Blue Book Services

Links today include an Amazon executive on its grocery push, analyzing the evolving produce market, Sprouts' new CEO's challenge, and more. Good afternoon! It’s Friday, September 4, 2026. Happy Labor Day! Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Volume is steady with multiple growing regions now in play. Markon Cooperative BB #:123315 released this red and yellow potato crop update September 4, 2026: Markon First Crop (MFC) Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Volume is steady with multiple growing regions now in play, and more to start over the next several weeks. Markets are steady.

September 3, 2026 BAYTOWN, Texas – Foremost Fresh Direct (FFD) BB #:355744 announced the addition of Brandon Rankin as Vice President of Sales to its team in Baytown, Texas. Foremost Fresh Direct is a leading provider of cold storage and import logistics services in the Houston region, as well as globally sourced fresh produce supply, sales, and distribution.

PORTLAND, OR, Sept. 1, 2026 – As fruit-forward flavors continue to appear across coffee shops, bakery and restaurant menus, USA Pears BB #162426 is making the case for one fruit with untapped potential: the pear. USA Pears is partnering locally with Portland-based Blue Star Donuts to launch two limited-time menu items that demonstrate the culinary versatility of pears and how they can move beyond the produce aisle in delicious and innovative ways.

Blue Book Services has partnered with CarrierSource to highlight the top-rated trucking companies located near primary produce shipping hubs. Blue Book Services has partnered with CarrierSource to highlight the top-rated trucking companies located near primary produce shipping hubs. Each week we’ll feature a different key location. Results are sorted based on real broker and shipper reviews that have been moderated and verified by CarrierSource to ensure the highest level of integrity.

September 3, 2026 Houston, TX – We are pleased to announce the expansion of EarthFresh BB #:115750 and Kamper Farms into Western Canada through the creation of a new packing company, Wild Rose Packing Inc. This joint partnership between EarthFresh and Kamper Farms is established as a new potato & onion packing company based in Southern Alberta.

As the nation’s largest traditional retailer, Kroger BB #:100073 generates a lot of news and analysis. It is not shy in making news either. In the past few years, it had one of the highest profile grocery mergers, with Albertsons, fall apart; it reversed course on automated warehouses for e-commerce; and it parted ways with its CEO under an ethical cloud.

September 2, 2026 — Williamsville, NY — To kickoff what Western New Yorkers are already crowning a victory season, Tops Friendly Markets BB #:103173 is teaming up with the Allen Family once again to bring fresh, sweet flavor and now fashion, to customers across Western New York.

Millen, GA — August 31, 2026 — Consumers are handing more of their food decisions to artificial intelligence: what to cook, what to buy, what to eat. For an industry that has spent decades competing for attention in the aisle and in the weekly circular, that raises an uncomfortable question — when the recommendation comes from a chatbot, is fresh produce part of it? The Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) BB #:191194 What’s New? 2026 consumer research takes on that question directly.

Millen, GA — August 2026 — The rapid rise of GLP-1 medications is reshaping the national conversation around health and nutrition. What is far less understood is what they are doing inside the grocery store — and how these consumers shop, plan meals and engage with fresh produce. The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) BB #:191194 will answer that question with its sixth annual What’s New? 2026 consumer research during an educational session at Southern Innovations on Thursday, Sept.