When Lauren Dandrea graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in public health, and a minor in biology, she planned to enter a different industry. But the idea of joining her family business, Dandrea Produce Inc., in Vineland, NJ, always lingered in her mind.

Recent consumer research reveals that 67 percent of millennials — currently 15- to 35-year-olds — shop online, accounting for about 50 percent of all online retail purchases. Other research shows that about 81 percent of all retail purchases by this demographic still occur in a physical store.

Lidl, a leading European retailers, has confirmed its plans to expand into the U.S. market. The company will locate its U.S. corporate headquarters in Arlington County, Virginia, and will open a regional headquarters and distribution center facility in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Brendan Proctor will be president and chief executive officer for Lidl US.

Proctor made the announcement alongside Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe after meeting with leaders of the company at Lidl's international headquarters in Neckarsulm, Germany.

Bananas continue to maintain a commanding presence in produce departments and consumer shopping carts. “Bananas claim over 50 percent of the volume of fresh fruit imports,” said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.

Sweet potatoes and Butternut squash have a new look thanks to a unique way of cutting fresh vegetables into shapes that will inspire creativity for everyday meals.