Starting a professional career often leaves one feeling flush with emotion. Whether it is excitement, anxiety, or a combination of the two, the American Floral Endowment’s Young Professionals Council strives to be better equipped to enter the workforce. In the fall of 2021, AFE circulated a survey to gather more career-focused information on experience, background, and advice from current industry professionals. The results were presented and discussed during a YPC webinar conducted by AFE in November of 2021.

The Floral Marketing Fund (FMF), in partnership with the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the University of Guelph, are presenting the final results from a new study on consumers’ perceived value of nursery plants – focusing specifically on garden center consumers in both the US and Canada. The findings are being presented through an upcoming webinar on January 27th and the final report.

This April, Produce for Better Health Foundation will reconvene produce industry stakeholders, food system leaders and top-tier consumer influencers for their annual Consumer Connection Conference, last held in person in 2019. The 2022 event will take place April 18-20 at the Omni Resort & Spa at Montelucia in Scottsdale, AZ. 

Anticipation for Season 4 of J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom is building thanks in large part to the commitment shown by the show’s underwriters. Albertsons Companies, CalFlowers, and Dollar Tree are all returning for Season 4 as well as closed caption underwriter Holland America Flowers. The new season will debut on public television stations across the country beginning in April of 2022, as the show’s audience continues to grow and experiences the joy that flowers deliver.

Whether it be weather, supply chain issues or low yields, it was another week of high prices in the produce industry.

Lime prices went from $28 to $61/carton in seven days and are now more than double compared to any January over the past 10 years, according to ProduceIQ.

Instacart launched Ready Meals, a fresh, health-focused and cost-effective alternative to restaurant takeout from customers’ favorite grocers. With Ready Meals, consumers nationwide can now take a break from cooking and instead get fresh, ready-made meals delivered from the store to their door in as fast as 30 minutes.