Produce industry headlines: May 11, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Monday, May 11, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Links today include Salt Lake City’s first Co-op grocery store, Flashfood’s shopper insight effort, BJ’s Texas expansion, and crop reports on cherries, organic bananas, and North Carolina, and more.

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

Top Stories

Salt Lake City’s 1st Co-op Grocery Store Prepares to Open

National Co+op Grocers announces that Wasatch Food Co-op, Salt Lake City’s first community-owned grocery store, will open on May 20.

Flashfood launches loyalty integration to offer grocers more shopper insights

The loyalty integration feature builds on Flashfood’s effort to provide its retail partners with more customer insights.

BJ’s continues Texas expansion

BJ’s Wholesale Club opened its first store in Texas in April and now has four locations in the state.

Sweetgreen records its biggest same-store sales decline as a public company

The fast-casual salad chain’s CEO says it’s at the start of a turnaround plan and the rollout of wraps.

Early start for Washington cherries but lighter volumes

California’s weather-damaged cherry crop will be smaller and end earlier, but Washington expects to start earlier, with good volume around June 6-8.

Millennials and Gen Z drive growth in organic banana category

Growers say organic banana demand usually slows after Q1, but supplies remain strong to meet the demand that isn’t falling off.

North Carolina Growers Embrace Resilience Amid Extreme Drought, Spring Heat

This spring brought a severe drought combined with unseasonable heat which has delayed early-season crops from vegetables to berries.