2020 was a year full of change and challenges for most industries, and the trucking industry was no exception. While things are starting to look up in 2021 with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, businesses re-opening, and foodservice finally making a comeback, the current state of the trucking industry can still best be described as “complicated,” according to Tony Bradley, president and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association.

Now, more than ever, consumers are making a plea for sustainability — and they’re not just requesting more recyclable products, they’re willing to pay premium for them, especially from brands and companies they trust.

MyLand Co. LLC announced the appointment of Pradeep Monga, former deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, to its board of directors.

The Produce News interviewed seven retail produce executives from across the country on the experiences of the COVID-19-influenced year and where the industry is a year later. Their answers have been condensed and paraphrased for brevity, clarity and to fit the format. The participants were: Gabe Flores of Bashas, Chris Keetch of The GIANT Co., Price Mabry of HAC, Vince Mastromauro Jr. of Sunset Foods, Mike Roberts of Harps, John Savidan of Gelson’s and Jeff Tomasetti of Buehler.

In 1996, I attended a World Series game between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves with two co-workers. The Yankees were on the field and a fellow sitting in the row in front of us wearing a Derek Jeter shirt suddenly yelled out in a thunderous voice, “Be ready infield. No two bounces are alike.”

One of my co-workers said, “Just like us in produce. No two days are alike.”

Stemilt’s stone fruit season officially kicked off this week with its first run of Artisan Organics apricots. High anticipation for Stemilt’s stone fruit season coincides with the company’s World Famous cherry season making it a summer of endless flavor opportunities.