The Kroger Co. and NVIDIA announced a strategic collaboration to reimagine the shopping experience using AI-enabled applications and services.

The two companies will build a state-of-art AI lab and demonstration center to expand Kroger’s freshness initiatives, improve shipping logistics and create a better shopping experience in stores through digital twin simulations — virtual models designed to accurately reflect store layouts and other operations.

Prima Wawona, a fully integrated stone fruit company, has completed a major rebranding: an updated logo, new website launch and new packaging.

Buoyed by a hot market, California avocado growers started picking their 2022 crop earlier than expected. By the end of March, they will have already shipped about 20 percent of their expected volume for the season.

PEAKfreshUSA reaffirmed its continuing commitment to environmental stewardship with a new product available by request that enhances landfill biodegradation. “Consumer demand increases every year for sustainability,” said Greg Ganzerla, president and CEO of Lake Forest, CA-based PEAKfreshUSA. The new product will add another innovative offering to PEAKfresh’s catalog of packaging.

URB-E, a compact container delivery network that’s replacing trucks with small electric vehicles, announced its partnership with indoor farming leader Square Roots to enable fast, local delivery of its responsibly grown greens.

The fleet is utilized to deliver fresh produce at Square Roots’ indoor farm in Brooklyn to retail stores across New York City. URB-E’s electric vehicles were successfully deployed starting in December 2021.

Allegiance Retail Services unveiled this month a new marketing campaign for its Foodtown banner with the message “Quality Meals Begin at Foodtown” to express the brand’s commitment to offering fresh perishables, quality products and exceptional service. The campaign is aimed to provide comfort and confidence to shoppers knowing when they choose to shop Foodtown, they will be offered fresh, quality products, both instore and online.