Via online issue. 3 pages., Summary of panel discussion at a Virtual Town Hall meeting of the Produce Marketing Association. Panelists noted how greenhouse technologies can soften the blow of climate change.
Online from publication. 1 page., Produce Market Guide magazine invites applicants for a new Produce Artist Award to honor the work of merchandisers bringing seasonality to life in produce departments with large, creative displays that show shoppers which fruits and vegetables are plentiful, delicious and a great value in a given week.
Article online from publication issue. 3 pages., Report of a panel discussion during the Produce Marketing Association virtual conference, "Foodservice: delivered virtual." One panelist noted that the coronavirus pandemic has "brought the restaurant to you, in your home. And it's here to stay." And it includes not only restaurants, but also the purveyors - "farmers and everybody." One panelist advised the foodservice industry to give back to a community, even while suffering financially. "When we think of what it means to be in hospitality, it means to serve. This is a call to action. Think of ways to serve."
2 pages, Online from publication. 2 pages., Food Marketing Institute's 2020 Power of Produce Report indicated that the power of local produce is not fading. More than 50% of respondents said they would like to see a greater assortment of locally grown produce at their primary store. Great promotions, displaying items in season and eye-catching displays were identified as most effective at driving impulse purchases, which tend to involve local produce.
Online from publisher. 1 page., Consultant author identifies four trends he expects in retailing - in general and in food produce departments in particular.
Online from publisher. 3 pages., Highlights and cited reactions to a 10-year plan, "New Era for Smarter Food Safety," from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Four key elements: tech-enabled traceability, smarter tools and approaches for prevention and outbreak response, new business models (such as e-commerce) and retail food modernization, and food safety culture.
Online from publisher. 3 pages., Case examples in the eastern U.S. of consumer food buying from local, -in-state, and regional producers, with expressions of increased interest and preference.
Online from publisher. 2 pages., Author suggests that while many in the produce industry use "sustainability" and "stewardship" as interchangeable terms,they are not. "True sustainability is a mindset that is international in its approach, purposeful in the value it adds to all stakeholders, resource-optimized for operations, circular in thinking, supply chain resilient, ecologically friendly and culturally attuned."
From publisher via online. 1 page., Describes communications plans by the Pear Bureau Northwest. "The freshly redesigned World Pear Day logo provides retailers and consumers with an exciting look that connects to messages of nutritional eating."
Online from publisher. 2 pages., "The effects of misinformation during a pandemic, especially via social media, highlight how important it is for produce companies to have a clear, correct, calm message." Author cites importance of being sensitive to the needs of those being served. Cites examples of adjusted messaging during the COVID-19 pamdemic.
Online from publication. 2 pages., Author reported on a presentation at the West Coast Produce Exposition. The speaker observed, "I think we've got a wild ride for the foreseeable future here, and noted that consumers will continue to order groceries online, and the "click and collect" model may have staing power through the crisis and beyond."
Online from publication. 3 pages., "Retailers care about sustainability because consumers care, but for many the pursuit of sustainability tends to be more of an afterthought than top priority. Sustainability is valued highly by growers, retailers and consumers, but there is not always common understanding of what it means."
Online from publication. 5 pages., Summary of a survey among U.S. consumers, performed by Aimpoint Research for The Packer. Findings suggested that the lack of a concrete definition of sustainability points to the need to earn consumers' trust regarding the food industry.
Online from publications. 3 pages., Report of thoughts about dealing with foodservice staffing and labor challenges from the chief operating officer of DNO Produce, Columbus, Ohio.
Online from publication. 7 pages., Merchandiser of fresh produce explains how theater events in a produce department can create fun and excitement and can make memorable impressions on customers.
Online from publication. 4 pages., Report about a panel presentation at a meeting of the Produce Marketing Association. Panelist moderator reported that food delivery services such as Grubhub, DoorDash and Postmates can charge restaurants 20-35 percent commission per order, in addition to the monthly fee for the service. Customers typically pay a delivery fee, a driver tip, and sales tax. The moderator urged restaurants, "Be smart about where your money is spent, and be firm, and try and make it a good experience for yourself and your customers."
Online from publication. 3 pages., Perspectives from four restaurant chain executives at a conference of the Produce Marketing Assocition. Focus on deeper connections with supply partners, labor savings through technology, and more racial diversity at top levels. "...the truth is, this country runs on foodservice."
Online from publication. 1 page., Describes growth of consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in the U.S., beginning in 1970 with introduction of the popular Miss Chiquita character and follow-up promotional efforts.
Online from publication. 1 page., Author provides selected excerpts of six comments in response to the Food and Drug Administration's proposed rule on its designation of high-risk foods for tracing.
Online from publication. 2 pages., Report of plans by American Pistachio Growers to promote sale of pistachios by television, print and digital advertising.
Online from publication. 1 page., Summary of a survey among residents in the Bay Area of California by the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. Findings indicated that 77 percent of the respondents considered agriculture "most" or "very" important. A majority also appeared to understand issues that face frmers, including employment of guest workers through the H-2A program.
Online from publication. 3 oages,, Sponsored article summarizes IRI survey data on seasonality of potato sales, purchase levels, and shopper responses to several display strategies.
Online from publication. 2 pages., Report of a panel discussion at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit. Includes reference to need in marketing communications for greater orientation to consumer needs and desires.
Online from publication. 3 pages., Report of USDA decision to suspend a report used to set wages for guest workers in the H-2A program in 2021, with examples of responses and implications.
Online from publication. 2 pages., Report of success with using an avocado grove as the setting for a virtual meeting with customers. The concept involves videos and photos from the Index Fresh company's field department, "allowing the sales team to provide more in-depth information and personalized advice to customers.
Online from publication. 3 pages., "As we find evermore convenient ways to serve customers and work smarter, let's not lose the human touch. We all need it, no matter our age or location."
Online from publication. 2 pages., Author notes how, in the food marketing complex, diversification can help a business survive in this changing industry.
Online from publication. 3 pages., Author reports on a panel discussion about managing workforce challenges in a COVID-19 environment. Speakers advised that during pandemics or other challenging situations employers should communicate with their employees and other stakeholders, even when plans and next steps are not in place. Other counsel: be transparent, tell (and show) employees that you care and are doing something, provide opportunity for them to talk, ask questions, create an anonymous hotline. send email updates.
Online from publication. 2 pages., Report of a Food Impact Award presented to Food Fight GA, an organization established during the COVID-19 pandemic to help Atlanta-area restaurant workers and farmers who supply the restaurants. The organization distributed nearly 4,000 produce boxes to restaurant workers and farmers.
Online from publication. 4 pages., Introduction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's proposed rule, called "Requirements for additional traceability records for certain foods." Reporter notes, "The industry has been waiting for this shoe to drop for years."
4 pages, Online subscription. 4 pages., Summary of grocery shopping patterns during the first 10 months of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S.
Online via subscription. 2 pages., Introduction to the Farm Journal Foundation's America's Conservation Ag Movement, "a diverse conservation - and sustainability-focused public-private partnership."
Online via subscription. 5 pages., Article summarizes results of a survey among farmers and consumers conducted by Aimpoint Research for The Packer. Findings showed that growers believe they best understand sustainability while believing that very few if any food retailers and consumers completely understand it. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed consumers said they believed sustainability efforts from the food industry are a response to their demands rather than industry driven by industry while two-thirds of growers said they believe sustainability efforts are industry driven. Report also compared beliefs by growers and consumers about where they get sustainability information.
Online from publication. 4 pages., Outlook perspectives from a panel of leaders of three of the largest organic fresh produce companies during the Organic Grower Summit Roundtable, December 9, 2020.
Online from periodical. 7 pages., Senior merchandiser of a produce wholesaler reports recent examples of successful events and displays in retail marketing of mushrooms and apples. "So, produce world, what will your customers see next when the curtain rises in your department? Create theater, create opportunity, and create sales!"
Online from periodical., Article briefly describes research indicating the windows of opportunity for encouraging babies to eat and like fruits and vegetables.
Online from periodical. 2 pages., Describes promotion activities of an apple growers cooperative, The Next Big Thing. with growers in Canada and five U.S. states.
Online from periodical. 2 pages., Results of BrickMeetsClick/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey indicated that roughly 37.5 million U.S. households (29%) used online grocery services in the month of August. That number represents a 133% increase from a year ago. "These results reinforce that grocery delivery and pickup services will continue to play an important role for both shoppers and retailers going forward."
Online from periodical. 3 pages., Article reports observations from several marketers of potatoes. One marketing director observed, "We anticipate consumers will still maintain their shift to eating at home even when we approach a new normal."
Online from periodical. 5 pages., Article reports on promotion approaches that retailers are finding useful in marketing apples during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online from periodical. 2 pages., Report of a presentation at the West Coast Produce Expo about Amazon's new Fresh banner, with establishment of small and medium-sized grocery stores.
Online from publisher. 2 pages., Announces a new series of stickers placed on individual bananas. These stickers feature a combination of vitamins and nutrients found in Chiquita bananas.
Online from publication. 2 pages., Report on retail grocers using retail display sleeves to capture the attention of shoppers seeking a suitable side dish for their prepared, at-home meals. Cited as specially effective for secondary display at the meat counter or in the seafood department. "MountainKing's display sleeves present images of various meal possibilities with the company's different potato varieties."
Online from publication. 3 pages., Author compares the produce departments of two food stores, in terms of appearance, organization, selection, and staff assistance. Emphasizes how loyal customer retention affects grocery bills, which are "everyone's single-largest bill, behind a mortgage or rent."
Online from publisher. 4 pages., "Building trust in food begins with empowering farmers through one of the largest and most diverse conservation- and sustainability-focused pulic-private partnerships in our nation's history."
Online from publisher. 4 pages., "There are several ways to ensure profitability when considering whether to add distribution or delivery services to your company. Those same methods also can help you evaluate whether the services you already offer are making you money."
Online from periodical. 4 pages., In a report from the Packer's 2021 Global Organic Produce Expo, author cited speakers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Organic Trade Association. They indicated that the trend arrow is still pointing up for organic produce. Data from 2019 indicated that numerous organic fruit and vegetable crops have seen sharp increases since 2016. The Association estimated that about 14 percent of all produce sold in the U.S. is organic.
Via online issue. 3 pages., Results of a 2020 study by the Produce for Better Health Foundation indicate that fruit and vegetable consumption in the U.S. has declined almost 10 percent since 2004.
Online from publication. 3 pages., Report of a conversation with Hugo Hays, global director of compliance and food safety for international banana firm, Fyffes.
Online via the publication. 3 pages., Findings of a poll by The Packer indicated that "properly administered social responsibility programs
do exactly that, or at least can be a significant factor in helping accomplish that goal." They can help ensure that workers are treated well according to health and safety standards and compensated fairly. Such programs also provide to the wider company a greater sense of purpose that workers' jobs
contribute to something greater than profits.
Online from publication. 2 pages., Identification of produce items cited as problematic and acceptable by the Environmental Working Group. Article indicates that more than 99 percent of produce samples tested for these reports have residue levels that are compliant with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards (which EWG considers insufficient).
Online from publisher. 3 pages., The chief merchandising office of a New-York-City-based online grocer, FreshDirect, describes methods used for successful online food shopping experiences for prospects and continuing customers. He observes that more than 30 percent of the grocer's customers shop exclusively from their "re-shop" baskets. However, he explains ways used to give customers reasons to branch out from their normal baskets.
Online from publisher. 3 pages., In this commentary, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Food and Farming argues that the "dirty dozen" list published annually by the Environmental Working Group is "scientifically unsupportable, negatively impacts consumers and it is insulting to farmers and farm workers working hard every day to provide produce to consumers." She says, "If we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is that science (not rhetoric or false claims) needs to guide our health and safety choices."
Online from publication. 3 pages., Ideas for staffing and promoting sales of fruits and vegetables in the produce departments of retail food stores during the Easter season, which features nearly as heavy volume as Thanksgiving.
Online from publisher. 3 pages., Activities and achievements of the California Women's Association, a volunteer organization of women concerned about challenges to California agriculture. Consists of 21 local chapters that focus on promoting agriculture locally and providing scholarships to students majoring in farming-related majors.
Online from publisher. 4 pages., Article features findings of a Packer survey about social responsibility. The summary includes brief responses by 11 leaders in the produce industry about the meaning of social responsibility.
Online from publication. 4 pages., Suggestions from a New York City-based exotic fruit influencer and leadership developer Angela Scarfia in leading an online workshop about marketing produce brands and companies on social media.
Online from publication. 5 pages., Summarizes findings of a survey among members of a nationwide consumer panel. Charts identify ranked percentages of respondents who had bought 20 fruits and 20 vegetables during the past 12 months.
Online from publication. 3 pages., Executives for three global produce marketers report on the role of social media in reaching parents with children at home.
