Produce industry headlines: August 12, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Read FMI’s statement on today’s food inflation report, how retailers can use results of conversational AI, retailers on the “2026 Companies that Care” list, the lasting impact of this summer’s outbreaks, and crop reports on grapes and melons.

To read about the latest food inflation numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, click here.

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

Top Stories

FMI Statement on July 2026 CPI Food Price Numbers

“July’s food price inflation figures continue the period of cooling we experienced in June, which should be welcome news for grocery shoppers,” said FMI’s Andy Harig.

Shoppers are finally telling grocers why they buy

The columnist says conversational AI has crucial implications for grocers and shows three ways how.

Wegmans Is Highest-Ranking Food Retailer on 2026 Companies that Care List

See the retailers who made People magazine’s “2026 Companies that Care” list, based on over one million employees surveyed.

Fresh Produce Categories Caught in Incorrect Messaging in Broader Cyclospora Impact

As the outbreak remains in the news cycle, its broader effects are reducing consumer confidence and produce consumption.

California grape shipments are close to 9 million boxes ahead of this same time last year

While the advance crop hasn’t affected the market this summer, some growers fear gaps later this year.

Weather prompts uneven US melon season

USDA reports melon shipments were down nationally, but the supplies vary significantly by growing region.