CHICAGO — It is difficult to gauge the effect online grocery sales might have on the nation’s brick-and-mortar retailers.

On the one hand, sales are projected to almost double in the next few years. On the other hand, that will represent only 3 percent market share by 2017.

Yet it is hard to discount the impact knowing that both Amazon and Google have set their sights on changing the way America buys groceries.

With this year’s Maine broccoli season set to begin in mid-July, Fresh From the Start LLC is eager to offer its clients high-quality product that offers advantages over that which is sourced from the West Coast.

Curry Fruit Chile SA, based in Santiago, Chile, announced Boris Manz as its new general manager on June 30.

The unusually severe and cold winter of 2013-14 set back the timing of many crops throughout a number of areas in the eastern United States, including New Jersey. Most vegetables in the state started a week or two later than usual this spring, and it looks like peaches will see a late start as well.

“We’re definitely on the later side of what we traditionally would be seeing,” David Arena, president of Frank Donio Inc. in Hammonton, NJ, told The Produce News June 30.

DELTA, CO — The recent change of ownership at Hi-Quality Packing and its marketing arm, United Marketing Exchange, brings with it an expanded direction, according to company President Joe Davis and Chief Executive Officer-Chief Operating Officer Mike Gibson.

ALAMOSA, CO — With potato acreage up 8.5 percent over 2013’s numbers, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee Executive Director Jim Ehrlich responded optimistically when asked recently about the 2014 San Luis Valley crop.