Whole Kids Foundation, a nonprofit established by Whole Foods Market and dedicated to helping to improve children’s nutrition, is granting a record $3 million in garden grants to help schools and nonprofit organizations start or expand edible learning spaces as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Brooks Tropicals first began as a tropical avocado grower, packer, and shipper almost 100 years ago in Homestead, FL. Since opening up the New York market in 1928, the company has continued to develop the avocado customer base in all corners of North America.

The dog days of summer are fading in the distance, and that signals the start of Stemilt’s new pear crop and the arrival of summer varieties. The company is in full harvest mode on its Rushing Rivers conventional and organic Bartlett and Starkrimson pears, and packing fruit fresh to order now to spur the back-to-school rush and first promotions of the season at retail.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has tested the apple industry up and down the supply chain, it has also presented unique opportunities, according to a new U.S. Apple Association report released at the organization’s 126th annual outlook conference. Considering these opportunities, and despite a challenging 18 months, apple production is expected to exceed 11 billion pounds this crop year.

Wakefern Food Corp., one of the largest retailer-owned grocery cooperatives in the United States is adopting the latest in Reusable Plastic Containers  in its produce department to help improve quality, sustainability and lower costs for customers.   

Though the total volume of Colombian avocados in the U.S. market on an annual basis has not yet reached 10 million pounds, over the next five years it could increase 100-fold. At least that is the view of William Watson, managing director of the newly formed, U.S.-based Colombia Avocado Board.

“We expect Colombia avocado exports to the U.S. to become a billion-pound industry in the next five years,” he said.