Maine wild blueberries are not simply a smaller version of cultivated blueberries. They are a native lowbush crop that grows naturally across glacial outwash plains and mountain fields, creating a patchwork of flavors, shapes, and colors. That regional identity gives the fruit its distinctive character, but it also means production cannot simply be relocated when …
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Crop News, September 2026 United States Apples: Washington’s new Gala and Honeycrisp harvest is underway, with early indications pointing to a smaller crop than last year and active movement as remaining old-crop stocks clear. California apples began several weeks earlier than usual, with early observations indicating production near to slightly below last year and strong …
Continue reading “North American Potato Processing Supply Looks More Balanced as New Crop Arrives”
Food traceability is moving beyond basic recordkeeping as growers, processors, distributors, and retailers connect product identification with operational and cold chain data. Across the food industry, greater visibility into where products originate, how they move, and how they are handled is becoming an increasingly important part of food safety and supply chain management. The shift …
Blueberry innovation is increasingly starting with genetics. Breeders are selecting varieties not only for sweetness and appearance, but also for texture, shelf life, harvestability, and consistency. As The Packer reports, the goal is no longer to optimize a single trait, but to create berries that perform well for growers, retailers, and consumers alike. That shift …
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Rising food costs are changing how consumers think about fruits and vegetables. As households look for practical ways to balance nutrition, convenience, and affordability, frozen produce is becoming more relevant across retail products, prepared foods, and foodservice menus. Frozen Remains a Credible Nutrition Choice Choosing frozen produce does not necessarily mean compromising on nutrition. Federal …
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Fruit quality has traditionally been judged by what growers, packing teams, and quality inspectors can see, feel, sample, or measure near the surface. That works well for size, color, shape, and visible damage—but it can miss browning, overripeness, impact damage, and other problems hidden inside the fruit. AI-powered magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, could change …
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Agristo’s decision to move the planned opening of its Grand Forks, North Dakota, processing facility to fall 2029 adds another year to the project—but it does not change its larger significance. The development represents a continuing shift toward more frozen potato processing capacity inside the United States, closer connections between processors and domestic growers, and …
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Labor availability remains one of the most consequential challenges in American agriculture. When farms cannot assemble crews at the right time, planting, harvesting, packing, and processing schedules can quickly fall behind. The proposed Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026, or SAWA, is intended to modernize the H-2A agricultural guestworker program. The proposal would allow contracts …
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Weather volatility is becoming a more important part of ingredient planning for food manufacturers, private-label brands, and foodservice operators. NOAA has issued an El Niño Advisory and says the current event is expected to intensify through the remainder of 2026. For procurement teams, the immediate concern is not one predictable shortage. It is the possibility …
Getting a food product into Walmart can transform a small business, but a strong recipe and attractive packaging are only the starting point. Emerging brands also need to demonstrate that their product is ready for retail, their operations can support growth, and their team understands what happens after the first order. For small food companies, …
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USDA’s planned agribusiness trade mission to Ho Chi Minh City reflects growing interest in Vietnam as a food manufacturing, consumer, and trade market. The larger signal is more important than the event itself: Vietnam is becoming a more sophisticated participant in the global food supply chain, creating opportunities that extend beyond traditional commodity trade. Vietnam …
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The FDA’s investigation into an E. coli outbreak linked to a specific recalled frozen organic blueberry product has renewed attention on food-safety controls across the frozen-fruit industry. The recall is limited to an identified product and lot—not frozen blueberries as a category—but it underscores an important point: freezing preserves food quality, while safety depends on …
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Elevated food costs are changing more than shopping lists. They are making households more deliberate about meal planning, leftovers, storage, and how completely they use what they buy. ReFED’s latest household research points to increased freezer use and closer food management, while the USDA’s current outlook shows that food prices remain under upward pressure. For …
Continue reading “As Households Waste Less, Frozen Formats Gain a Stronger Value Story”
Lamb Weston is showing signs of renewed stability in its North American business after a period marked by softer restaurant traffic, pricing pressure and operational challenges. The frozen potato processor closed its latest fiscal year with stronger regional momentum, supported by improving customer relationships, higher volume and a more disciplined approach to manufacturing and costs. …
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Garlic may be a small component of a finished formulation, but it carries substantial weight in flavor, labeling, and consumer perception. As demand for organic produce continues to broaden, organic garlic is moving beyond a specialty item and becoming a more relevant consideration for food manufacturers, private-label brands, and foodservice operators. Organic growth is increasingly …