Produce industry headlines: September 25, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Friday, September 25, 2026, the last weekend of September. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Read about the AI challenges in grocery, Hy-Vee’s CEO on its strategy, GLP-1 effects on retail, how HLB-resistant varieties could reshape citrus, the Cyclospora outbreak’s effect on Olive Garden’s summer, and a strawberry crop update.

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

Top Stories

The Friday Checkout: Grocery AI is in full hype mode right now

Retail executives say investor pressure could lead some chains into moving too fast with AI.

The Diverse Strategy Behind Hy-Vee’s Success

“We’ve got a unique strategy and go to market, and we’re very diverse as an organization,” said CEO Jeremy Gosch at Groceryshop.

How the transition to HLB-resistant cultivars could reshape citrus economics

Adopting these new varieties might pose economic and practical challenges for growers, university researchers say.

Grocery execs may want to pay more attention to GLP-1 use

A Groceryshop executive said retailers may underestimate how GLP-1 use will reshape the industry, as it’s a lifelong treatment, and nearly three-fourths of Americans are considered overweight.

Cyclospora outbreak put a damper on Olive Garden’s summer

The Italian casual-dining chain scrapped a plan to promote its long-standing offer of unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks last quarter after a Cyclospora outbreak was linked to tainted iceberg lettuce, even though Olive Garden was not implicated.

Santa Maria strawberries coming into peak supply

While the fall crop in Salinas should be available through October, Santa Maria supplies are going strong.