Is the European trend of ‘ugly produce’ on its way to the United States?

While the average produce shopper may think that the beauty of their fruits and vegetables is skin deep (rind deep? peel deep?) and many produce purveyors cater to that view, the elements of taste are the true predictors of a repeat customer.

Word is beginning to reach our shores from Europe (France, specifically), through websites like grist.com and ecowatch.com, about a new trend in produce marketing — so-called “inglorious” fruits and vegetables.

After several weeks of employee and customer protests as well as the firing of several high-ranking officers, Market Basket and its shareholders announced that they have entered into a binding agreement in which recently ousted Chief Executive Officer Arthur T. Demoulas and other Class B shareholders will acquire the 50.5 percent ownership interest of Market Basket currently owned by the Class A shareholders, led by Arthur S. Demoulas.

“The main focus of our business continues to be bringing in a great crop and satisfying our customers,” Peter Forrence, vice president of Forrence Orchards in Peru, NY, told The Produce News. “In a generational business like ours we just hope that the next generations will want to continue the traditions that we have developed during our history, which dates back to 1833.”

The company produces a wide range of apple varieties, with the McIntosh and Honeycrisp being among the top. In fact, the company has been producing the McIntosh since it became commercially available.

Hudson River Fruit Distributors in Milton, NY, was established in 1963 by Isadore (Izzy) Albinder, along with his son Harold Albinder. Today the company is in its fourth generation of ownership and management.

Alisha Albinder represents the fourth generation and works in operations. She explained that Izzy Albinder first entered the business by selling apples on a push cart in Brooklyn in the 1930s.

Monte Vista, CO — Going into the 2014-15 season with vigorous growth in virtually every aspect of its operations, Monte Vista-based Farm Fresh Direct of America is releasing five new spud varieties, offering several new pack options and announcing its partnership with Albert Bartlett, one of the largest fresh potato shippers in the United Kingdom.

Avocados from Mexico will kick off its 2014-15 retail promotional activity this Hispanic Heritage Month with “Échale al Asador” (Toss it on the Grill), a fully integrated program for Hispanic accounts. The program will feature a mobile sweepstakes and a coupon-recipe savings offer as well as digital, social media and in-store merchandising.