Produce industry headlines: June 29, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Monday, June 29, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Read about Albertsons legal setback in failed merger suit, USDA on SNAP payment errors, grocery prices remain a top pain point, California’s new food labeling law, restaurants’ slow summer, crop updates on grapes and apples, and more.

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

Top Stories

Court rejects Albertsons bid for Kroger legal documents

A Delaware court rejected Albertsons’ bid to force Kroger to produce certain documents related to the planning of the companies’ failed merger, which means they are unable to access internal deliberations over antitrust divestitures.

SNAP payment error rates remain too high, USDA says

According to USDA data released last week, a majority of states had SNAP payment error rates during fiscal 2025 that could make them liable for benefit coverage costs.

Grocery prices top list of consumer pain points

A survey shows nearly two-thirds of consumers cite high grocery prices as a top financial pressure, and they blame both corporations and the government.

Californian Grocers Get Ready for Standardized Food Date Labels

Starting July 1, the new law makes California the first state to require standardized food date labeling and ban consumer-facing “sell by” dates.

Amid uncertainty, restaurants are expected to slow their summer hiring

Restaurants and bars are expected to hire fewer workers this summer amid a stagnant market, according to a forecast from the National Restaurant Association.

Smooth transition expected to 2026-27 Pacific Northwest apple crop

Washington apples in storage are lower than last season, and growing conditions have been generally good leading to the late summer 2026-27 season harvest.

Fourth of July push for California table grapes following early start

California grapes started about three weeks earlier than normal, and the gap from Mexico was about a week.