Fresh Del Monte Produce, one of the world’s largest leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality, fresh produce and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) have joined forces to develop a three-year multi-stakeholder partnership with local organizations, government agencies, communities and subsidiaries to maximize the use of natural resources and to ensure the sustainability of landscapes in Costa Rica and in Guatemala.

Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional food retailer, today announces the launch of Local Produce Boxes featuring locally sourced, in-season produce online through Giant Delivers. Available throughout the summer without a subscription or commitment, the boxes retail for $20.00 and will contain six or more unique items from local farms in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.

Vanguard International has added new talent to their team with the hiring of Fanny Robles in Peru and Ignacio Ugarte in Chile.

A new loss-conscious program focuses on selling Nature Fresh Farms imperfect produce to reduce food waste. The Waste Me Nots program was recently created to leverage Nature Fresh Farms Tomatoes, Peppers, and Cucumbers that do not meet the criteria of their Quality Control team.

Bowery Farming, the largest vertical farming company in the U.S., unveils a new "Farmer's Selection" product category, a line of rotating, small-batch, wildly flavorful, next-generation greens, curated by Bowery's R&D team. Bowery’s Mustard Frills — hearty mustard greens with a tingly start and a fiery, wasabi-style finish — are the first greens released under this new category and will be available in select grocery retailers this week through spring 2021, followed by Green Sorrel.

Mann Packing, a subsidiary of Del Monte Fresh Produce and one of the largest suppliers of packaged vegetables in North America, has opened its new facility in Gonzales, California. Joining a lineup of California facilities in Salinas, Chualar, Delhi, and one in Yuma, Arizona, the new fifth facility will allow Mann Packing to grow its business, elevate its existing operations and provide an innovative new space to help the brand continue to meet consumer needs.

Leonardo’s Produce (“Leonardo’s”), a distributor of fresh produce and specialty products, joined FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, further diversifying the group’s combined customer base and increasing its breadth and depth of service offerings in Michigan and Ohio. Leonardo’s joins a growing family that includes Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, McCartney Produce, Garden Cut, Cibus Fresh and Papania’s.

McCartney Produce, a distributor of fresh produce and specialty food products, joined FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies, further diversifying the group’s combined customer base and increasing its breadth and depth of service offerings in the Midwest and Southeast. McCartney joins a growing family that includes Get Fresh, Indianapolis Fruit, Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh, and Papania’s.

Since coming to market in 2010, Tasteful Selections has been a pioneer and leader in the bite-size potato category — owning and operating the entire planting, harvesting and packaging process. With multiple facility and acreage expansions from 2010 to 2018, Tasteful Selections grew to meet demand while responding to consumer preference toward convenience items and smaller pack sizes.

The closures of restaurants, hotels, and schools have left growers with heaps of fresh produce without a destination. With crops often grown exclusively for the foodservice industry, growers who produce crops with a large percentage of production destined for this vital market segment are faced with incredible challenges amidst COVID-19 closures.