Page 21 - Roduce Marketers News Today

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales by 17.2 percent but decreased in volume sales by 1.3 percent from October through December 2022 compared to the same time frame a year ago. Despite a slight decrease, volume sales remain above pre-pandemic levels.

February is the perfect time to promote all the summer fruit from South America. There is a great variety of items to set up nice attractive displays in and around the produce department and store locations. The product supplies and quality is excellent overall. Here are items every retailer can choose when putting together your merchandising layout plan:

Since the 17th century, families have been serving delicious meals made in slow cookers. Set it and forget it by adding fresh ingredients to a pot and letting the flavors come together. A transition from fire-based outdoor cooking to the convenience of plugging in.

Chile has shipped 58 percent more volume to the U.S. compared to the same time last year, and Chilean cherry promotions have been in full swing since late December. In addition to point-of-sale material, videos, new recipes, custom digital ads and in-store merchandising support, the committee has engaged in several new programs, including influencer marketing and TikTok.

IMG Citrus added Giorgio Peirano to its leadership team. Originally from Chile, Peirano spent much of his career in Europe and South America as an exporter of citrus and other produce, including kiwifruit, onions and avocados. In addition to his 20 years of experience, he holds a degree in agronomic engineering and a master's in business administration.

CMI’s freshest CatStats report, released Jan. 31, demonstrates Ambrosia Gold’s remarkable performance and shares CMI’s role in the extraordinary success of the variety in U.S. markets.

Today ALDI unveiled its completed regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, AL, which will ultimately serve as many as 100 stores across the Gulf Coast. As one of America's fastest growing grocers, ALDI said it is committed to bringing fresh, award-winning groceries and products at an affordable price to consumers from coast to coast, and the Loxley distribution center will support this commitment. 

Freshouse, based in Salisbury, NC, has hired Teri Miller as business analyst and customer development specialist. Miller brings 16 years of experience in the produce industry, specializing in category management and procurement. She has worked primarily on the retailer side, both at Food Lion and The Fresh Market, forming relationships with leading produce companies and growers.

As a fifth-generation-owned family farm, Mother Earth has a long legacy in organic mushrooms that has earned the company a great deal of respect. Today, Mother Earth manages 53 growing houses throughout southern Chester County in West Grove, Oxford and Landenberg, PA, and has built a robust legacy in the organic mushroom industry.  In 2022, the company saw success on many levels and enter 2023 in a good frame of mind.  

The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission Inc. is a nonprofit corporation made up of more than 400 sweetpotato growers along with the packers, processors and business associates that support them.  “The sole purpose of the commission is to increase sweetpotato consumption through education, promotional activities, research and honorable horticultural practices among its producers,” said Michelle Grainger, executive director of the commission.