Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farm workers, retailers and consumer groups, announced that AgSocio, an agricultural labor and service provider operating in California and Arizona, is the first company to complete an initial verification of EFI’s farm labor contractor standards, as part of a pilot program.

In November, the Autumn Glory apple hit the retail shelves for a record-shattering season start. Shipment volumes were at all-time highs, ranking Autumn Glory as No. 2 in the Washington state “Other Variety” category, according to the November shipment report. The week after Thanksgiving sported a whopping 104 percent growth over the previous year.

The South Texas Onion Committee is currently seeking producer and handler nominees for Districts 1 (Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley) and District 2 (Uvalde-Wintergarden region).

Sprouts Farmers Market launched its Rescued Organics program in all 130 stores in California. The program reduces food waste and supports local farmers by bringing to market imperfect organic produce that would typically be discarded due to imperfections that do not affect quality.

Rescued Organic produce may be misshapen, under or over-sized or slightly off color, but has the same great taste, nutrients and amazing quality as other Sprouts produce. The program also makes organic produce more accessible because it is offered at a reduced price.

Pacific Trellis Fruit, a year-round grower, shipper and marketer of premium fresh fruit, unveiled four new imported specialty plum varieties. The company is gearing up for the high-flavor arrivals from Chile and South Africa beginning next month. The plums will be unveiled in two-pound clamshells under the premium Dulcinea brand. The new high-graphic labels will pop on display and will be sure to create some eye-catching attention.