Produce industry headlines: October 8, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Thursday, October 8, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Links today include Publix store closures, consumer demand shifting to smaller packaging, Whole Foods’ everyday strategy, a Senator warns about food mergers, and California grape and pineapple crop updates.

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

Top Stories

Publix will close a handful of locations

The Southeast retailer plans to close four stores in Florida, two in Georgia, and one in South Carolina.

Grocery consumption shifts require smaller packages, NielsenIQ finds

Smaller households and food inflation have led to higher demand for smaller, less expensive food packs, a report finds.

Whole Foods CEO says grocery will turn Amazon from the ‘everything store’ into the ‘everyday store’

Jason Buechel, the CEO of Whole Foods, said the goal is “greater engagement, not only just within grocery, but the broader store.”

U.S. senator slams Kroger, Giant Eagle deal and two others

Sen. Elizabeth Warren targets three proposed food industry acquisitions and calls for more scrutiny of mergers that could raise prices for consumers.

California table grapes head for a third straight year of growth

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service forecasts California table grape production at 1.15 million tons in 2026, 10 percent more than the 1.05 million tons harvested in 2025.

From a pineapple surplus to a seasonal supply shortfall

After low supplies in August and September, Costa Rican pineapple volume is starting to improve.