Posts Tagged “feature”
Dark sweet cherries are a treat for the taste buds, but enjoying them regularly could also boost gut health and sharpen the mind.
Texas A&M University Research Scientist Giuliana Noratto Stevens has looked into the health effects of dark sweet cherries for Northwest Cherry Growers and the Washington State Fruit Commission for over 10 years.
Noratto and her team have published multiple studies on the impact of long-term consumption of dark sweet cherries on metabolic disorders and gut health, showing that the fruit can improve both digestive and mental performance.
One of Noratto’s studies, published in 2024 in the health and science journal Food & Function looked into dark sweet cherries’ role in the sugar levels of obese patients.
The data showed that long-term daily intake of the fruit in juice and powder forms by obese patients with no chronic diseases increased the abundance of bacteria that support a healthy gut ecosystem compared to the control group.
Subjects also experienced reduced levels of bacteria associated with intestinal inflammation and metabolic disorders, a curbed presence of pro-inflammatory bacteria, and stable amounts of probiotic bacteria.
These benefits were most pronounced in participants with a BMI over 35, who are at higher risk for metabolic disorders.
And if these positive effects were not enough, Noratto Stevens explains that dark sweet cherry supplementation also significantly improved working memory and concentration.
“Working memory is the brain’s mental workspace that enables us to follow multi-step instructions, perform mental calculations, plan, and make decisions,” she explained. “These are essential mental skills for effective functioning, learning, and decision-making.”
The health powers of sweet dark cherries are not due to one key compound, but stem from the interaction of a particular natural blend of elements in the fruit.
“They result from the combination of bioactive compounds naturally present in dark sweet cherries, including polyphenols and dietary fiber,” she noted. “These compounds are metabolized by the gut microbiome into new bioactive metabolites, which can be more potent than the original compounds.”
What’s more, this rare mix of compounds also has neuroprotective effects. During Noratto Stevens’ research, dark-sweet cherry drinkers showed lower levels of a neurotransmitter called neuropeptide neurotensin compared to control groups.
High circulating levels of this chemical have been associated with cognitive deficits and metabolic risk factors, the scientist explained, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
It is no wonder that dark sweet cherries nourish both mind and gut, since these two systems are deeply linked and often thrive together.
“Multiple studies have shown that gut health significantly influences cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, learning, mood, and decision-making,” Noratto Stevens explained.
Her confidence in these benefits runs so deep that she said most of her mornings begin with a bowl of plain Greek yogurt, frozen, pitted dark sweet cherries, and a sprinkle of the very cherry powder used in her research.
A combination of heavy snow, ice accumulation, and dangerous cold made roads treacherous during Winter Storm Fern and for days after, causing widespread paralysis of supply chains and boosting demand for available trucks.
The weather heated up the spot truckload freight market during Jan. 25-31 (Week 5). The total number of loads posted to the DAT One load board topped 3.6 million, a 40% increase from the previous week, and truck posts dropped 18% to 200,769—almost exactly what we’d expect from a storm of Fern’s magnitude. National average spot rates were higher across all three equipment types.
Freight trends from DAT One and DAT iQ
Spot market data for Jan. 25-31, 2026 (Week 5)
Broker-to-carrier 7-day average spot rates:
▲ Dry van: $2.38 per mile, up 11 cents week over week
▲ Refrigerated: $2.85 per mile, up 15 cents
▲ Flatbed: $2.53 per mile, up 1 cent
Dry van
▲ Van loads: 1.65 million, up 55% week over week
▼ Van equipment: 142,817, down 19% week over week
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.01 per mile, up 11 cents week over week
Reefer
▲ Reefer loads: 1 million, up 71% week over week
▼ Reefer equipment: 36,670, down 10% week over week
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.49 per mile, up 15 cents week over week
Flatbed
▲ Flatbed loads: 1 million, up 5% week over week
▼ Flatbed equipment: 21,282, down 18% week over week
▲ Linehaul rate: $2.16 per mile, up 1 cent week over week
Note: Linehaul rates exclude an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge.
Analysis from Dean Croke, Industry Analyst, DAT Freight & Analytics
Last week’s 11-cent increase in the national average spot dry van rate was the largest week-over-week increase in more than three years. That’s nearly 30 cents higher year-over-year and exceeds the five-year average by 36 cents, excluding the 2020 and 2021 pandemic years.
The relative scarcity of available trucks was exacerbated in the refrigerated market as shippers competed for insulated trailers to protect dry van freight from freezing. The freeze-risk pricing premium sent spot reefer rates soaring last week.
At $2.16 per mile, the national average spot flatbed rate increased by 1 cent last week, a modest boost compared to the van and reefer markets. The rate is 19 cents higher year over year, however, and exceeds the five-year average (excluding 2020 and 2021) by 25 cents.
About DAT Freight & Analytics
DAT Freight & Analytics operates DAT One, North America’s largest truckload freight marketplace; DAT iQ, the industry’s leading freight data analytics service; the Convoy Platform automated freight-matching service; Trucker Tools, the leader in load visibility; and Outgo, the financial services platform for truckers. Check out the latest DAT iQ Market Update every Tuesday or on demand: https://www.youtube.com/DATLoadBoards.
Load and truck posts refer to the number of posts on the DAT One marketplace during Week 5 (Jan. 25-31). Load volume refers to the number of loads moved. Rates are aggregated from invoice data submitted to DAT iQ. dat.com
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Southern Specialties of Pompano Beach, FL, a leading importer and distributor of specialty produce, is pleased to announce excellent availability of premium white asparagus in anticipation of the 2026 Valentine’s Day (February 14) and Easter (April 5) holidays. As a centerpiece of sophisticated seasonal dining, Southern Specialties is positioned to meet high demand across both retail and foodservice sectors.
The company is a premier grower, importer, processor and shipper of a variety of specialty products grown in Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada and the U.S. The company distributes from its Pompano Beach, Florida headquarters, and facilities in San Luis, AZ.
White asparagus offers a unique culinary profile that distinguishes it from its green counterpart. The spears maintain a striking pearlescent color and a delicate, nutty flavor with a tender texture.
“We are seeing excellent quality from our farm as we head towards two of the most important dining holidays of the year,” said Jami Dingler, sales manager for Southern Specialties. “Valentine’s Day and Easter represent the perfect opportunities for chefs and retailers to showcase this elegant vegetable, providing consumers with a premium experience that elevates any holiday menu.
Merchandising white asparagus on the shelf next to green asparagus creates a focus point that draws shoppers to the product, enhancing interest.” Dingler says.
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Philadelphia, PA – PhilaPort capped off a milestone year in 2025, posting record container throughput and outperforming national and regional trade trends to remain a leader among U.S. East Coast container ports.
PhilaPort handled a record 889,268 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, representing a 6% year-over-year increase in container volume. This result exceeded overall U.S. trade growth projections of approximately 3%, underscoring Philadelphia’s continued strength in the container market. Since 2020, PhilaPort’s container volumes have increased by 39%, reflecting sustained, long-term growth.
Through November 2025, PhilaPort also outpaced other North Atlantic container ports, which collectively reported more modest growth, compared to PhilaPort’s 7% increase over the same period.
A key driver of this performance remains PhilaPort’s specialization in temperature-controlled cargo. In 2025, 64% of PhilaPort’s containerized imports were refrigerated, reinforcing the Port’s role as a premier East Coast hub for perishable goods and cold-chain cargo.
“Over the past several years, we have built an operating environment that competes and wins,” said Jeff Theobald, Executive Director and CEO of PhilaPort. “These results show that Philadelphia is not just keeping pace, but pulling ahead, and the foundation is firmly in place for continued success.”
PhilaPort’s container productivity was further underscored by its recognition as the most productive port in North America in the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence Container Port Performance Index, which evaluates ports based on vessel turnaround times and operational efficiency.
With record container volumes and sustained growth, PhilaPort enters 2026 positioned to build on its momentum and remain a top-performing container port on the U.S. East Coast.
Carrot supplies will remain limited through February due to weather-related issues that are reducing yields in California, according to Markhon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Value-added packs such as Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Baby Carrots, RSS Carrot Coins, RSS Carrot Matchsticks, and RSS Shredded Carrots will require advance order lead time of 96 hours to help fill orders in full.
California
- Supplies will remain extremely tight through February due to prior rain damage
- Growers are holding to six-week averages
- Expect a demand-exceeds-supply market through February; 96-hour lead times are necessary to help fill orders
- During this period, packer label will be substituted as needed
- Substitutions are available out of Arizona and Georgia
- Expect elevated markets and limited supplies through February
Georgia
- The season is in full swing and will run through early June
- Commodity supplies are snug; quality is very good
- Expect elevated markets as this region helps fill the void from California
Arizona
- The season is in full production and will run through July
- Quality is great
- Size is small but will increase as the season ramps up over the next three weeks
- Markets will start high, but ease as the season progresses
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By Kenny Lund, ALC Logistics
This past November, the United States stopped the production of the penny. It will take years for the penny to be flushed out of the system, as there are billions in circulation, but slowly, it will end up just a memory of an era gone by.
“Back in the day,” watermelon could be sold for as low as two pennies a pound when there was an oversupply. Changes in produce production and supply chain can be measured in pennies, but they can and should be measured in so many other ways. Likewise, availability, color, size, travel costs, packaging, shelf life, nutrition, and sugar content are just some of the many ways to measure the value of a watermelon. Anyone who has produced, purchased, or sold watermelon over a lifetime will tell you the dramatic complexities in the business compared to “yesteryear.” Like pennies in a jar, over time those changes add up. “Nowadays,” a watermelon’s price might reach 87 cents per pound, but it reflects the cost of delivering a sweeter and higher-quality fruit.
Multiply that complexity by the number of fruits and vegetables in the marketplace today. Some of which did not even exist when our company was founded 50 years ago. Today’s sophisticated shopper wants great produce year-round at a reasonable price. The complexity is managed by the growers, transportation companies, wholesalers, and retailers. These complex processes add pennies to the cost, but more importantly, they add quality and availability of the best produce in the world.
Complex growing systems, sales systems, transportation management systems, monitoring systems, appointment systems, and inventory management systems are working through the process to make things “easier.” AI is being injected into all these systems to make the complex even simpler. While I have my doubts on how seamless this transition will be, the goal is clear: a connected world that delivers fresh produce 365 days a year. Ideally, these advancements won’t just streamline logistics; they will give us the freedom to pause and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Time will tell if AI will free us up to have more time to relax and enjoy a slice of watermelon, purchased for just a few hundred pennies. The copper penny and the produce stand may both be fading into history, but the future of fresh produce is brighter than ever—evolving from a destination down the road to a seamless experience delivered right to our door, wherever we may be.
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Kenny Lund graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Business Administration. He managed the Los Angeles refrigerated transportation division of the Allen Lund Company for eight years, before shifting full-time into managing the Information and Technology Department in 1997, becoming the Vice President of the department in 2002. Lund was promoted to Vice President – Support Operations in 2005. In 2014, Kenny, in the position of VP of ALC Logistics, began working with that division of ALC to sell their AlchemyTMS software solutions. In 2019, Lund was promoted to Executive Vice President of ALC and ALC Logistics.
ken.lund@allenlund.com
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The Association of Avocado Producers and Export Packers of Mexico (APEAM) began a historic shipping season ahead of the Super Bowl.
The Super Bowl will be played Sunday, February 8th with a clash between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
The organization is projecting the shipment of 127 thousand tons of Mexican avocados into the United States during the four weeks prior to the event, representing an 11 percent increase over the previous year and a new historical record.
This achievement is the result of the coordinated work between producers and packers in Michoacán and Jalisco. Thanks to their microclimate, soil composition, and decades of agricultural experience, the states are consolidated as strategic regions to guarantee a constant supply of Mexican avocado throughout the year, meeting the growing demand of the American consumer.
APEAM expects fruit of excellent quality, in optimal condition for consumption, for the 2025-2026 season. This is the result of favorable weather patterns, constant rainfall, and the industry’s continuous investment in better agricultural practices.
Out of the total volume programmed for export, 88 percent will come from Michoacán and 12 percent from Jalisco.
The Super Bowl remains the largest consumption event for Mexican avocado in the United States, with more than 114 thousand tons consumed, mainly in the weeks leading up to it. During week 3 alone, 37,807 tons were shipped, but the industry is about more than volume this time of year.
“It is about certainty in quality, in the availability of sizes, in promotional supply, and in programs designed to support our partners throughout the year, especially during moments of high demand like the Big Game,” said Álvaro Luque, President and CEO of Avocados From Mexico.
In addition to this event, the demand for Mexican avocado continues to strengthen with key dates such as Cinco de Mayo and the summer season, which continue to drive consumption in the North American market.
October rains flooded Mexico’s orange groves, resulting a projected three percent decline in orange yields for the 2025/26 season and a 0.4 percent decrease in overall citrus projections, reports the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In late 2025, Tropical Storm Raymond and Hurricane Priscilla caused significant damage nationwide and struck Veracruz, Mexico’s leading orange-producing region, particularly hard.
Prolonged, erratic rainfalls destroyed several groves and delayed the October harvest until November and December 2025, leading to the loss of significant amounts of ripe fruit and inconsistent quality.
This year’s orange harvest is projected to fall short of last season’s, landing at just 5.18 million short tons.
This season’s numbers dip even further below last year’s, which had already dropped by more than 2.1 percent. The culprit, once again, is rain, the report states.
The orange planted area, on the other hand, will increase by 0.97 percent despite challenges posed by erratic weather, citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing), and other pests that are reducing yields in Veracruz and other orange-producing states.
While total production of fresh oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit in Mexico may decrease, average consumption is up by four percent. Likewise, exports are projected to rise by six percent, according to the USDA.
Lemons and limes are stealing the spotlight, driving the surge in both domestic consumption and international exports.
The total planted area for citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit, reached over 1.49 million acres, a 1.2 percent increase from last year.
Oranges account for 58 percent of all citrus plantings, lemons for 38 percent, and grapefruit for 3.6 percent.
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Florida is the primary winter growing region for many fresh fruit and vegetable crops. The current forecast calls for abnormally low temperatures beginning Monday evening, January 26 and lasting through Saturday, January 31, according to Markhon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Central/Western Florida (Tampa region) is forecast to receive freezing temperatures as low as 31 degrees with daily high temperatures in the 50- to 60-degree range.
Crops growing in this part of the state include:
- Strawberries
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
Southern Florida (Immokalee, Ft Pierce, Belle Glade, LaBelle) is expected to fall into the low 30s with highs around 60 degrees.
Crops growing in this part of the state include:
- Bell Peppers
- Celery
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Lettuces (Iceberg, Romaine, Green Leaf)
- Radishes
- Squash
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Citrus
These abnormally low temperatures will slow maturity and push prices higher.
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Favorable growing conditions and a shift to new varieties has Chile bubbling with optimism on a table grape crop which is increasing in volume with the recently started season.
An estimated 64 million boxes is forecast with an emphasis of limiting exports to the U.S. of between 3.5 and 4 million boxes weekly to avoid flooding the market. Now, the Chileans are just hoping the Peruvians can show as much restraint with their grape exports.
Chilean grape company Uvanova reports Ivory, Sweet Globe, Superior, and some Autumn Crisp are already being shipped. In red varieties, some Sweet Celebration, Ralli Seedless, and Allison are moving.
Some late varieties still remain on the vines to complete the mix, marking a gradual and orderly start to the season.
Over 80 percent of Chile’s table grapes are now of the seedless variety.
Meanwhile, Chile has reinforced efforts to diversify destinations. In addition to the United States, shipments have been directed to Latin America, Europe, and, to a lesser extent, Asia.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.