UNITED STATES - The blueberry market remains steady overall, with pricing largely supported by prior commitments and variable supply conditions across major import channels, according to the USDA’s National FOB Review on January 21, 2026.

Chilean imports moving through the Philadelphia area are seeing fairly good demand with steady market conditions. Large 12 1-pint flats are ranging from $21.00–$30.00, mostly $24.00–$28.00, with most movement tied to previously committed sales. Quality is reported as good, with product moving primarily via boat.

Peruvian imports entering through the Philadelphia and New York City areas are experiencing light supply with fairly good demand. Pricing for large 12 1-pint flats is holding between $28.00–$33.00, mostly around $30.00, with occasional highs reported from $33.00 up to $38.00. Organic blueberries are commanding a premium, with prices ranging from $34.00–$40.00, mostly $38.00, and isolated highs reaching $45.00. As with Chilean product, most volume is moving on prior commitments, with quality reported as good.

Mexican blueberries crossing through Arizona, California, and Texas are facing fairly light demand, with markets reported about steady. Flats of 12 6-ounce cups are trading between $12.00–$16.00, with a wide range in pricing reflecting variable quality. Palletizing and cooling are included in reported pricing, with some lower prices noted.

Overall, the blueberry market remains balanced, with steady pricing supported by import flows and pre-arranged sales. Peruvian fruit continues to command higher price points due to tighter supplies, while Chilean imports provide more moderate pricing. Mexican crossings remain value-oriented but show wider variability tied to quality.

ANUK will continue to follow how import availability and demand levels shape pricing.

CINCINNATI, OH & SUNNYVALE, CA - The Kroger Co. announced an expanded relationship with Google Cloud. The leading grocery chain will use the Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience (CX) solution to support its customer experience transformation, combining cutting-edge technology with the care, food knowledge and understanding customers expect from Kroger – all into a new personal shopping assistant.

Under the expansion, Kroger will roll out Gemini Enterprise for CX nationwide to help make grocery planning easier through an integrated Meal assistant and Shopping assistant – providing faster shopping, without compromising on unique customer preferences.

In addition to deploying Gemini Enterprise for CX, Kroger will also use Customer Experience Agent Studio to analyze interactions and intent on calls made by customers to stores to proactively identify and resolve issues earlier, enhance associate productivity, and deliver a more seamless, "white-glove" experience nationwide.

"We know our customers want an experience that is seamless and adapts to the context of their day, and the Shopping assistant is one more way we will transform how our customers will engage with us," said Yael Cosset, executive vice president and chief digital officer for Kroger, in the recent release. "A customer planning a week of dinners, seeking recipe inspiration, or jumping into a new food regimen, will be able to ask our integrated assistant to create a shopping list based on their immediate needs, their budget, and family's unique preferences. We are streamlining every aspect of the shopping experience from building a basket and getting relevant offers and savings, to scheduling a delivery faster than ever before. We are making grocery shopping simpler and more personal, creating more time for real connections around foods families love."

Building a Personal Shopping Companion

Kroger has been helping families find foods they love for nearly 150 years, by removing the need for customers to compromise on the choice of product, including innovative Our Brands products, offering more options to shop how they want in store, through pickup or delivery, and providing personalized offers and value to each customer.

Kroger's Shopping Assistant will build upon this foundation, reducing the time it takes to complete complex, multi-step tasks without requiring a lot of input from customers. The Shopping assistant incorporates AI-enabled features such as:

• Intelligent execution: Agentic integration, allowing the assistant to complete complex tasks from a single instruction—such as explore meal ideas, build complex carts for a big occasion, reorder a past purchase, or compare product details.
• Inspiration-to-cart flow: Converts a customer request, like "I want to prepare vegan tomato soup" into a guided recipe, with a detailed ingredient list, that can be added to their shopping carts with a single click.
• Accurate and grounded: Makes recommendations based on Kroger's proprietary data asset and grounded in actual assortment, pricing, and availability, meaning customers receive relevant, reliable suggestions they can act on immediately. The Shopping assistant takes advantage of Kroger's precise understanding of customer needs, and will deliver a complete solution—from finding value, to planning, to purchasing a full meal—that every member of the family will enjoy.

"Kroger is pioneering the future of commerce by embracing true generative and agentic AI at the heart of their customer journey," said Darshan Kantak, vice president of product for applied AI at Google Cloud. "With Gemini Enterprise for Commerce, Kroger will be setting a new standard for grocery, ensuring its agent becomes a comprehensive digital concierge across every customer touchpoint."

EAGLE, ID - The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is introducing Top That Tater™, a new chef-inspired seasoning created to celebrate everything people love about Idaho® potatoes, from mashed and baked to fried and roasted, while exploring new, flavorful ways to keep the crop at the center of the plate.

Officially titled Top That Tater, Seasoning for Potatoes & More, the product was developed as a natural extension of the Idaho® potato story. With potatoes prepared in countless ways, IPC set out to create a seasoning that consistently complements potatoes across every preparation while remaining versatile enough to use beyond them.

“This really was a passion project,” said Jeweldean Hull, Managing Director of the Idaho Potato Commission, in the recent release. “Potatoes are incredibly versatile, and we wanted a seasoning that could keep up with that. Top That Tater was created to be one of those blends you reach for again and again, something that just works on potatoes no matter how they are prepared, but still makes sense across the rest of the plate.”

Top That Tater™ is made with high-quality ingredients, contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, is Non-GMO, and low sodium. The custom glass bottle features an airtight, built-in grinder designed to naturally lock in freshness without the need for preservatives, delivering bold flavor with every turn. A 4oz refill pouch with seal to easily add more fresh seasoning to your bottle as needed.

While created with potatoes in mind, the seasoning was intentionally designed to go further, complementing meats, vegetables, eggs, and everyday meals and encouraging creativity in both home and professional kitchens.

Availability

Top That Tater™ will officially launch on January 29, 2026, but available to preorder now! Orders begin shipping on 1/29/26. The seasoning will be sold via shop.idahopotato.com, at the Idaho Potato Commission’s local office, and promoted and sold across IPC social platforms. Expanded distribution, including Google Merch, Instagram store, Tik Tok shop and eventually Amazon.

In addition to retail availability, Top That Tater™ will be featured and resold by some local boutiques and restaurants alike.

EMERYVILLE, CA - Grocery Outlet Holding Corp., a high-growth, extreme value retailer of quality, name-brand consumables and fresh products, announced that it raised enough funds to provide two million meals* to people facing hunger through its holiday campaign with Feeding America®, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization.

The initiative, which ran from mid-November through December 31, was part of Grocery Outlet’s ongoing commitment to fight hunger and support the local communities it operates in. During the campaign, customers were invited to donate at checkout, and store operators were able to choose which local food bank or community organization they wished to support. Grocery Outlet also matched a portion of donations to amplify the impact, altogether raising over $200,000.

“Food insecurity continues to affect millions of Americans, and we are proud to stand alongside Feeding America to make a meaningful difference,” said Jason Potter, Grocery Outlet Chief Executive Officer, in the recent release. “Thanks to the generosity of our customers and the dedication of our store teams, we helped provide two million meals to people who need them most.”

Feeding America estimates that 47 million people in the U.S. face hunger, including 13 million of whom are children.

“We are grateful to Grocery Outlet and its customers for their incredible support in helping us provide meals to families who are facing hunger,” said Lauren Biedron, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America. “Partnerships like this are essential to ensuring that everyone has access to the food they need.”

^{*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local partner food banks.}

TEXAS - Joining much of the Southwest corridor at the end of last week in Tucson, Arizona, for the 2026 SWIPE, there was one topic outside the agenda that had attendees buzzing: the outlook for traveling home.

With many in attendance from Texas and the East Coast, there was a lot of well-wishing for safe and timely flights ahead of the big storms anticipated in the regions—just one impact of the looming snow and ice.

The Hort Americas team, promising to continue to respond to orders, emails, and phone calls as quickly as possible, asked customers to “please be aware Texas is expected to experience inclement weather over the next couple of days. Shipping delays, due to ice, are a possibility.”

Further east, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market closed Sunday due to the incoming weather and its potential impact on market operations.

“Because conditions may still change, weather and site conditions will be reassessed no later than Sunday evening to determine whether the market can safely reopen on Monday,” the company said in a statement.

On the ground in Texas, Tony Incaviglia of GR Fresh gave me more insight into what could be expected.

“The primary impact will be logistically, as ice and severe weather up and down the Midwest and all states east of the Mississippi, limiting truck movement. Supply seems to remain healthy, although we just received word that some wet weather in western Mexico growing regions will slow production, but transportation will be the main challenge over the next week or so here in the U.S….Once conditions improve, we anticipate a window to fill supply pipelines caused by shipping delays and we are preparing for that increase in demand,” the Vice President of Sales and Marketing shared.

As one SWIPE panel discussed produce strategies amid unprecedented situations, Kristi Novak, Produce Buyer for H-E-B, emphasized the importance of relationships and connections amid challenges like the inclement weather currently facing the Lone Star State.

“You align in communication, there is a lot coming from all sides. We at H-E-B have a team specifically to handle emergency events. It is just about communication and navigating expectations,” she explained.

Maintaining that open line as the buy-side and supply-side work together to meet the demands for what consumers need, she continued, especially at such a time, stands out as warehouses and retailers navigate what is available.

“Thankfully, we have strong connections with our suppliers, so there is that trust to meet needs as we see this through,” Kristi observed.

Business Insider reported that at least 800,000 people are enduring freezing weather without power as storms sweep the U.S. Spread more than 2,000 miles from New Mexico to Maine, the system hit the south-central U.S. on Friday night and is now impacting the Northeast.

Fox 4 reported Sunday that Dallas County officials were working to get the ice and snow off the roadway. An Ice Storm Warning was in effect for parts of North Texas through Sunday at noon, with a Winter Storm Warning in effect for North and Central Texas through noon Sunday, followed by an Extreme Cold Warning through noon Tuesday.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on any effects throughout the industry and those who make it possible to bring fresh produce to market. In the meantime, we hope everyone stays safe and well amid these extreme weather conditions.

OXNARD, CA - As our industry front line continues to build programs driven by high-quality and high-value partners, companies like Freska Produce International are meeting the needs of today’s consumer and customer with strategies built to last. At this year’s SEPC Southern Exposure, slated for February 26 to March 1, Freska will showcase its passion and commitment to its partners and reinforce the future of its supply.

“At Southern Exposure, Freska will be spotlighting our full mango program across seasons and origins, with a strong focus on our Mexican Honey Mango (Ataulfo) deal as Southern Mexico comes on, along with our transition from Peru Kents through the late-winter window,” Gary Clevenger, Managing Member, Freska Produce International, shares. “SEPC is the perfect place to show buyers how we keep mangos covered all year with multiple origins, multiple shipping points, and the market knowledge to help customers time promotions and stay in stock, along with our dried mangos, avocados, and dragonfruit.”

Freska shares that we can expect Mexican Honey Mangos to hold with strong availability in both large and small sizes as the season starts.

Peru Kents will have continued arrivals during the transition window (late winter). In addition, Mexico Tommy Atkins (Reds) will have limited availability starting early February, building into mid-to-late March, with sizing expected to peak large to medium. Gary emphasizes that many factors can impact the current state of the market, but this is how the category currently stands for Freska.

“We also have the added value of shipping flexibility with multiple shipping points to keep customers covered and freight-efficient,” Gary informs me, for example, Mexico through Nogales, Arizona, and McAllen, Texas; and Peru Reds through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Oxnard, California.

Expect to experience Fair Trade options, organic offerings, and Freska’s dried mango line that's 100 percent organic with no additives—just natural organic mango slices. The company’s Mexican avocado program will also be a strategic focus, executing on steady availability and consistent quality.

“For our California avocado program, we bring our partners the market insight that helps growers and buyers plan with confidence,” Gary explains. “And we are very excited about our dragonfruit program, featuring reliable supply and specifications built for retail and foodservice.”

“We want buyers to walk away with one clear message: Freska is built to be a year-round, solutions-first partner—backed by supply continuity, logistics coverage, and real market intelligence,” Gary describes. “A year-round availability mindset that plans transitions early ensures customers are not scrambling between seasons. Freska helps customers make smarter buying decisions with real-time market feel—timing, sizing, and promotion windows. When you work with Freska, you are not just buying fruit, you are gaining a partner that helps you manage the category all year.”

The Southeast Produce Council has been a relationship-builder for Freska, creating a place where conversations turn into long-term partnerships.

Stop by booth #718 at SEPC Southern Exposure and meet Tom Hall, Freska’s Sales Director, and learn more about the amazing program behind the team.

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC, CANADA - Sollum Technologies, an expert in dynamic LED lighting for controlled environment agriculture, recently published a blog post highlighting the most important LED lighting qualities for system adaptability and operational performance.

“Choosing lighting based solely on efficiency numbers or price per micromole is an outdated approach,” Abhay Thosar, Chief Horticultural Specialist, shared with AndNowUKnow. “The right LED solution evolves with your greenhouse. It’s not about having the most powerful fixture—it’s about having a system that supports changing light conditions, crop cycles, and operational goals without locking you into outdated technology.”

The article, How to Choose the Best Commercial Greenhouse LED System, highlights some of the key capabilities that set effective greenhouse lighting systems apart from less dynamic systems. This includes the ability to:

• precisely adjust spectrum, intensity, and Daily Light Integral (DLI) in real time so lighting responds to crop needs and external conditions
• manage lighting by zone to reflect differences across a greenhouse floor
• integrate seamlessly with existing control systems instead of requiring costly overhauls
• support the ongoing evolution of greenhouse operations without constant hardware replacement

The insights revealed in Sollum’s latest blog post are backed by the company’s experience deploying dynamic LED systems that help growers achieve consistent output and energy efficiency across seasons. “As greenhouse growers continue to navigate rising energy costs, seasonal light variability, and expectations for year-round quality production, the question of which LED lighting system is truly ‘best’ has become more complex—and more important—than ever,” the company stated in a recent release.

Sollum’s LED systems adapt as conditions change—from natural light shifts to crop cycles and market pressures—providing a solution as dynamic as the industry it was made for.

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