Produce industry headlines: August 13, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Thursday, August 13, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Links today include Sprouts in growth mode, Kroger’s store closure plan, Grocery Outlet’s Q2 financials, more analysis on food prices rising, a new weapon for fighting HLB, and an apple crop update.

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

Top Stories

How Sprouts balances self-distribution and store growth

“We try to build so, in each individual market, everything’s within a couple hours of each other so you can get marketing efficiencies, operations efficiencies, supply chain efficiencies, etc.,” says Sprouts Chief Development Officer Dave McGlinchey.

Major supermarket chain closes at least 39 stores as nationwide overhaul takes shape

Kroger plans to close about 60 locations that are underperforming by the end of this year.

Grocery Outlet sales rise in Q2 as retailer works through store closures

Grocery Outlet’s latest financial report shows results ahead of its outlook, its president and CEO says.

Food Inflation Continues to Put Pressure on Shoppers

Consumers are visiting more stores each week, relying more on digital coupons and buying more sale items than they did a year ago, according to a new report from Big Chalk.

A vaccine for trees: The new virus-powered weapon joining the fight against HLB

Silvec Biologics developed a modified virus to “inoculate” trees and induce them to produce a natural antimicrobial peptide found in spinach, which reduces greening levels.

PRO*ACT Crop Update: Washington takes the lead

Apple season is starting, and Washington expects to carry a larger volume load.