"What's with the strawberry market?" That's a question many produce directors and their buyers have been asking me these days. This has been a very challenging time for California strawberry supplies. Usually, retailers are well stocked and still promoting the fall crop. But this year is different and there is a strawberry shortage caused by extreme weather conditions.

When the New York Produce Show and Conference takes place Nov. 29 - Dec. 2, the team from S. Katzman Produce will be there, walking the floor and meeting with the customers and grower-shippers who have helped make the company the success that it is.

A warm, dry summer with limited rain reduced acreage for some of the typical Rio Grande Valley winter crops, but the growing weather has been excellent for creating top quality production.

At least that was the report from Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association. “We’ve seen a decrease in acreage in some of our plantings, including onions, cabbage and greens,” he said. “But those same conditions that reduced acreage are great growing conditions. Because of that, quality should be excellent.”

The Fresh Produce & Floral Council will hold its annual Holiday Luncheon & Charity Auction Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Sheraton in Cerritos, CA.

Fresh off the inaugural IFPA conference and trade show held during late October in Orlando, FL, Wada Farms is among several hundred exhibitors at the 2022 New York Produce Show at the New York Hilton and Javits Center in downtown Manhattan.

Tom Jenkins has joined the produce division at JOH as an account executive.

A seasoned sales and marketing professional, Jenkins has more than a decade of experience growing HP Hood and Chiquita brands in large New England retailers. In addition to being an excellent communicator, the company said he has strong industry relationships and consistently delivers results.