Fresh potatoes never truly left the weekly shopping list, but the category received a boost during the early days of coronavirus-influenced panic shopping — and there has been no retreat over the ensuing six months.

“On the retail side, we are still seeing double-digit dollar increases week over week,” said Ross Johnson, international marketing director for the Idaho Potato Commission. “Consumers are learning how enjoyable it is to cook.”

2020 has been a year full of challenges, but also one full of new opportunities and growth, as emphasized during the Center for Growing Talent’s Women’s Fresh Perspectives general session, held virtually on Thursday, Oct. 15 as part of PMA Fresh Summit.

The virtual session kicked off with the announcement of the 2020 CGT Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award, which went to Kristen Reid, executive vice president of MIXTEC Group.

Walmart is seeking to immediately hire 10,000 new associates as the business grows.

The hiring news follows a major $3.5 billion investment into all aspects of the business to generate significant growth and to make the online and in-store shopping experience simpler, faster and more convenient for Walmart's customers. The investment over the next five years will lead to the use of advanced technologies working alongside associates in a state-of the-art facility to move products as quickly as possible.

Superior Fresh, one of the world’s largest aquaponic farms and one of the largest organic salad producers outside of the West Coast, grows USDA certified organic produce and Atlantic salmon. The company recently announced a brand re-fresh and packaging update.

Three speakers in an international session of the PMA Fresh Summit on Oct. 13 presented a truly global view of the produce industry in this remarkable year.

FirstFruits Marketing announced the launch of another Opal apple season. Opals are a naturally non-browning apple with unique flavor and have a distinct crunchy texture making it a yellow apple with a crispy bite. This year, retailers can look forward to new campaign, including new in-store marketing, signage, bins and social media tool kit all inviting consumers to “Crave the Crunch.”