The explosive growth of controlled environment agriculture production has reshaped the landscape of fresh food production, and a panel of fresh produce industry experts will examine what the future of this $100 billion industry may look like in the coming years in the second educational session announced as part of the educational program for the upcoming Organic Grower Summit 2022 Presented by Western Growers and OPN, slated for Nov. 3-Dec. 1 in Monterey, CA.

Fresh Farms, a leading importer of Mexican produce based in Rio Rico, AZ, continually looks to improve its service to its customer base in North America and provide year-round supplies of its product line, including grapes, vegetables and melons.

Riveridge Produce Marketing markets fresh apples on behalf of many multi-generational growers—primarily in Michigan. “At Riveridge, we focus on providing quality produce with food safety in mind,” said Trish Taylor, marketing manager for the Sparta, MI-based company. “We utilize technology in both the orchard for growing flavorful, full-colored fruit and technology in the packing facility to be food safe and provide traceability.”

A panel of retail experts discussed how cutting technology is and will be driving produce sales both online and in the store in the coming years. The overarching theme of the International Fresh Produce Association virtual town hall held Wednesday, Aug. 31, was that technology is already significantly changing the world of retailing, but there are so many more advance coming down the road that will be game changing.

The Southeast Produce Council is highlighting the latest industry innovation and insights at its upcoming Southern Innovations Conference held in Nashville, TN, Sept. 22-24.

As the dog days of summer start to give way to the crisp fall season, R&R Flaim Farms/Next Generation Produce is looking forward to the transition of its vegetable crops.

Ryan Flaim, a fourth-generation member of the family-owned farm located in Vineland, NJ, said the summer was exceptionally dry, “one of the driest I’ve seen in years, but summer crops like that, as long as you keep up on irrigation, which we do.” He added that he prefers a year like this one as opposed to summers with heavy rainfall.