The Packer

Imagine you’re shipping a 40-pound box of broccoli, of which, 20 pounds of it is ice and another 20 pounds of it is the broccoli itself. Wouldn’t it be more efficient if you were able to ship more broccoli and reduce the ice? That’s exactly what Verdant Technologies is hoping to solve with its HarvestHold product, a 1-methylcyclopropene-based postharvest solution that extends the usable product life of fruits, vegetables and flowers by an average of 40-50%. HarvestHold is Matthew Aronson, chief revenue officer of Verdant Technologies, joined the “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast to discuss the move away from ice in shipping fresh produce and the residual effects it can have. loom.ly/1ZbehA4

Tariff whiplash is consuming the fresh produce — and the possible impact is stirring up quite the debate. At present, President Donald Trump says he’s sticking to his plan to impose additional tariffs on the United States’ top three trading partners starting April 2. Do you agree with President Trump’s Use of tariffs? Let us know: loom.ly/l_gTMQk

Rising wages have made an already complicated — but critical — guestworker program almost too costly to participate, forcing growers to leave the industry or relocate production outside the U.S. Read the next in our series on ag labor: loom.ly/RElXO_4

U.S. banana suppliers say the industry remains robust, despite some recent weather challenges in certain growing areas, and they anticipate continued growth in 2025. The U.S. imported about 10.4 billion pounds of bananas valued at about $2.43 billion in 2024, up from 10.2 billion pounds valued at $2.38 billion in 2023, according to the USDA. “As a staple fruit enjoyed by consumers of all ages, bananas remain one of the most affordable and versatile options available,” said Jamie Postell, vice president of sales for Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Chiquita North America. loom.ly/bCryRlo

Desiree Pardo Morales, founder of TropicalFruitBox.com, transformed her family’s whole business, WP Produce, into a thriving direct-to-consumer platform, making tropical and exotic fruits accessible to consumers nationwide. loom.ly/2BZtGpY

Indoor Ag-Con 2025 drew more than 1,650 attendees and a record 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, technology and solutions for the controlled environment agriculture industry to the Westgate Las Vegas on March 11-12. The 12th annual conference and expo brought together industry professionals from across the indoor and vertical farming industry. On the expo floor, exhibitors offered an array of solutions aimed at addressing the specific needs of indoor growers. Check out the highlights from our booth visits: loom.ly/5Tl9RFQ

FarmWise, an AI and computer vision weeding technology company in the robotic precision weeding technology space is restructuring its business, CEO Tjarko Leifer told The Packer on March 14. The Salinas, Calif.-based company, which employs a staff of 50, is best known for its Vulcan next-generation, intra-row weeder and precision cultivator that launched in 2023. “The need for solutions like Vulcan has grown as growers face mounting pressure from labor shortages, rising input costs and operational complexities, said Leifer. “The technology has proven its ability to deliver meaningful efficiency gains and cost savings in the field. But even with growing demand and a product that works, achieving sustainable, profitable growth remains a significant challenge in today’s market.” loom.ly/LDpA0fA

The start of workday can be an experience that benefits the produce aisle and its people, says columnist Armand Lobato. loom.ly/UkO_v7M

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