Farmer’s Best International LLC in Nogales, AZ, does not have major increases in any of its products out of Mexico for the 2013-14 season, but “we have a slight increase on almost everything,” said Steve Yubeta, vice president of sales, in an interview with The Produce News.

The company’s main commodities are cucumbers, green bells, red bells, round tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, Italian squash, yellow squash, grey squash, Kabocha squash, table grapes and mangos, he said.

ALDI, a leading low-price grocer, announced a five-year strategic plan to open 650 new stores across the nation. The grocery retailer launched its expansion efforts with the decision to build its regional headquarters and distribution center in Moreno Valley, CA.

To reach its aggressive goal, over the next five years ALDI plans to accelerate the pace of new store openings to an average of 130 per year, up from an average of 80 stores per year in recent years. ALDI is also planning to invest more than $3 billion to pay for land, facilities and equipment.

As NYKCool's Jorgen Reefer was unloaded Dec. 24 at the Gloucester Marine Terminal in Gloucester City, NJ, Holt Logistics Corp. announced through Gloucester Terminals LLC that it has completed a $2 million facility renovation.

Arden Group Inc., parent of Gelson’s Markets, an operator of 17 distinctive, full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California, has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by TPG, the global private investment firm, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $394 million. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014.

The Red River Valley potato crop "is moving very well. Demand is especially good," Ted Kreis, marketing director for the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, said in mid-December.

Weather conditions in the early fall forced a late harvest, which created a slow marketing start.

"In November it picked up momentum," he said. "Now they're moving very nicely. The quality is better than last year. There seems to be a growing preference in consumer demand for red potatoes, which are 90 percent of what we grow (for the fresh market)."

Customers and teammates of Schnucks in Alton, IL, will celebrate the new year and a new store remodel with a ribbon cutting Jan. 2.

“We are excited for our Alton-area customers to see the store’s amazing transformation, including new décor and expanded services," Scott Schnuck,chairman and chief executive officer, said in a press release. "Schnucks has been serving Alton for more than 40 years, and we believe investing in our stores and their communities is one of the best ways to celebrate our company’s 75th Anniversary in 2014.”