I don’t know about you, but we just recently received an email from our telephone and utility companies alerting us of monthly increases in the next bill. Grocery price increases only add more complications for the family budget, which is starting to go up in flames. This annoying inflation trend continues like a parade marching straight to our front door with no end in sight. Every family is feeling this same pain.

Jason Buechel, Whole Foods Market chief operating officer and future CEO, recently participated as a keynote speaker at the WSJ Global Food Forum, a gathering of senior executives from across the food industry and agricultural sector, where he shared his personal connection to Whole Foods Market’s purpose and detailed the company’s commitment to setting sustainable and socially responsible standards for the products it sells.

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher highlighted the beginning of blueberry season in the Garden State with a visit to Macrie Brothers Blueberry Farm. Secretary Fisher and state and local officials viewed the packing of Jersey Fresh blueberries to emphasize that locally grown produce and farm products are readily available now at farmers markets and stores around the state.

Jupiter Group, a global fresh-produce grower and supplier are now harvesting Valencia oranges on their Maswiri farm in Limpopo, South Africa. Their Turkey Valencia oranges have enjoyed the typical climate found in South Africa during this time of year, which has provided a natural coloration. Jupiter Group have reported that the sizing of the forthcoming crop is excellent and the internal readings are also looking good.

In an effort to be a good neighbor and lessen its impact on the environment, Meijer is encouraging its customers to bring their plastic flowerpots and trays – regardless of where they originally purchased the plants or flowers – to any Meijer Garden Center to recycle.

Today, Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council revealed its first-ever summer condiment trends predictions along with a list of corresponding products from emerging and established brands. The Trends Council – a collective of Whole Foods Market buyers and experts with extensive industry knowledge – predict global barbecue, chili peppers, elevated ketchup and mustard, next-level fermentation, and new takes on ranch will be influencing barbecues and picnics across America this summer.