Michael D’Ottavio was keeping his fingers crossed that the weather would stay as good as it was earlier this season.

“With ideal weather conditions for blueberries and blackberries, this year’s crop looks to have better size and much more volume than last season,” said D’Ottavio, president of D’Ottavio Farms in Vineland, NJ. “Our bee habitats and satellite irrigation system really help with pollination and the correct amount of water supply to the plants.”

Nearly 300 retail buyers, grower-shippers, processors, business service providers and retailers gathered at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, IL, June 9-10 for The Retail Conference, presented by the International Fresh Produce Association. After a day golf and a packed opening cocktail reception on Thursday, Friday morning saw Joe Watson of IFPA and Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics offer fresh perspectives on the biggest trends fueling produce sales today, including a look at the department’s performance during the first half of 2022.

BJ's Wholesale Club is continuing its expansion with the opening of four new clubs as the next phase of its 2022 development plans. The newest clubs will be in Noblesville, IN; New Albany, OH; Wayne, NJ; and Midlothian, VA.

The full economic contribution of the food and agriculture industries is estimated to be nearly $7 trillion. The industries account for nearly one-fifth of U.S. economic activity, directly contributing $2.7 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product and supporting more than 40 million jobs. The key to the success of these industries is millions of farmworkers.

It’s been a rather somber time at Papen Farms the past year and a half. Following the untimely death of Kenneth Papen in December of 2020, his father Richard Papen, considered the heart and soul of the operation, passed away on April 16 of this year.

Salix Fruits has over 25 different produce items in its portfolio, with apples, lemons, oranges, tangerines, pears and grapes among its more robust programs. Its motto “Always in Season” is a nod to the fact that the company sources product from around the globe to meet its customers’ needs 12 months a year.