Professional produce industry news and analysis from the Director of Media Development for Blue Book Services.

Joined May 2009
327 Photos and videos
Mike Xu CEO of @GrubMarket tells me more about expansion/acquisition plans and what to expect as it exhibits for the first time at #nyproduceshow. producebluebook.com/2021/12/…

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Reported without value judgment: @USDA has the lowest vaccination rate among government agencies, after Biden Admin mandate deadline. producebluebook.com/2021/11/…

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We just got our answer from @pma producebluebook.com/2021/09/…

Another well attended conference for @OrgProduceSum @ProducepamelaR tells @GregofBlueBook but there was a lot of talk about an upcoming event. @FreshSummit producebluebook.com/2021/09/…
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Vertical farmer @plenty has a massive indoor farm coming online next year. VP Dana Worth told me about the company's growth plan. producebluebook.com/2021/09/…
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Twice in two weeks we have stories on warehouse expansions in Canby, OR. Sure enough, Dragonberry Produce and Caruso Produce are right next to each other. producebluebook.com/2021/08/… producebluebook.com/2021/08/…
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Thanks to Max @pma and Mollie @UnitedFresh for their ideas on improving #freshproduce access in @usda nutrition programs. producebluebook.com/2021/08/…

We're coming for you Big Snack.
Watch as @GregofBlueBook says @USDA should go farther to target SNAP dollar spending toward more healthful foods, and @ProducepamelaR doesn’t disagree but it may be out of reach with so much influence from the “big snack” lobby. producebluebook.com/2021/08/…
ICYMI: @GrubMarket CEO Mike Xu explained the company's growth strategy: producebluebook.com/2021/07/…

.@GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of New York wholesaler L&J Produce, its fourth produce company branch in the state. producebluebook.com/2021/08/…
The story behind the story here is that a huge Calif greenhouse is switching from veggies to cannabis. producebluebook.com/2021/08/… Meanwhile, after legalization in Canada, sales are awful. dailymail.co.uk/news/article…

August means it's football season. @goplantx has signed Chicago Bears QB @justnfields to promote a plant-based lifestyle. producebluebook.com/2021/08/…
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The concept of Upcycled Food gives me cognitive dissonance. I hate food waste, but I don't want to eat trash. How does it apply to fresh produce? @DrexelCNHP @pma @treasure8sf producebluebook.com/2021/07/…
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Water problems threaten @almondboard CA almond growers’ record crop and meeting rising demand. Just this week @USDA revised this year's crop down 10% from last year. producebluebook.com/2021/07/… producebluebook.com/2021/07/…

While the Northwest heat wave didn't do much to cherry volumes, it's been rough on blueberries. producebluebook.com/2021/07/…
It's a good time to promote #Strawberry as the crop defies CA heat problems. See @Markon_Produce field video. producebluebook.com/2021/07/…
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This high of temps in the NW is so unusual that many areas don't even have air conditioning. Of course they do in grocery stores but it couldn't beat the heat.
Pacific NW retailers, such as @FredMeyerStores @Albertsons pull perishables from shelves during heat wave. producebluebook.com/2021/07/…
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How long will transportation costs remain high? Many years say experts @GEODIS_Group @TomLangeCo @WeSpeakFresh @UnitedFresh producebluebook.com/2021/06/…
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Looking for some answers from @usda on how the $billions will be spend on Ag? Me too. producebluebook.com/2021/06/…

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.@usda promised $1B last week and another $4B this week for the food industry. Buy where and how? Insight from @UnitedFresh and maybe it will clear up today. producebluebook.com/2021/06/…
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All the cool kids buy their glasses at dollar stores. And never lose them.
This week, @ProducepamelaR and @GregofBlueBook talk cannabis agriculture, more deep discount retailers piloting fresh produce, and they've got a beef with plant-based marketing by retailers. producebluebook.com/2021/06/…
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Here are some produce trends that are here to stay according to leaders from @UnitedFresh @Wegmans @Walmart @cava @sunsetgrown @GrimmwayFarms producebluebook.com/2021/06/…
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