If you build it, they will come. That seems to be the theme behind the National Mango Board’s Mango Mania Display Contests, and from a the perspective of a couple of San Diego retailers, it works.

Working with Coast Tropical in San Diego, CA, a Foodland location and a Save A Lot Mercado outlet registered huge sales gains during week-long mango extravaganza events in July.

“It was amazing,” said Isabel Freeland, vice president of Coast Tropical. “We helped both stores build big displays and they significantly increased sales during the promotion period.”

Potatoes and onions are seen as classic commodity crops by many growers, who place too much emphasis on growing and harvesting their products as inexpensively as possible so that they can sell at lower prices.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced up to $31.5 million in grants are available to test new ways to make fruits and vegetables more affordable to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants.

News of the program launch drew immediate praise by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and the United Fresh Produce Association.

Avocados from Mexico will be sharing the love at the upcoming Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit Convention & Exposition Oct. 17-19 in Anaheim, CA.

Bernard Joseph Imming, the former president and chief executive officer of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, which is now known as the United Fresh Produce Association, died Sept. 23 at the age of 94.

Steven Mayer has joined Schnuck Markets Inc. as vice president of produce and floral reporting to Chief Merchant Steve Harper.