The Packer

If tariffs are imposed on fresh products from Canada and Mexico, there could be long-term effects to consumption and access to fresh fruits and vegetables, says International Fresh Produce Association's Vice President of U.S. Government Relations Rebecca Freeman Adcock. IFPA has been working with the government and testifying before Congress, urging that if tariffs are imposed, fruits and vegetables should be exempt. “There is a trade deficit for the U.S. in fresh fruits and vegetables. We know this. We are making a case to the administration that tariffs are not the best opportunity to empower and help the U.S. producer or the U.S. food supply prosper,” Adcock told The Packer. “The U.S. has kind of done this to ourselves. We don’t have a reliable and stable labor supply.” loom.ly/ID7jZzs

Today is the final day to nominate someone for the Canadian Produce Person of the Year award. Each year this coveted award is presented to an individual who has excelled in all facets of their career in the past year, including business success, fostering relationships in the produce industry and giving back to the community. The individual may represent any area of the Canadian produce industry, including private, government or allied sectors. loom.ly/sVFoh4M

From a spectacular takeoff backed by billions of venture capital funding and inflated expectations to a slew of bankruptcies and the crushing reality that farming is farming and not a tech play, indoor agriculture has learned a great deal in the last 10 years. The lessons learned by an industry still in its relative adolescence, was a key theme of opening day at the 12th annual Indoor Ag-Con on March 11, where Tom Stenzel, executive director of the CEA Alliance, took the stage to moderate the keynote state of the industry panel. loom.ly/Y3wOXgE

The Healthy Family Project held its annual Thank You Reception at the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure 2025, with more than 200 produce industry professionals attending. The Healthy Family Project and its partners raised more than $260,000 to support Feeding America food banks, The Foundation for Fresh Produce and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. See more from Southern Exposure: loom.ly/JdCUHRQ

The Southeast Produce Council kicked off its 2025 Southern Exposure event with a luau-themed opening reception. Check out our coverage from Southern Exposure: loom.ly/ZReqN4o

With the theme of “Produce Means Family,” the Southeast Produce Council’s recent Southern Exposure decor reflected a Hawaiian island tropical feel. Get a look at some of the highlights from our booth visits: loom.ly/m63Ckno

From new packaging to fair trade bananas, exhibitors at the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure event gave attendees a lot to talk about. loom.ly/tmzPQ60

The deadline to nominate for the Canadian Produce Person of the Year award ends on Wednesday. Each year this coveted award is presented to an individual who has excelled in all facets of their career in the past year, including business success, fostering relationships in the produce industry and giving back to the community. The individual may represent any area of the Canadian produce industry, including private, government or allied sectors. loom.ly/sVFoh4M

U.S. potato growers continue to ship a strong 2024 crop out of storage as the year progresses, and they anticipate an equally solid crop for 2025. According to Denver-based Potatoes USA, total grocery store fresh potato sales were up 3% last year to about 4.8 billion pounds. Dollar sales were down about 5%, however, to just over $4 billion. Russet potatoes were the top-selling variety, accounting for 64% of potato sales, followed by yellow (16%), red (11%) and white (4%). “The crop this year was beautiful,” said Ross Johnson, vice president of retail and international for the Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission. loom.ly/n1gk-NQ

A full produce markdown rack can be a symptom of inefficiencies contributing to increased shrink, says columnist Armand Lobato. loom.ly/VtlZAV0