Origin Group, an Edinburg, TX-based importer and distributor of a variety of tropical produce items, announced the opening of a new transportation department, Origin Freight Brokerage LLC.

The new department enables produce brokers, shippers and buyers to utilize the company’s expansive refrigerated warehouse for consolidation and reliable transportation to move their produce. Lanes include LTL out of South Texas and FTL out of all 48 states.

While virtually every industry across the nation is affected by the hot-button issue of labor, agriculture is among the hardest hit by shortages and regulations.

In Colorado, some consider ag labor to be the biggest challenge facing producers. At the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, headquartered in Eaton, CO, Executive Director Marilyn Bay Drake said in mid-August a bill signed by Gov. Jared Polis this year could potentially impact Colorado’s produce growers.

The pandemic of the past 18 months has quickened the pace of change in the retail space and companies must adapt if they don’t want to be left behind.

In a nutshell, that was the message delivered by Kevin Coupe of morningnewsbeat.com to the Fresh Produce & Floral Council audience of more than 200 people who listened to him deliver the keynote address at their Aug. 18 luncheon at the Anaheim Hills Golf Club in Orange County, CA.

Future Co-CEOs Cathy Burns of Produce Marketing Association and Tom Stenzel of United Fresh have named the executive committee that will serve as officers for the new association.

The Arizona LGMA's new public relations liaison, April Ward of Harvest Moon Communications, brings two decades of marketing and communications experience and a wealth of knowledge relating to leafy greens farming and food safety.  Although she is new to working with Arizona LGMA, she is a familiar face to many in the Arizona farming community.