Editor’s Picks

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Food for Thought: The quiet crisis in school food funding
01 Jun 2026 8 minute read

Food for Thought: The quiet crisis in school food funding

Millions of children rely on schools not only for education, but for consistent access to food. This access is in jeopardy.

By Alex DiNovo
Grower Innovations: The Tech Reshaping the Field
18 May 2026 6 minute read

Grower Innovations: The Tech Reshaping the Field

With growers under increasing pressure due to high costs, technology is offering solutions in the field, packhouse, and beyond.

By Charles Boicey
Spotlight on Women in the Industry: All in a day’s work
06 Apr 2026 17 minute read

Spotlight on Women in the Industry: All in a day’s work

Say hello to Marina, Amy, Kim, Stephanie, Mary, Stefanie, Tara, and Satri, eight ladies who rock and rule the perishables supply chain.

By Karen Raugust

Features

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Melons in the Spotlight: Better than ice cream?
08 Jun 2026 8 minute read

Melons in the Spotlight: Better than ice cream?

Does an early start to the season foretell an outstanding year? Melon experts share their predictions for summer sales.

By Steven Maxwell
Signature Status: Showing some love to three fruit faves
01 Jun 2026 8 minute read

Signature Status: Showing some love to three fruit faves

Two are longtime staples and one is a more recent up-and-comer, but this fruit trio has plenty to offer in flavor and nutrition.

By Annemarie Mannion
Mangos in the Spotlight: Quality, quantity, and demand
25 May 2026 7 minute read

Mangos in the Spotlight: Quality, quantity, and demand

Mangos are not a new exotic fruit but an enduring favorite for most of the world, and the United States is no longer the exception.

By Leonard Pierce

Columns

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Blue Book Claims & Collections
08 Jun 2026 1 minute read

Blue Book Claims & Collections

With today’s market volatility affecting how everyone along the perishables supply chain conducts business, it pays to be wary and let Blue Book help.

By Doug Nelson
Industry Insights: Transforming independent retail through produce partnerships
01 Jun 2026 5 minute read

Industry Insights: Transforming independent retail through produce partnerships

Independent grocers face increasing pressure to differentiate, drive traffic, and build loyalty—fresh produce is the perfect solution.

By Gary Allen
Food for Thought: The quiet crisis in school food funding
01 Jun 2026 8 minute read

Food for Thought: The quiet crisis in school food funding

Millions of children rely on schools not only for education, but for consistent access to food. This access is in jeopardy.

By Alex DiNovo
CEO’s Perspective

Trust Doesn’t Transfer

Here’s why the solution to surety of supply for retailers and foodservice buyers is looking deeper into your supply chain—not just looking for the right brand names.

Kirk Soule

Weekend Interview

– a weekly feature –

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Weekend Interview preview: Mark Campbell, ProduceIQ
08 Jun 2026 2 minute read

Weekend Interview preview: Mark Campbell, ProduceIQ

If you’re not familiar with Mark Campbell or ProduceIQ, you’re not mastering the art of data. Find out what you’re missing.

Kirk Soule, Blue Book Services, LLC
29 May 2026 12 minute read

Kirk Soule, Blue Book Services, LLC

As we celebrate Blue Book’s 125th anniversary, here’s a thought-provoking conversation with our CEO, who marks three years at the helm.

By Taryn Pfalzgraf
Todd LaForest, Molly Pop
22 May 2026 13 minute read

Todd LaForest, Molly Pop

Todd LaForest planned to be a lawyer involved in the sports world, but when the legal path narrowed, the produce path widened.

By Kirk Soule

Credit & Finance

– a bimonthly feature –

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Collective Intelligence: The evolution of credit reporting
11 May 2026 6 minute read

Collective Intelligence: The evolution of credit reporting

For as long as businesses have extended credit, they’ve searched for ways to better manage risk. Sharing data fits the bill.

By Bill Zentner
Transparency as a Competitive Advantage
09 Mar 2026 7 minute read

Transparency as a Competitive Advantage

Today’s economic environment increasingly rewards openness, so information, when managed responsibly, is not a liability but leverage.

By Bill Zentner
Climbing Out of a Cash Flow Pinch
20 Jan 2026 6 minute read

Climbing Out of a Cash Flow Pinch

In an industry where product life is measured in days, cash management is not simply a finance function, it’s vital.

By Bill Zentner

Applied Technology

– a bimonthly feature –

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Grower Innovations: The Tech Reshaping the Field
18 May 2026 6 minute read

Grower Innovations: The Tech Reshaping the Field

With growers under increasing pressure due to high costs, technology is offering solutions in the field, packhouse, and beyond.

By Charles Boicey
Packaging Update: Emerging Tech
16 Mar 2026 5 minute read

Packaging Update: Emerging Tech

Smart packaging is changing the way perishable fruits and vegetables are protected, preserved, and sold across the industry.

By Charles Boicey
The Produce Department of Tomorrow: Emerging tech at point of sale
02 Feb 2026 5 minute read

The Produce Department of Tomorrow: Emerging tech at point of sale

Technology continues to reshape grocery store operations from the backroom to the checkout counter—what’s trending?

By Charles Boicey

Claims, Collections & Dispute Resolution

– a bimonthly feature –

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Perishable Cargo Claims: Short & Sweet!
25 May 2026 5 minute read

Perishable Cargo Claims: Short & Sweet!

Find answers to Blue Book’s FAQs about broker responsibility, “good arrival,” and conflicting temperature readings.

By Doug Nelson
Produce Pointers: Interpreting Inspection Certificates
13 Apr 2026 3 minute read

Produce Pointers: Interpreting Inspection Certificates

Do you know how to interpret a USDA inspection certificate? Remembering to consider the “Four Ts” can help.

By Doug Nelson
Perishable Cargo Claims Quiz: Assessing transit temperatures
23 Mar 2026 9 minute read

Perishable Cargo Claims Quiz: Assessing transit temperatures

Are you a claims pro? Have you seen a few temperature problems in your day? Test yourself with our True/False quiz!

By Doug Nelson

News and analysis you need.

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Hear from our customers

Chenail Import-Export

How Chenail Leverages Blue Book to Propel Its Growth.

“It helps people understand what kind of positioning you have in the market that you occupy, what kind of payment history you have, how you treat with troubles when you have troubles. It’s the best reference there is out there for people to understand who you are without knowing you.”

Tony Bono Image-min
Canadawide

How George Pitsikoulis of Canadawide Uses Blue Book as a Critical Tool for Business Success.

“Blue Book is the reference for our business, for the industry at large in regards to knowledge about commodities, the people we’re dealing with, and doing our due diligence. There’s no other tool that can replace it. The experience has been amazing from the very beginning.”