Produce industry headlines: July 7, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Links today include Kroger’s divestiture plan after Giant Eagle deal, grocers evaluating AI investments, the dangers of EPR laws, a value reset in foodservice, banana problems in Colombia, and more.

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

Top Stories

Kroger eyes Columbus for Giant Eagle divestitures: reports

Kroger said last week that it expects to divest some Giant Eagle locations to satisfy antitrust regulators regarding its $1.65 billion acquisition of Giant Eagle.

Are grocers making smart investments in back-end AI?

Retail experts say that while grocers see the potential in operational AI and have made strategic investments, they can’t just approach it as a plug-and-play strategy.

A Closer Look: EPR laws pose serious dangers to the produce industry

With Extended Producer Responsibility laws already taking hold in some states, the industry needs to band together for change.

Restaurants should brace for a value proposition reset

A foodservice expert says the reset requires understanding how the core menu sits with the consumer base, and how to balance the right price without losing net margin.

Armed groups halt banana production in Colombia’s Magdalena region

Asbama warns that escalating violence from armed groups has brought banana production to a halt in one of Colombia’s main producing regions.

USMCA review creates uncertainty for North American produce trade

A group of about 160 agricultural and food organizations from the three nations have called for the agreement to be renewed and strengthened.