William Matthew “Bill” Coombs, managing partner and CEO of DLJ Produce, passed away Oct. 9 after a five-year battle with appendix cancer. He was 63. “Bill was a mentor, true friend and pioneer,” said Mike Asdoorian, DLJ’s vice president. Born in Upland, California, Coombs devoted more than 48 years to fresh produce, beginning alongside his […]

California specialty crops will receive $28.9 million in federal funding for 60 projects ranging from produce marketing and food safety to artificial intelligence-assisted table grape harvesting. The funding comes through USDA’s 2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which is distributing approximately $86.6 million nationwide for 609 projects across 56 states and territories. Specialty crops include […]

Soaring diesel costs are forcing California farmers to reduce field operations and reconsider investments as fuel expenses add another layer of financial pressure to agricultural production. A new California Farm Bureau survey of more than 1,000 farmers and ranchers found 40% are reducing field work because of diesel costs. Three out of four respondents reported […]

SnapDragon apples are entering the 2026 season with one of the variety’s largest crops to date after sales increased 18% last season, giving Crunch Time Apple Growers an opportunity to expand the brand’s retail presence. Harvest is underway across New York, where favorable rainfall and seasonal temperature changes helped produce good sizing and color, according […]

Del Monte Corporation used the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show to introduce six new products and showcase fresh and shelf-stable offerings together for the first time since much of the Del Monte brand was reunited under one owner. The company’s appearance at the Orlando show marked another step in integrating the […]