Three reasons for celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday are family, food and grateful blessings. It was modeled after the Pilgrims who shared the harvest feast in 1621.

Mission Produce is a go-to source for fresh, organically grown avocados.

“We have mastered the art of growing, packing and ripening certified organic avocados to meet the needs of our customers all year long,” said Megan Berenbach, director of sales for the Oxnard, CA-based company. “Demand for organic avocados continues to grow, so Mission continues to invest additional resources into organic programs, pursuing innovative ways to support and develop the category.”

Stuart Woolf, president and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing, will serve as chair of the Western Growers board of directors for a two-year term. Woolf was first elected to the Western Growers board in 2015.

"Western Growers is set up to meet the needs of the fresh produce industry in the Western U.S. by focusing on issues like immigration, labor and water rights," Woolf said. "We need a good, strong, trusted voice. As chair, I know that Western Growers will continue to be that voice for issues that impact all of agriculture."

With the 2023-24 Chilean table grape season starting in November, Chilean grape importers from across the U.S. are urgently requesting the U.S. authorities to accelerate the authorization of a Systems Approach, which would allow the entry of Chilean grapes into the U.S. without fumigation. After 20 years of work between Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Systems Approach has been authorized by the technical organizations of both the U.S. and Chile.

Amazon is now offering grocery delivery and free pickup to all customers in all U.S. cities and towns where Amazon Fresh is available for Prime members. This service expansion was previously available only to Prime members.

In addition, all Amazon customers can now order delivery from a variety of local grocery and specialty retailers available on Amazon.com — and Amazon will soon expand its grocery delivery and free pickup where available from Whole Foods Market to customers without a Prime membership.

Floriculture stakeholders from academic institutions, governmental agencies and the floriculture/greenhouse industry are invited for the 2024 National Floriculture Forum taking place from Thursday to Saturday, Feb. 22-24.