2026 vegetable industry outlook: How labor, technology and trade will shape the year ahead
With the dawn of the new year, America’s vegetable and leafy-green growers find themselves balancing steady consumer demand with rising operational pressures. The past year reinforced a familiar truth for the sector: while produce remains... more »
Farm Market & Agritourism: Strategies to attract today’s farm market shoppers
Successful farm markets begin with understanding who your customers are rather than hoping “everyone” will shop with you. Large retailers use demographic data to tailor their offerings, and farm markets can do the same. Why... more »
Farm Market & Agritourism: What to do when market fluctuation affects prices
Prices for fruits and vegetables at the farm level can swing quickly because of weather and seasonal supply. Retail store prices, on the other hand, change more slowly. This happens because stores spread costs across... more »
Labor, smart farming tech, and agrivoltaics: 6 takeaways from Great Lakes EXPO 2025
There’s no doubt Michigan is a hotbed of specialty crop production. A recent study coauthored by the Michigan Vegetable Council and Michigan State University confirms as much, saying the state today hosts over 3,000 fruit... more »
USHBC names winners of first Blueberry Boost Accelerator Pitch Competition
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has named the winners of its first Blueberry Boost Accelerator Pitch Competition. The contest concluded the nine-week Blueberry Boost Accelerator, a program developed by USHBC with innovation advisory firm... more »
Farm Market & Agritourism: Aligning farm market products with consumer values
Consumer preferences are increasingly shaped by sustainability considerations, especially within direct-to-consumer (DTC) markets such as farmers markets, farm stands, retail farm markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA). Understanding and aligning with these sustainability values can help... more »
Improving your farm market performance
Running a successful farm market today means more than offering fresh produce. It requires smart planning, clear pricing and a layout that encourages customers to explore and buy. With rising costs and changing customer habits,... more »
Applications for USHBC blueberry leadership program now open
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has announced the graduation of the third class of fellows in its Blueberry Industry Leadership Program and is seeking applicants for its fourth class. The Oct. 10 graduation marks... more »
From research to real-word solutions
What’s ahead at the 2025 Great Lakes EXPO At this year’s Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO, University of Florida (UF) plant disease expert Katia Viana Xavier is scheduled to present a disease... more »
Top fresh food marketing trends for 2025
As we move further into 2025, the fresh food industry is evolving rapidly in response to consumer preferences, technological advances and global sustainability concerns. The most successful brands will be those that can adapt to... more »
