Managing a produce department today can either be fun or frustrating. To wit: A customer enters a store and requests to see the produce manager. He strolls out of the back room and greets the customer.

Produce manager: “Can I help you miss?”

Customer: “Do you have any wilted lettuce, moldy strawberries, wrinkled peppers, or spoiled tomatoes?”

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas worked via Zoom April 21-23 with panel discussions to address topics normally reserved for its spring conference.

FPAA, which is in Nogales, AZ, describes itself as “a powerful voice for improvement and sustainability, serving the needs of more than 100 North American companies involved in the growth, harvest, marketing, import, and distribution of Mexican produce.”

What started out as a small step toward reducing its carbon footprint has blossomed into quite the environmental impact. Not even a year has elapsed since Tops Friendly Markets has partnered with the Canadian-based Flashfood company yet in that time this partnership has helped to divert food from landfills, reduce environmental waste and energy consumption, all while providing Tops customers with sustainably soured high-quality products at a great value. To date the partnership has helped Tops feed over 223,642 shoppers and divert more than 17 million pounds of food from landfills.

London Fruit Inc., which is based in Pharr, TX, has started production of its Kent mango variety from the state of Michoacán in southwest Mexico.

As avocado demand continues to rise and retailers look forward to Cinco de Mayo and summer sales boosts, growing Mexican players in the marketplace offer additional options to meet supply. “Over the past two decades, U.S. demand for avocados has increased significantly,” said Arturo Larios, managing director of La Casa del Aguacate in Westlake Village, CA. “Just since 2001 per capita consumption has tripled according to USDA statistics. With this increased consumption comes the need for more sourcing options.”

Amazon announced that Key by Amazon In-Garage Grocery Delivery is expanding to everywhere grocery delivery from Amazon is available, providing service to more than 5,000 U.S. cities and towns. Originally launched in five cities last November, Key In-Garage Grocery Delivery can now be used by millions of eligible Prime members to have their Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market groceries delivered securely and conveniently inside their garage.