Georgia and north Florida watermelon growers are late to the game due to a cool spring, earlier season delays held back some of the Mexican and Texan crop, and California and Arizona are coming into their own as production ramps up in June. All that means the United States will be awash in watermelon from now through September, setting up ample opportunity for retailers to promote with abandon.

Produce Traceability Initiative Leadership Council members agree the increasing percentage of produce cases marked with PTI labels is a reassuring sign that momentum for PTI continues, supported by buyers who are preparing to receive labels later this year.

The Leadership Council, representing 32 companies in the produce industry, held its biannual meeting in mid-May in conjunction with the United Fresh 2013 convention in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO — When retail consultant Harold Lloyd told retailers that they need to have more "pop" in their stores, he wasn't talking about expanding the soft drink category.

Speaking at the United Fresh Produce Association convention in mid-May, here, Lloyd gave the crowd a visual demonstration of his viewpoint by wearing a costume designed by Scotland Yard. He is all about having a produce department making a statement visually. He gave dozens of take-home tips during his 40 minute presentation.

Belgian-based Delhaize Group has hired Lazard Ltd. to handle the sale of Harveys and Sweetbay, two of its U.S. banners, according to two anonymous sources in a Reuters report.

In the article, Chief Executive Officer Pierre-Oliver Beckers did not comment on Lazard or any other advisors being involved in a potential sale, but he confirmed that the company was looking at options for the banners.

Jack Wallace, co-owner of G&D Wallace Inc./Wallace Farms in Burlington, WA, said agricultural producers in the region will deal with the effects of a bridge collapse on Interstate 5 over the Skagit River on Thursday as they would any other problem thrown their way.

“Farmers are used to dealing with obstacles. It’s going to make it more difficult,” Wallace told The Produce News the morning of May 25. “We can work around it.” The company grows and markets conventional red, white, gold and purple potatoes as well as organic red and russet potatoes in the Skagit Valley.

As in past years, New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Marketing & Development is providing New Jersey’s fruit and vegetable industry with vital and expert inspection and grading services. Working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NJDA’s inspectors work with brokers, shippers, dealers, processors and farmers throughout the state.