiency and profitability in the produce supply chain — particularly as the industry contends with record inflation, rising production costs, supply chain disruptions, and extreme weather events.

PPC Flexible Packaging LLC, a leading provider of custom flexible packaging, announced the acquisition of Kansas City, KS-based Plastic Packaging Technologies LLC.

Halloween is 10 days away, which, of course, means it’s time to think about the holiday season. Generally, consumers loosen their wallets a little around the holidays when it comes to their food purchases. However, with inflation the way it is there is concern about what kind of spending consumers plan to do this year.

SiCar Farms recently acquired 4,000 acres and is building a state-of-the-art packinghouse facility in the southeast region of Mexico. With this addition, now the (Gudino Ochoa) GO Group has secured land in all the main production zones of Mexico. This investment will result in meeting consumer demand year-round and specifically during the winter season.

Craig MinichielloThe New England Prod

Ongoing inflation resulted in higher retail prices of organic fresh produce during the third quarter of 2022, generating a 4.1 percent increase in total organic dollars but also contributing to a decline of 4.5 percent in organic volume compared to the same period last year, according to the Q3 2022 Organic Produce Performance Report released by Organic Produce Network and Category Partners.

Windset Farms and Verdant Technologies will partner on a retail pilot for tomatoes-on-the-vine supplied from Mexico into select retailers in the U.S., with the intent to expand into additional locations. Windset will use Verdant’s HarvestHold Fresh, a postharvest shelf-life extension solution. The retail pilot is expected to launch this month.

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. launched its newest pineapple product in North America: Grandissimo Gold. As the latest addition to Fresh Del Monte’s line of pineapples, Grandissimo Gold is a larger-sized pineapple offering the same quality, sweetness and nutritional benefits of a traditional Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet pineapple at a greater value.

After 30 years of dedicated service to Harris Teeter and a total of 47 years in the industry, Mark Hilton, vice president of produce merchandising has announced he will retire Nov. 30 this year. Hilton began his career with Harris Teeter in 1992 as manager of produce merchandising, was promoted to director of produce and floral in 1995 and in 2001 was named vice president of produce and floral.

Ocean Mist Farms, a leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in the U.S., hired Mark Munger as its senior director of marketing. With this hiring, Ocean Mist Farms has brought on an experienced professional with over 36 years in the produce industry.