Produce industry headlines: July 17, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Friday, July 17, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Links today include analysis on Kroger’s Florida strategy and how inflation is changing grocery, plus insights on fractional CMOs, restaurant menu prices fall, and photo coverage of the Organic Produce Summit.

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

Top Stories

The Friday Checkout: Will Kroger’s push into Florida ever materialize?

Kroger’s pullback from Florida shows grocers’ challenges building scale in new regions.

Inflation is changing grocery again

A retail analyst asks, are retailers’ definition of value keeping up as consumer behavior keeps changing?

Industry Insights: What’s a fractional CMO and who needs one?

In a competitive marketplace, standing out is a necessity. Messaging matters, but how and when it’s delivered is crucial to success, says Diana McClean of DDM Fresh Marketing Strategy.

Restaurant menu prices slowed slightly last month and food costs fell

According to new federal data released this week, food costs declined in June as inflation cooled.

OPS hosts vibrant trade show floor

See more photo coverage of the 10th annual Organic Produce Summit.

Photo report of 10th annual Organic Produce Summit

More than 200 exhibitors showed their organic fruits and vegetables to retail buyers and supply chain partners at the July 16 expo.