WASHINGTON, DC - Critical support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is coming down following the recent hurricanes that have affected our industry. The organization announced its intent to purchase up to $25 million in fresh citrus from domestic producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935, and will assist producers and communities in need.

“These purchases will benefit citrus producers by removing surplus commodities from the market and at the same time help provide nutritious food for people in need,” said Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “These purchases come at an important time when, in addition to many producers being in need of a market for their commodities, a significant part of the industry has been impacted by recent hurricanes.”

A pre-solicitation will be published by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), according to a press release. Purchases are determined by industry requests, market analysis, and food bank needs. Details on how vendors may participate are available on the Selling Food to USDA page on the AMS website. Industry requests for future purchases using Section 32 funds will continue to be assessed.

On an ongoing basis, AMS purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products as authorized by Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935. These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.

We applaud the USDA on its continued efforts to support our industry and U.S. communities.

WINTER SPRINGS, FL - Suppliers and retailers have a shared goal in increasing produce consumption. To support this necessary partnership, the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) named the winners of its annual Retail Merchandising Contest.

“This year’s entries were exceptionally innovative, showing watermelon’s health benefits and versatility through various media,” remarked Juliemar Rosado, Director of Retail and International Marketing. “The winners stood out for their consumer education focus, with displays highlighting watermelon selection, recipe ideas, and happiness. Whole, mini, and fresh-cut watermelons were also featured to appeal to a wider range of shoppers.”

According to a press release, this year’s contest drew over 140 entries from retail chains, independent retailers, and commissaries across the United States and Canada.

Now in its 16^th year, the contest encourages retailers to spotlight watermelon’s health benefits, value, and versatility through creative displays and marketing. Judging criteria included category visibility, point-of-sale materials, visual merchandising, messaging nutritional benefits, recipes, selection education, and the use of print, online, and digital platforms.

This year’s Grand Prize winner was Gelson's Market #23 in La Cañada, California. As the release stated, Gelson’s elevated its efforts this year, impressing judges with creative displays and consumer education initiatives such as in-store sampling events, social media recipe videos, and selection and nutrition education.

“The team at Gelson's #23 would like to express our gratitude for the opportunity to showcase the talent we have at Gelson's Market,” said Thot Phommasaysy, Produce Manager at Gelson’s Market #23. “We take great pride in creating impactful displays that excite our customers. Gelson's La Cañada is proud to have won the Grand Prize this year in [NWPB’s] Retail Merchandising Contest. A special thank you goes out to Catrice Taylor, Produce Clerk for her dedication, hard work, and merchandising skills. Thank you, Catrice, for helping La Cañada Gelson's become this year's winner!”

Wegmans Food Markets in Rochester, New York, took home Second Place. Schnuck Markets in St. Louis, Missouri, secured Third Place.

Due to the quality of submissions this year, the NWPB awarded an additional Honorable Mention, recognizing a total of four retailers for outstanding efforts:

• Harps – Heber Springs, Arizona
• Riverside Market #1135 – Montrose, Minnesota
• Tops Friendly Markets – Dunkirk, New York
• United Grocery Outlet – Knoxville, Tennessee

Congratulations to these stores on their efforts! We love to see retail and supply link up and showcase the greatness of produce.

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators of the businesses from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

• FNT Produce Co., operating out of Los Angeles, California, for failing to pay a $13,043 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Frank P. Aguirre was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business
• Mexamers, operating out of Brooklyn, New York, for failing to pay a $14,901 award in favor of a New Jersey seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Reuben Aguliar was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business
• California Fruit 183 Corp., operating out of New York, New York, for failing to pay an $11,824 award in favor of a New York seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Eugenio Alberto Cepin was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business
• Fruteria El Campesino, operating out of Aloha, Oregon, for failing to pay a $57,643 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Carlos Garcia, Maria L. Garcia Pineda, and Salvadore G. Galvan were listed as members of the business

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in USDA’s issuance of a reparation order that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanctions on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it, as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For contact information and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

BELIZE - The community of Red Bank, in the Stann Creek district of Belize, home to approximately 3,000 residents and many of Fyffes' employees, recently celebrated the official opening of its new health clinic funded by the country’s largest banana producer and distributor. As a result of this investment, Fyffes expects the Red Bank community will be incorporated into the national community medical visits system including facilitating access to pre and postnatal medical care.

“This project reflects Fyffes' commitment to the sustainable development of the communities where we operate and aligns with our priority community focus areas; access to nutrition and health, education, climate change resilience, and women’s empowerment,” said Stella Davis Fyffes Sustainability Manager.

The $70,000 donation from the multinational fresh produce company Fyffes has facilitated the previously unused health center’s remodeling and expansion, including two medical consultation rooms, a medication dispensary, separate medical waste disposal, restrooms, as well as comfortable outdoor and indoor waiting areas, a press release explained.

“Our vision for the health center aligns with that of the Ministry of Health: to provide quality medical care and well-being for all, now and into the future,” explained Alisha Solís-Augustine, Independence Polyclinic Registered Nurse, Midwife, and Supervisor.

The medical team, led by a local health nurse, will visit on the first Wednesday of each month to provide ongoing care, including child health clinics, routine vaccinations, family planning, and health education. The new center will also bring medical services directly to the community.

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