Produce Talk

The Packer’s Global Organic Produce Exposition & Conference (GOPEX) was created as a direct response to the rapidly increasing consumer demand for organic produce and to offer a unique learning experience for those who work in the industry. GOPEX provides a setting for the industry’s leading growers, distributors, packers, marketers and retailers to engage with…

Unlike Christmas and birthdays, shoppers do not typically plan ahead for Valentine’s Day. Forty-six percent of consumers say they will start shopping in early February for their loved ones; however, the majority of spending for Valentine’s Day takes place the day before and the day of the actual holiday. But with Valentine’s Day falling on…

Planning for the Super Bowl? With an estimated 190 million Americans planning to watch the game this year and to serve guacamole as the centerpiece snack, make sure your Super Bowl produce displays are set early and fully stocked not only with avocados, but with tomatoes, onions, limes, and all the guacamole fixings! Read More

Growth in organic food sales continues to outpace total food sales. Organic produce is leading the way, as it is the primary point of entry into organic food for most consumers. It’s an essential part of a comprehensive department assortment, a key point of differentiation when well-executed, and a tremendous opportunity for retailers of all…

The month of January is unique in that it is our lowest volume month of the year. Sales are derived from citrus, bananas, potatoes, grapes, strawberries, salads and value-added items.  This is the strongest period of the year for grapefruit, so big up front displays are a must. Navels are a big seller so you…

Brussels sprouts are part of a group of food called cruciferous vegetables which also includes broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage, collards, kale and others. Studies show that cruciferous plants are some of the healthiest, most nutrient-dense, foods out there. Brussels sprouts are rich in a wide variety of nutrients including antioxidant carotenoids, B-complex vitamins, vitamins…

Kiwis are small fruits that pack a lot of flavor and plenty of health benefits. Their green flesh is sweet and tangy. It’s also full of nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, and potassium. They also have a lot of antioxidants and are a good source of fiber. Their small black seeds…

When many people think of dates, they usually think of them as snack or sweet treats, without any real significance in a diet. However, this is not true, as dates are nutritional powerhouses and should be consumed more often and taken advantage of. Dates actually come from a type of palm tree, and seems to…

The flesh is soft, juicy and silky-smooth, with a delicate sweet flavor. It has a center cavity filled with small, round, black, peppery-tasting seeds, which are edible but generally discarded. Selection: Look for fruit that is bruise-free with smooth, unwrinkled skin. Avoid very soft fruit with a fermented aroma. Color is not necessarily an indication…

Fresh fruit in a basket brightens anyone’s day, especially when it’s tied with bright ribbon with a few added treats. Ripe, seasonal fruits work best if you can hand-deliver the basket; otherwise choose fruits that won’t get damaged or age too rapidly in the mail, such as citrus fruits and apples. Read more.