The ever-increasing love of avocados by consumers has stretched supply channels and caused most California avocados to be marketed in the western half of the country. But a tracking study, conducted on behalf of the California Avocado Commission by a third-party organization, revealed that the fruit has an excellent reputation throughout the nation.

No matter what the meal or occasion, putting open-faced sandwiches on the menu ensures a guaranteed hit! They are simple to make yet still full of great flavor combinations.

Presentation is key when serving open-faced sandwiches because all ingredients are highly visible. It’s important to ensure that the ingredients used be fresh, flavorful, and complementary.

THE HISTORY OF OPEN-FACED SANDWICHES

DNO Produce, a leading fresh-cut processor and wholesale distributor, hired Nick Middleton as wholesale sales director. Middleton will apply his industry expertise and relationships toward growing DNO’s wholesale produce category and building the company’s presence in freight forwarding networks.

Meijer will open two new supercenters in northeast Ohio on April 28.

“It’s extremely exciting to continue expanding our presence in northeast Ohio,” said Tom Wilson, Meijer regional vice president. “Over the last two years, our store teams have helped families meet unprecedented challenges by providing fresh grocery options and supporting their pharmacy needs. Now we’re gearing up to bring our one-stop shopping experience to new communities in Brunswick and Canton.”

Willard (Bill) Bishop, died peacefully on Friday, March 25, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 80. Mr. Bishop's experience in the food retail business reaches from the earliest introduction of the UPC code to the online grocery revolution that was fast-tracked due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The onset of spring traditionally brings volatility; however, produce markets have been steady for the past few weeks, according to Mark Campbell, founder and CEO of ProduceIQ. He said price increases in berries, tomatoes and corn offset declines in lettuce, celery and asparagus prices.

Broccoli markets are tightening up and after a few weeks of low prices, moving from $9 to $15. Broccoli prices are up 50 percent over the previous week and are expected to climb further.