Bowery Farming (Bowery), the modern indoor farming company, announced its newest leafy greens launch, Bowery Crispy Leaf Lettuce (Crispy Leaf). A reinvigorated version of iceberg lettuce that is refreshing and simple, Crispy Leaf boasts a bold color and satisfying crunch. The much-anticipated product, which goes from harvest to shelf in just a few days, will be available in the produce aisle at over 250 grocery stores and specialty markets in the Tri-State area and Mid-Atlantic region beginning in June 2020. Crispy Leaf will also be available through Bowery’s online partners, including Amazon Fresh, Peapod, and Hungryroot.

Robinson Fresh, a leader in fresh produce sourcing and supply chain solutions, announced the donation of more than 50,000 mangos to families in need. Totaling roughly 6,000 pounds, the mango supply was distributed at seven different Hy-Vee locations in Iowa earlier this month, including in Chariton, Cherokee, Denison, Marshalltown, Muscatine, Perry and Storm Lake.

The closures of restaurants, hotels, and schools have left growers with heaps of fresh produce without a destination. With crops often grown exclusively for the foodservice industry, growers who produce crops with a large percentage of production destined for this vital market segment are faced with incredible challenges amidst COVID-19 closures. 

The impacts of COVID-19 on the fresh produce industry are fast-moving. Unfortunately, this virus is spreading quickly around the entire globe. A regional issue has become a global one quite quickly, and most countries across the globe are responding with closed borders, complete lockdowns, and transportation limitations. With so much uncertainty at the pinnacle of this pandemic, we are bound to see impacts on our food system, and both supply and demand of fresh produce.