Produce

­For many growers, they see potatoes and onions as classic commodity crops – and consequently over-focus on growing and harvesting their products as inexpensively as possible so that they can sell at lower prices.  While that approach may work for some, Fresh Solutions Network (FSN) sees the equation differently.  FSN feels that only focusing on squeezing down costs can actually cost retailers more, by short-changing them on quality, innovation and marketing support. …

International real-time monitoring specialist Locus Traxx will be introducing a range of innovative products at this year’s Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid, Spain as the company brings its pioneering system for fresh produce shipments to Europe. …

Shenandoah Growers is pleased to announce that Steve Wright, formerly Director of Produce and Floral at Tops Supermarkets has joined the company as Vice President of Sales. Steve will be responsible for managing all fresh product line revenues and building an industry leading customer-driven selling and service organization. …

The United Fresh Start Foundation hosts the 2014 Tip Murphy Legacy Golf Tournament to support the United Fresh Foundation’s mission of increasing children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The United Fresh Start Foundation aims to increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to children as a critical step in combating childhood obesity and launching a lifetime of healthy snack and meal choices. …

Driven by changing demographics and an ever more curious consumer, grocers have found it pays to stock the shelves with exotics – breadfruit, taro, sugar cane. And, to compete with the latest superfruit, producers of old familiar standbys are creating novel hybrids. After a decade of development, the Witch Finger grape, from California grower Grapery, is now available in Canada – but just until late September. …