Produce industry headlines: July 21, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Links today include middle-income shoppers driving retail trends, snacking turns healthier, how retail AI investments are paying off, a North Carolina school district pulls fresh produce, the ITC rules on winter strawberries, crop updates and more.

As always, have something to share? Send us your feedback at news@bluebookservices.com.

Top Stories

Middle-Income Households Driving New Wave of Grocery Trade-Offs

As all shoppers hunt for grocery deals, a new report shows the group driving that behavior is shifting toward the middle of the income ladder, not shrinking entirely.

Snacking is a daily necessity that is turning healthier: report

A Circana report shows health-focused benefits are driving snack purchase decisions.

How the food industry is optimizing AI investments

FMI CEO Leslie Sarasin explains how retailers and suppliers’ tech investments are already paying off.

North Carolina district suspends fresh produce in schools

A North Carolina school district has removed fresh produce from school cafeterias until September in response to rising cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S., according to local news reports.

ITC confirms injury in winter strawberry antidumping case

The Florida strawberry industry scores a favorable ruling from the United States International Trade Commission.

Peak supply of California strawberries and raspberries continues

Growers report strawberry and raspberry supply is in peak quality and volume from California’s Central Coast with Watsonville and Salinas leading production.