Editor’s Picks
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Millions of children rely on schools not only for education, but for consistent access to food. This access is in jeopardy.
By Alex DiNovo
Weekend Interview
– a weekly feature –
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
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
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 –
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
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
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 –
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
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
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 –
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
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
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.
Go deeper with Produce Blueprints. Subscribe today to get access to Blueprints and a suite of data and insights.
Hear from our customers
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.”
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.”
