The floral industry came together once again for the 2022 Floriexpo convention in Miami Beach, FL, from June 7 to June 9. The three-day show led off with educational sessions. Data from the Floral Marketing Fund was highlighted by Derek Woodruff, owner of Floral Underground, who outlined key decision-making points from the FMF study, citing that the amount consumers are willing to spend has increased in the recent year.

Exhibitor booth registration is now open for Organic Grower Summit 2022 Presented by Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network, slated for Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Monterey, CA. Organic supply chain partners and service providers are encouraged to sign up for a booth at OGS 2022, which features two days of information, education and networking opportunities with organic growers.

Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of Progressive Produce, is known for its year-round onion program. Dan Borer, the company's commodity manager, said this year's crop has good quality and an early start.

The Michigan asparagus crop was delayed by about a week, but now the state's harvest is in full swing with excellent quality and spear tips that are tight and extremely flavorful.

Co-presidents Steven Espinosa and Albert Grimaldi are leading the charge at Fru-Veg Marketing.

Three seasons ago, the company partnered with Berry Bros. allowing Fru-Veg to expand its blueberry program to include domestic blueberries to customers from farm-to-table and also create a 12-month, year-round supply of fresh blueberries. Now the two companies have started a bigger project together.

New England retailer Big Y is investing in its store teams through a multi-million dollar increase in starting pay rates for all clerks, customer service, fresh food and center store specialists, and assistant department managers as of June 26.