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Articles by Tom Burfield
How Tech is Tackling Food Waste in the Fresh Produce Supply Chain
Two 2026 Packer 25 honorees share how innovative technology, processes and materials aim to cut waste. • October 12, 2026 10:33 AM Compost bin is overfull with vegetable scraps A hand holds a banana peel over the pile. (Photo: stokkete, Adobe Stock) Food waste, once considered a niche environmental concern, has exploded to become a major issue facing everyone from grower-shippers to retailers to consumers themselves. And for good reason.
Packer 25: Gordon Robertson
Meet Gordon Robertson, general manager, North America, Fresh Inset Solutions, and one of the 2026 Packer 25 honorees. • October 05, 2026 09:12 AM (Farm Journal/The Packer) What is the single most urgent shift the produce industry must make today to ensure it remains sustainable and profitable in 2030 and beyond? “The single most urgent shift the produce industry must make today is to adopt innovation and advanced technologies that enhance efficiency, profitability, food safety and sustainability.
Packer 25: Erik Brown
Meet Erik Brown, vice president, business development, produce division, JOH and one of the 2026 Packer 25 honorees. • October 05, 2026 09:06 AM (Farm Journal/The Packer) What is the single most urgent shift the produce industry must make today to ensure it remains sustainable and profitable in 2030 and beyond? “The biggest thing for me and for the industry is to make sure we’re maximizing freight.
Packer 25: Monique Mueller
Meet Monique Mueller, director of communications, Bee Sweet Citrus, and one of the 2026 Packer 25 honorees. • October 05, 2026 09:13 AM (Farm Journal/The Packer) What is the single most urgent shift the produce industry must make today to ensure it remains sustainable and profitable in 2030 and beyond? “Investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders is critical to securing the future of produce and the agriculture industry as a whole.
Packer 25: Tony Mitchell
Meet Tony Mitchell, executive vice president of strategic partnerships, FreshEdge Prepared Solutions and one of the 2026 Packer 25’s honorees. • October 05, 2026 09:14 AM (Farm Journal/The Packer) What is the single most urgent shift the produce industry must make today to ensure it remains sustainable and profitable in 2030 and beyond?
Packer 25: Blake Branen
Meet Blake Branen, director of sales and marketing for J.C. Watson Packing Co., and one of the 2026 Packer 25 honorees. • October 05, 2026 09:05 AM (Farm Journal/The Packer) What is the single most urgent shift the produce industry must make today to ensure it remains sustainable and profitable in 2030 and beyond? “The most important shift I believe our industry needs to make by 2030 is becoming better connected not just technologically, but across the entire supply chain.
How Sweetpotato Shippers Are Driving Year-Round Retail Growth
Through targeted promotions, specialty varieties and creative cross-merchandising, grower-shippers and retailers are expanding sweetpotato consumption far beyond the holiday season.
What Fresh Produce Can Gain From GLP-1 Weight Loss Trend
As shoppers on a GLP-1 medication program turn to diets that support their well-being, fruits and vegetables have an opportunity to take center stage. • October 01, 2026 11:36 AM Chef Fabi Martinez, left, of Melissa’s Produce in Los Angeles, and sports nutritionist Heidi Skolnik, author of “Your GLP-1 Game Plan: What You Doctor Didn’t Tell You About How to Eat, Move, and Thrive on Weight Loss Medications,” make Protein Pancakes with Berry Salad in the company’s test kitchen Sept.
The Packer — October 5, 2026
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Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and Acquisitions in the Produce Industry Stay ahead of fresh produce market shifts with a look at the latest mergers, acquisitions and deals reshaping the industry and driving growth.
Innovation and Fresh Insights Drive the Upcoming IFPA Global Show
Just about everyone who’s anyone in the produce industry will be on hand for the International Fresh Produce Association’s annual Global Produce and Floral Show in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 14-16. Here’s a look at some of the products many of them will be touting — and why they think the show is a must-attend event.
IFPA Global Show to Feature Changes, Connections and Key Insights in Orlando
From a major Wednesday-to-Friday schedule shift to new supply chain tours and breeder showcases, IFPA outlines how its 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show is evolving to help attendees maximize weekday business. • September 22, 2026 10:33 AM Attendees gather at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Fla.
The Packer — September 21, 2026
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California Walnut Board Targets Produce Section for Fall Push
Capitalizing on a 15.6% sales surge, the board is launching aggressive fall promotions to move walnuts into the produce aisle alongside fresh, whole foods. • September 17, 2026 07:07 PM The California walnut harvest is now underway, and with fall historically a big season for walnut sales, the California Walnut Board and Commission is launching fall/holiday promotions in September and October, says Robert Verloop, CEO and executive director.
Peru Plays Key Role in Filling the Vidalia Void
When Vidalia season ends in early September, growers of Peruvian sweet onions step in to keep store shelves stocked, creating consistency that helps to build consumer recognition and brand loyalty year-round. • September 09, 2026 05:21 AM “Peruvian sweet onions create consistency at the shelf, providing a similar look and flavor to the world-famous, highly versatile Vidalia sweet onion when it is out of season,” says John Shuman of Shuman Farms.
How an Off-Season Sweet Onion Solution Fills the Gap at Retail
Peruvian sweet onions have cemented their status as the off-season gold standard for Vidalias, keeping category volume high through seamless merchandising, flexible display formats and strategic holiday cross-promotions. • August 31, 2026 05:46 PM “The supply chain has matured significantly, and the quality and consistency of the current Peruvian crop are excellent,” says Mike Tipton of Schnuck Markets Inc.
Peruvian Sweet Onion Programs Hold Firm Amid Cost Pressures
Despite rising operational costs and potential acreage cuts in Peru, major U.S. importers report steady volume, high quality and refreshed marketing programs as the Peruvian sweet onion season kicks off to bridge the Vidalia gap. • August 28, 2026 04:29 PM Jon Dorminey, right, vice president of operations for G&R Farms, and grower Yovanni Miranda check the status of Peruvian onions marketed by G&R Farms.
The Promise and Pitfalls of Compostable Packaging
While compostable packaging offers promising circular sustainability for produce, widespread adoption remains constrained by higher costs and performance trade-offs. • August 20, 2026 10:22 AM “While interest remains strong, higher packaging costs can make widespread adoption challenging, unless the benefits clearly justify the additional investment,” says Alysha Lowe of Sev-Rend.
Mandate to Lower Single-Use Plastics Raises Concerns
Several deadlines set by California’s SB 54 — the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act — have come and gone, but some producers impacted by the controversial legislation still question its feasibility. • August 16, 2026 06:00 PM “We’re already dealing with water, labor, energy and food safety audits, and now this is just another layer of cost and paperwork,” says Justin Bedwell of Bari Produce LLC, sharing concerns on SB 54.
Boston Bound: NEPC 2026 to Showcase Latest Produce Innovations, Networking Opportunities
More than 180 exhibitors are preparing to showcase some of their newest and most popular produce offerings at the New England Produce Council Produce, Floral and Food Service Expo Aug. 17-18. • August 05, 2026 04:35 AM Exhibitors say the show is big enough to matter and small enough for real conversations.
NEPC 2026 to Spotlight Networking and New Features
From an inaugural Women’s Program to its first-ever New Products Showcase, this year’s New England Produce Council Produce, Floral and Food Service Expo is poised to offer a host of new experiences, says Laura Sullivan, NEPC executive director. • August 04, 2026 06:55 AM The 26th New England Produce Council Produce, Floral and Food Service Expo will offer opportunities to connect on and off the show floor.
The Packer — August 3, 2026
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Robust Harvest and Steady Sales Signal a Healthy Garlic Season
Ideal winter conditions and sustained year-over-year volume gains have nationwide grower-shippers primed for strong market performance • July 31, 2026 08:13 AM (Photo: Leonid Nyshko, Adobe Stock) It looks like the U.S. is headed for another robust garlic season, with grower-shippers reporting good growing conditions and ample supplies. The U.S. harvests about 25,000 acres of garlic annually, 90% of which is in California, according to USDA.
Spice World Expands Garlic Lineup with New Fresh Diced Pouch Option
The Orlando-based supplier introduces 5-ounce resealable pouches of fresh diced garlic while capitalizing on surging demand among Gen Z and millennial organic buyers. • July 29, 2026 09:20 AM Refrigerated fresh diced garlic available in a 5-ounce, resealable pouch is new from Orlando, Fla.-based Spice World, says Mike Smith, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
Lower Potato Volume Brings Market Relief to Pacific Northwest Shippers
With planted acres down across major growing regions, suppliers look ahead to stabilized pricing alongside major operational upgrades and steady consumer demand. • July 29, 2026 09:03 AM Workers plant potatoes for Eagle Eye Produce, Idaho Falls, Idaho. The company offers russet, red and yellow potatoes for retail, foodservice and export customers, says Coleman Oswald, director of sales. Norkotah russet potatoes are the firm’s biggest sellers.
Pacific Northwest Onion Outlook Shows High Quality, Tighter Supply, and Stable Markets
Growers across Washington, Idaho, and Oregon prepare for late-summer harvest, eyeing solid crop development, refined packaging, and a healthier market after a tough season. • July 27, 2026 09:39 AM Onions 52, a vertically integrated grower, packer and shipper based in Ogden, Utah, specializes in yellow, red, white, organic, tearless and sweet onions, says Tiffany Cruickshank, sales representative.
How 2D Barcode Closure Labels Simplify FSMA 204 Compliance for Produce Packers
Kwik Lok outlines how integrated closure label printing helps suppliers meet strict traceability demands, streamline packaging operations, and boost consumer engagement. • July 26, 2026 05:26 PM 2D barcodes from Kwik Lok, like this one used by EarthFresh, a Canadian potato grower-shipper, can be scanned to show tracking data and allow consumers to access product information, says Karen Reed, Kwik Lok’s global director of marketing and communications.
Organic Produce Market Guide 2026
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How Organic Helps Drive Garlic Sales
Suppliers report sales of organic garlic trending upward and becoming an increasingly important piece of their business. • July 22, 2026 04:48 AM Suppliers see organic garlic sales trending upward. (Photo: Simona, Adobe Stock) Organic garlic plays a fairly small but significant role in the garlic industry.
How California’s Community Alliance with Family Farmers Provides a Voice for Small Farms
The nearly 50-year-old organization continues to advocate for family farms, sustainable agriculture and local food systems, among other causes. • July 15, 2026 02:54 PM According to the USDA’s 2022 Agricultural Census, the latest available, 60,332 farms reported more than $14.2 billion in sales to retail markets, institutions and food hubs for local or regionally branded products. That’s an increase of 31,374 farms and more than $5 billion from 2017.
Property Rights
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JJB Family Farms Brings the California Grown Message to Retail
While the Stockton, Calif.-based company markets its proprietary Modi apples and several varieties of California onions throughout the U.S. and internationally, the products are primarily distributed on the West Coast, where consumers clamor for local. • July 09, 2026 06:21 PM “Growing produce in California is challenging for a myriad of reasons, but also deeply rewarding when retailers and consumers alike embrace and support local growers like us,” says Amy Snyder, director, sales and marketing.
Industry Amps Up Homegrown Branding to Capitalize on Rising Local Produce Demand
As demand for locally grown produce rises, states are stepping up their homegrown branding programs to keep shoppers buying local. For example, New Jersey is rolling out Jersey Fresh PLU stickers, California is marking its California Grown program’s 25th birthday, Colorado Proud is debuting a Hispanic-focused logo, and Michigan is expanding its new Farm to Family initiative.
Garden State’s Jersey Fresh Brand Flourishes
Over the past 42 years, growers, shippers, retailers and consumers have come to recognize the value of the Jersey Fresh logo on the produce they buy, ship or sell. • June 22, 2026 05:58 PM Spring cilantro from Nardelli Bros. Inc., Cedarville, N.J., will feature the Jersey Fresh logo, says Bill Nardelli Sr., the company’s president and CEO. Nardelli Bros. was one of the founding members of the Jersey Fresh program.
Tristate Growers Endure Setback From Cold Snap
A devastating April freeze has pushed back the start of some late-spring and summer crops out of the Northeast, including the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut tristate area, and will impact supplies of a number of commodities. • June 16, 2026 06:47 AM Workers harvest romaine lettuce for Vineland, N.J.-based Consalo Family Farms, whose product is packed and marketed by its The Fresh Wave Fruit & Produce division.
Northeast Organic Produce Navigates Weather, Finds Niche
The New York-New Jersey-Connecticut tristate area may not be an organic powerhouse, but there is a concentration of organic farms in the area who are leveraging fertile soil and strong consumer demand to fuel success. • June 08, 2026 08:32 PM A freeze during blueberry bloom may have affected about 15% of the blueberry crop at Muzzarelli Farms in Vineland, N.J., says Charlie Muzzarelli, owner/manager. But he says that all the product that reaches the market is expected to be good quality.
A Look at the Demands Driving Shifts in How Onion Companies Operate
Some leading onion sellers and marketers say their companies have undergone major transitions since they entered the business — and the changes just keep coming. • June 02, 2026 11:00 AM One of the most significant changes that John Shuman, president and CEO of Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms, has seen over the years is a decrease in awareness of Vidalia onions among younger consumers, he says.
Citrus Importers Gear Up for South Africa Deal
U.S. importers expect to have ample supplies and seem eager for the season to get underway. • May 27, 2026 01:32 PM Early indicators point to excellent fruit quality this year that should create a good foundation for strong consumer demand and repeat purchases of clementines and other fruit that Wonderful Citrus of Delano, Calif., sources from South Africa, says Chris Cockle, vice president for imports and exports.
Legacy Fresh’s Growth Rooted in Family Foundation
The company’s story has spans from the hard work of its owner’s immigrant great-grandparents to becoming an operation known for its Hatch Valley green and red chili peppers, along with Hatch Valley sweet onions and conventional red, yellow and white onions. • May 22, 2026 03:14 PM Legacy Fresh LLC, Las Cruces, N.M. offers conventional red, yellow and white onions for retail and foodservice markets out of New Mexico during the summer, says owner Chris Franzoy.
Optimitic Outlook Projected for Summer Citrus From Chile
Growers are “expecting a great season,” which follows a 2025 citrus season that delivered strong overall export growth. • May 25, 2026 06:30 AM Chilean growers exported 173,285 tons of mandarins to the U.S. last year, up from 126,041 tons in 2024, says Karen Brux, managing director of North America for Frutas de Chile, which markets Chilean citrus. Another strong season is anticipated for 2026, she says.
What’s on Tap for the National Onion Association’s July Convention
The event, set for July 8-11 in New York, will offer an opportunity to participate in updating NOA’s food safety guidelines, which were last updated in 2022. • May 22, 2026 01:40 PM The harvester transports the onion after pulling it out of the ground (Photo: Dusan Kostic, Adobe Stock) The National Onion Association’s 2026 Summer/Regional Convention & Auction “isn’t just another meeting,” according to the organization.
Onion Growers Outline Offerings and Expectations
Supplies are anticipated to be plentiful, with high quality as warmer weather approaches, according to grower-shippers. • May 22, 2026 09:00 AM “Between our Nevada and California growing regions and our climate-controlled storage facilities, we maintain a steady, reliable supply no matter the season,” says Kelsey Weingart, brand manager for marketing at Peri & Sons Farms.
Summer Citrus: What’s in Store From a Bountiful Season
It’s an optimistic outlook from growers and importers, who expect strong supplies from domestic and offshore crops. • May 20, 2026 06:00 PM Vineland, N.J.-based Consalo Family Farms is expanding its citrus import program with increased volume from South Africa, Chile and Peru to support new business and expanded retail programs, says Casey Kio, executive vice president of global business for the grower, whose product is marketed and packed by its FreshWave Fruit and Produce division.
Berry Boost: Merchandising Advice to Help Drive Sales
Berries bring several qualities to motivate shoppers to buy, but retailers can enhance purchase possibilities with these tips and techniques. • May 19, 2026 03:30 PM (Photo: M.studio, Adobe Stock) Taste, nutrition content and the grab-and-go factor might prompt consumers to put berries on their shopping list, but purchases might also be driven in-store by creative displays and innovative merchandising techniques, grower-shippers say.
Strong Demand Awaits Berries as Harvests Ramp Up
Companies readying supplies blueberries, blackberries and raspberries as shoppers continue to crave berries. • May 15, 2026 03:20 PM Traverse City, Mich.-based North Bay Produce is a year-round shipper of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, says Aaron Hunter of the company’s sales, procurement and category management team. (Photo courtesy of North Bay Produce) Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries continue to lure shoppers into the produce department.
Why Berry Growers See Sustainable Operations as Essential
Sustainability has become a core expectation for production as companies prioritize innovations and efficiencies. • May 14, 2026 09:02 AM (Photo: Morakot, Adobe Stock) Innovative farming techniques, the latest energy conservation programs and efficiencies to reduce their carbon footprint are some of the practices berry grower-shippers have implemented to meet their sustainability goals.
What to Expect From a Promising Strawberry Season
The popular berries have had good numbers with shipping so far, with plenty of retail opportunities expected entering summer holidays. • May 07, 2026 03:10 PM Overall strawberry quality is strong this season, with good flavor, firmness and sizing “aligned with our premium standards,” says Brad Peterson, director of business development for Watsonville, Calif.-based California Giant Berry Farms.
California Eyes Ample Supplies for Summer Fruit Promotions
With favorable crop conditions reported for California fruits like berries, citrus and melons, some major grower-shippers in the state are gearing up for promotions to help boost summer sales. • April 26, 2026 07:34 PM California blueberries will peak during the last two weeks of May and the first week of June, which will make an ideal promotion window, says Brad Peterson, director of business development for California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, Calif.
Popularity of Consumer Packs Continues to Grow for Lemons and Limes
Suppliers are prioritizing value and convenience in this increasingly popular packaging. • April 22, 2026 07:17 AM Spring and summer include many opportunities to showcase lemons and limes in displays throughout the store due to their versatility. (Photo: Lightfield Studios, Adobe Stock) Suppliers of lemons and limes are going all out to come up with packaging that offers consumers both convenience and value.
Golden State Crops Show Promise
California’s produce industry is anticipating a robust 2026 season with increased strawberry yields, steady table grape volumes and high-quality stone fruit, all supported by early harvests and aggressive global marketing campaigns.
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