Craig Levitt

1 week ago | theproducenews.com | Craig Levitt

The more things change…. Almost 11 years ago, Market Basket's board of directors fired Arthur T. Demoulas, president and CEO, along with two other executives: Bill Marsden, director of operations; and Joe Rockwell, vice president of grocery. Combined, the three men had been with the company for more than 110 years. A few months later the company was sold and Demoulas and his team returned to power.

2 weeks ago | theproducenews.com | Craig Levitt

By Craig Levitt May 23, 2025 Organics are no longer that mysterious area in that produce aisle where only a handful of eclectic shoppers bother to go. Organics are now mainstream, which of course means those massive year-over-year sales increases are long gone, replaced by consistently strong sales. According to the Organic Produce Network and its State of Organic Produce report, fresh organic produce sales reached $9.5 billion, up 5.7 percent. Volume was up 6.1 percent.

3 weeks ago | theproducenews.com | Craig Levitt

By Craig Levitt May 14, 2025 Online grocery sales continue to grow with April’s total sales reaching $9.8 billion, a 15.2 percent increase compared to last year and the ninth consecutive month above $9.5 billion, according to the latest Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey, sponsored by Mercatus.

1 month ago | theproducenews.com | Craig Levitt

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." — Chares DarwinI think it is safe to say that the grocery industry is coming to a crossroads. Artificial intelligence has infiltrated all walks of life, and the retailers that don’t embrace the technology do so at their own peril. Food retail is an incredibly competitive business and food stores work on very small margins to begin with.

1 month ago | theproducenews.com | Craig Levitt

By Craig Levitt April 24, 2025 The South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the Eastern Produce Council hosted a night at the driving range at TopGolf in Edison, NJ, on April 22. The event marked the 53rd year of the SCDA and EPC relationship. Prior to tee off, Michael Cranford of the SCDA, along with members of the South Carolina contingent, promoted the crops the state offers, which include peaches, watermelon and specialty crops.