Produce industry headlines: October 30, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Friday, October 30, 2026, All Hallows’ Eve Eve (that’s what Halloween means). Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Read about Kroger’s value investment, another rise in grocery e-commerce, how young shoppers with kids are changing retail, a Weekend Interview with berry insight, Walmart’s automation plan, and broad ultraprocessed food reform support.

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

Top Stories

Kroger To Invest $5B In Customer Value With Lower Everyday Prices, Simpler Promotions

Kroger’s merchandising leader says the grocer will become ‘America’s ready meal destination’ while growing private label penetration to 40 percent.

Grocery e-commerce and in-store sales head in opposite directions

Circana data shows that online food and beverage sales rose more than 15% during the four weeks that ended Oct. 4, while physical store sales were down almost 3%.

Young parents are reshaping grocery shopping and forcing industry change

Research shows shoppers 45 or younger with children under 18 at home are less likely to shop at traditional retailers.

Weekend Interview: Scott Adams, Plant Sciences Genetics

For the second of our special two-parter, we take a look at the birth of the unique Rejoice blackberry and the breeder behind it.

Walmart and Symbotic ramp up automation and AI powered supply chain transformation push

The agreement to bring automation capabilities to 25 U.S. regional distribution centers includes an initial commitment of $6 billion in spend, covering work over several years.

Consumer appetite for ultraprocessed food reform extends beyond MAHA

A University of Pennsylvania study finds that nearly two-thirds of Americans support policies regulating chemicals and additives in food.