Editor’s Picks

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August & September
24 Aug 2026 3 minute read

August & September

What do a lack of cherries, back to school, literary leanings, and football have to do with one another? Read on to find out.

By Taryn Pfalzgraf
By the Numbers: 540 (or, the agony of packing school lunches)
10 Aug 2026 11 minute read

By the Numbers: 540 (or, the agony of packing school lunches)

What one school year of packed lunches can tell us about waste, time, and getting kids to eat what we sell.

By Jason Carty
Industry Insights: Seeing is believing
07 Aug 2026 5 minute read

Industry Insights: Seeing is believing

A live Blue Book platform demonstration is one of the most effective ways to help both new and existing members truly understand its value.

By Karigna Trinidad

Features

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Los Angeles: A healthy fresh flow despite variant woes
08 Sep 2026 8 minute read

Los Angeles: A healthy fresh flow despite variant woes

The City of Angels remains a marvel of moving all things fresh from field to market to customers near and far.

By Amy S. Landes
Midwest Spotlight: Style, substance, and ample supply
31 Aug 2026 7 minute read

Midwest Spotlight: Style, substance, and ample supply

The Heartland is a hub like no other, with outstanding seasonal crops and access to everything else customers need.

By Amy Bell
In the Spotlight: A is for Apples
24 Aug 2026 7 minute read

In the Spotlight: A is for Apples

Growers faced myriad challenges this season but look forward to a quality crop with solid production numbers.

By Heather Larson

Columns

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CEO’s Perspective: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
08 Sep 2026 4 minute read

CEO’s Perspective: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

What effect does a trade war have on an industry that runs on relationships? You guessed it, the answer has three parts.

By Kirk Soule
Industry Insights: Cyclospora, leafy greens, and possible pathways
04 Sep 2026 4 minute read

Industry Insights: Cyclospora, leafy greens, and possible pathways

Lettuce samples were infected, but we still don’t know how. Food safety expert Mauricio Rousselon shares his thoughts.

By Mauricio Rousselon
A Closer Look: American growers deserve more action and less talk 
31 Aug 2026 3 minute read

A Closer Look: American growers deserve more action and less talk 

The produce industry hears “food security is national security” from our country’s leaders but their actions don’t show they believe it.

By Greg Johson
CEO’s Perspective

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Last month I spent a few days in Montreal visiting produce and transportation customers. I went north wondering what a trade war actually does to an industry that runs on relationships, and I came home with an answer in three parts.

Kirk Soule

Weekend Interview

– a weekly feature –

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James Peterson, Wish Farms, Inc.
11 Sep 2026 15 minute read

James Peterson, Wish Farms, Inc.

Wish Farms is more than a fairy tale when it comes to berries, and new CEO James Peterson plans to set the bar even higher.

By Taryn Pfalzgraf
Matt Mandel, SunFed, Part 2
21 Aug 2026 9 minute read

Matt Mandel, SunFed, Part 2

Welcome back! Here’s Part 2 of anything and everything you always wanted to know about Matt Mandel and SunFed.

By Taryn Pfalzgraf
Matt Mandel, SunFed, Part 1
14 Aug 2026 9 minute read

Matt Mandel, SunFed, Part 1

If you don’t know his name, you’re either new to the industry or, well, hmmm. We talk to the one and only Matt Mandel.

By Taryn Pfalzgraf

Credit & Finance

– a bimonthly feature –

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Private Equity 101: What every business owner should know
20 Jul 2026 6 minute read

Private Equity 101: What every business owner should know

For those looking to the future, private equity can be a strategic growth partner or an exit strategy. Learn about both here.

By Taylor Fish
From Credit to Cash: Building a better process
13 Jul 2026 7 minute read

From Credit to Cash: Building a better process

Every receivable begins long before an invoice is issued; it begins with a credit decision.

By Bill Zentner
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

Applied Technology

– a bimonthly feature –

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Grower Innovations: The Rise of Biologicals
27 Jul 2026 7 minute read

Grower Innovations: The Rise of Biologicals

How beneficial insects, microbes, and even gene-targeting sprays are moving from niche tools to mainstream crop protection.

By Charles Boicey
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

Claims, Collections & Dispute Resolution

– a bimonthly feature –

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Dock to Dock: Trucks tested by berry loads in summer heat
17 Aug 2026 3 minute read

Dock to Dock: Trucks tested by berry loads in summer heat

When temperatures climb, shipping perishables pushes reefers to the limit to maintain the cool.

By Doug Nelson
Summer Spike: Blue Book members collect a cool million in June!
20 Jul 2026 1 minute read

Summer Spike: Blue Book members collect a cool million in June!

Need help recovering past-due invoices? Blue Book has the tools and assistance you need to collect these receivables.

By Doug Nelson
Dock to Dock: A ‘pass-through’ mindset has consequences for freight brokers
15 Jun 2026 4 minute read

Dock to Dock: A ‘pass-through’ mindset has consequences for freight brokers

Are the salvage returns from your customer supported? Veteran brokers avoid a “pass-through” mindset.

By Doug Nelson

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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.”