Pears may be rooted in tradition, but Stemilt is positioning them firmly in today’s regular snack rotation. A bountiful pear crop across the industry is driving a strong season fueled by freshness and flavor, creating new opportunities to enjoy pears every day. Starting in January, Stemilt is launching its I Heart Pears campaign backed by a Numerator consumer survey.

Taylor Farms is one of the first brands to go live with new Instacart end-to-end retail media capabilities offered natively within TikTok. As a leading producer of ready-to-eat salads and healthy fresh foods, Taylor Farms is leveraging the new advertising solution, enabled by TikTok’s collaboration with Instacart, to redefine how consumers discover and shop fresh, healthy foods. This innovative campaign marks Taylor Farms’ breakthrough moment in social commerce and digital grocery innovation.

There’s great news coming out of the Idaho potato fields for retail directors, buyers and produce managers. The Idaho potato crop yield is outstanding, showing excellent quality and size thanks to ideal growing conditions.

With produce gross profit challenges, this is good news for retailers needing to achieve those budgets — and Idaho potatoes are a perfect item to promote in the weekly ad flyers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture filed an administrative complaint against Produce & More Enterprise LLC of Houston, alleging the company failed to make full payment promptly for multiple lots of produce purchased, received and accepted in interstate and foreign commerce, in violation of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

USDA and Produce & More entered into a Consent Decision and Order finding that Produce and More committed repeated PACA violations by failing to pay $213,944.79 to seven produce sellers. 

That Flower Feeling has appointed Debora Steier, retired vice president of floral for Albertsons Cos., to lead its newly formed Unit Sales Subcommittee, a key funding driver for the national “Just Add Flowers” campaign.

John (Jay) William Holford, a longtime member of the produce industry and former CEO of Seald Sweet Growers, died Dec. 20. He was 95. 

Mr. Holford was born in Orange, CA, and moved to Vero Beach, FL, in 1986. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1950 to 1951, demonstrating dedication and patriotism early in life. He retired as CEO from Seald Sweet Growers in 1994, concluding a remarkable career.