The Packer's editor-in-chief Tom Karst, news editor Chris Koger and retail editor Ashley Nickle bring you the news of the week, from romaine rules to H-2A confusion to news about two Produce Retailer of the Year winners.
Check out more in-depth coverage of these topics at the articles below.
Canadian romaine requirement could be a costly precedent — New Canadian food safety import requirements for U.S. romaine lettuce could cost the Canadian industry between $11 million and $13 million per week.
Costly and complicated rules just beginning for romaine — With added food safety compliance costs of perhaps $1 to $2 per carton, the complications are just beginning for California Salinas Valley romaine shippers and Canadian importers.
Suspended labor survey sows confusion over H-2A wage rates — How much growers will pay for guest workers in the H-2A program in 2021 is unknown because of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to suspend a report used to set wages.
"At the top of his game" — Jeff Cady is the 2020 Produce Retailer of the Year — Jeff Cady rarely misses an opportunity to get better, and that approach has served him well as director of produce and floral for Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops Friendly Markets.
Former Produce Retailer of the Year Mike Orf retires — Mike Orf, vice president of produce operations for Hy-Vee and the 2018 Produce Retailer of the Year, has retired.