Posts Tagged “feature”
Titan Farms of Ridge Spring, SC, one of the leading peach producers in the United States, announces its strategic collaboration with the Borquez family, bringing early access to the market with the first peaches harvested in the northern hemisphere. This partnership will not only lengthen Titan Farms’ peach season but also offer consumers a wider range of high-quality peaches.
Nestled in the heart of Sonora, Mexico, the Borquez family has cultivated a legacy of multi-generational farming expertise. Led by Luis Borquez and his sons, the Borquez family is renowned for their commitment to growing and packing exceptional peaches, showcasing unparalleled flavor profiles and quality. This groundbreaking partnership not only underscores Titan Farms’ commitment to quality produce but also introduces exclusive peaches from the unique microclimate and soils of Caborca, Sonora, Mexico.
By offering peaches from Mexico, Titan Farms gains a competitive edge in the market by providing early access to fresh, flavorful peaches. The Borquez family, renowned for their expertise and dedication to quality, predominantly grows USA varieties.
“This collaboration with the Borquez family marks a significant milestone for Titan Farms as we strive to meet consumer demand for fresh, delicious peaches through an extended season,” said Chalmers Carr, President and CEO of Titan Farms. “With early access to the market and our commitment to quality, we are excited to continue delivering the finest peaches to our customers.”
The peaches grown on Oasis Farms by the Borquez family and will be available in various pack styles.
About Titan Farms
Founded in 1999 by Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr, Titan Farms is a premier grower, packer and shipper of fresh peaches and vegetables. Today, Titan Farms is the largest peach grower on the east coast, with over 6,200 acres of peaches, 600 acres of bell peppers, 1,000 acres of broccoli and 36 acres of eggplant. Titan Farms is a family-run operation.
About Oasis Farms
The Borquez family is a multi-generational farming family located in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico. Led by Luis Borquez and his sons, the family is dedicated to growing and packing high-quality yellow peaches, showcasing exceptional flavor and freshness.
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN – Dollar General has exceeded its latest milestone, now offering fresh produce options in more than 5,000 stores across the country.
The retailer now has more individual points of produce distribution than any other U.S. mass retailer or grocer. DG stores that carry produce provide consumers with a curated assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, onions, apples, strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons, limes, salad mixes, and more.
First announced in the Company’s Q4 2022 earnings last March, DG has continued to make strides toward reaching this milestone and now, more than 5,000 DG stores also carry the top 20 items typically sold in traditional grocery stores which cover approximately 80 percent of the produce categories most grocery stores traditionally provide.
“We are constantly looking for ways to better serve our customers and one of our top priorities is to ensure the communities we call home have access to fresh, affordable, and convenient food options,” said Emily Taylor, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Dollar General. “We have exceeded our goal of having 5,000 total stores with fresh produce by January 2024. We’re proud to leverage our footprint to meet the need for healthy food options in more communities than any other retailer across the U.S.”
The Company has also recently invested in a partnership with Shelf Engine, an AI company providing retailers with technology to improve perishable food forecasting and ordering.
The partnership will evolve Dollar General’s process to optimize in-stock produce levels, helping automate the ordering process while providing customers with the freshest food possible. As this tool continues to roll out, it will support the Company on its meaningful produce growth journey while improving operational efficiency.
Approximately 80 percent of Dollar General stores serve communities of 20,000 or fewer people, and residents in these communities often rely on the retailer for their everyday essentials including components of a nutritious meal. Every Dollar General provides customers with healthy food options such as milk, eggs, bread, cheese, frozen and canned vegetables, grains, lean proteins and more, including Dollar General’s exclusive Good & Smart® private brand.
As part of the Company’s commitment to provide convenient and affordable access to foods, in 2023 it announced its “Food First” initiative, which includes the customer feedback-driven expansion of its private label brand, Clover Valley, welcoming over 100 new items to shelves including a wide range of entrees, sides, sauces, condiments, snacks and more at affordable price points.
Additionally, Dollar General partners with local and national nonprofit organizations, including food banks, as part of its on-going efforts to help alleviate food insecurity. DG’s operational partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, provides in-kind food donations from stores and distribution centers across the country with a goal to contribute up to 20 million meals each year. To date, Dollar General has donated more than 23 million meals and over $3 million to Feeding America.
Explore local stories of how Dollar General has brought fresh produce to underserved communities here. To learn more about Dollar General’s produce and healthy food options, including recipes using ingredients sourced from DG stores, visit https://www.dollargeneral.com/c/food-beverage. Find a store with produce near you by filtering for fresh produce on the online store locator.
About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation (NYSE: DG) is proud to serve as America’s neighborhood general store. Founded in 1939, Dollar General lives its mission of Serving Others every day by providing access to affordable products and services for its customers, career opportunities for its employees, and literacy and education support for its hometown communities. As of November 3, 2023, the company’s 19,726 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico provide everyday essentials including food, health and wellness products, cleaning and laundry supplies, self-care and beauty items, and seasonal décor from our high-quality private brands alongside many of the world’s most trusted brands such as Coca Cola, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, General Mills, Hershey, J.M. Smucker, Kraft, Mars, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. Learn more at DollarGeneral.com
South Texas 1015 onion shipments have started from the Rio Grande Valley and early reports indicate a quality crop with normal volume.
The harvest of TX1015 onions has already begun in Texas’ southern counties. While a brisk January has affected early yields, availability is anticipated to rise substantially as temperatures increase in the Rio Grande Valley. Thanks to mild winter conditions, exceptional quality is anticipated.
Excellent quality, size, and availability are expected to continue throughout the summer as the harvest begins in the Wintergarden region in another 6-8 weeks. Overall, the season will bring an abundance of delicious TX1015 sweet onions, which will be available in stores across the country.
Consumer-facing promotions in this year’s campaign will extend to a broader audience than ever before. Shoppers should keep their eyes open for engaging promotions including the “Sizzlin’ Flavor” sweepstakes (which features over $1000 in prizes), monthly social media giveaways, a food influencer recipe contest, and the release of a cookbook highlighting the versatility of Texas’ favorite sweet onion, says Dante Galeazzi, manager of the South Texas Onion Committee and President of Texas International Produce Associationc of Mission, TX.
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission in a new report and press release shows the economic benefits the Michigan potato industry has on the state’s economy.
The commission notes the state’s potato industry contributes more than $2.5 billion to the state’s gross domestic product and supports 21,700 jobs in the state, generating around $832 million in wages.
“In 2022 alone, this contribution, which stems from both direct and indirect economic activity, includes nearly $1.5 billion in direct economic activity resulting from growing, processing wholesaling and retailing potatoes and potato products,” Ryan Norton, chair of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission and farm manager at Walther Farms in Three Rivers MI, said. “It also factors an additional $1 billion in indirect activity from the food service industry and through the household consumption of Michigan-grown potatoes.”
The commission said the study found potatoes are the second-largest specialty crop grown in the state, adding that Michigan produces about 1.9 billion pounds of potatoes for seed, fresh, frozen, dehydrated and processing industries. More than 70% of potatoes grown in Michigan go to the chip industry.
Apples are the leading specialty crop grown in the state.
The study says 1 in 4 bags of potato chips in the U.S. contains Michigan-grown potatoes.
“The sales of these potatoes generated more than $246 million [in 2022] alone. This puts Michigan as the eighth-largest state in the nation in terms of potato production and sixth in terms of sales,” said Phil Gusmano, vice president of purchasing of Detroit-based Better Made Snack Foods and commissioner on the Michigan Potato Industry Commission.
The start of Vidalia onion season is almost here, with the official pack date announced by the Georgia Agriculture Commissioner and Vidalia Onion Committee. Vidalia onion fans across the country can mark their calendars for April 17, when the sweet onions are set to ship to grocery stores nationwide.
“In coordination with the Vidalia Onion Committee, I am incredibly excited to announce April 17,2024, as the official pack date of the 2024 Vidalia onion season,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “Georgia Grown, Vidalia Onions are recognized around the globe for their iconic, sweet flavor that is treasured by culinary leaders and home chefs alike. This is an exciting time for Georgia farmers and consumers alike as we look forward to enjoying the sweet onion again!”
Vidalia onions are available for a limited time each year between April through early September. The pack date is determined by soil and weather conditions during the growing season, contributing to high-quality Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel voted to recommend April 17th as the 2024 pack date to Commissioner Harper.
Known for their sweet, crisp flavor and versatility, Vidalia onions are a seasonal treat for various dishes – from savory to sweet! Because of the unique weather, water, and soil combination in 20 South Georgia counties, Vidalia onions cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. While all Vidalias are sweet onions, not all sweet onions are Vidalias!
“For the 2024 season, we have 11,000 acres of Vidalia onions planted in the production area,” said VOC Chairman Cliff Riner. “Over the past few years, sweet onion sales have continued to increase, with Vidalia onions being a big part of the market. We’re looking forward to another great season this year.”
For over 80 years, Vidalia onions have been hand-planted, harvested, and cured by growers. The Vidalia Onion Act of 1986 established their growing region in South Georgia and trademarked the “Vidalia onion” name. Vidalia onions are grown from a distinctive Granex seed, then packed and sold on or after the official pack date annually.
About the Vidalia® Onion Committee
Because Vidalia® onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989, to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Committee administers FMO No. 955 and authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs. This federal program along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So, you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia,” unless it is from Georgia! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.
Peruvian lime exports have really taken off so far this year, with a total of 5,432 tons sent to the international market, according to Agraria.
Agraria reports the citrus fruit has shown a positive start to 2024, with an increase of 63 percent in the first three weeks, compared to the same period last year. The increase results from greater demand from international markets.
Exporters not most of the lime exports have been shipped from the Port of Paita (84 percent) and, to a lesser extent, from the Port of Callao (16 percent).
During 2023, lime exports covered a total of 39 destinations, marking an increase of four new markets compared to 2022. So far in 2024, 17 countries have been reached, the most notable being the U.S. (45 percent), Spain (15 percent), China (14 percent), Dominican Republic (9 percent) and Germany (6 percent).
Among the exporters, Multifoods S.A.C. stood out, with a 16 percent share; followed by Agromar Industrial S.A., with 13 percent; Limones Piuranos S.A.C., with 11 percent; Ecosac Agrícola S.A.C., with 9 percent; and Procesadora Laran S.A.C., with 8 percent.
At Freshway Produce, General Manager Ricardo Roggiero has been observing the growth of exotic fruit consumption in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Among the products most poised for growth, he says, is pitaya, known by many U.S. consumers as dragon fruit.
The fruit comes with an eye-catching red or yellow exterior.
“The most popular is the red variety. It is a little more tasteless, but because of its characteristics, it is widely consumed,” Roggiero said. “There are larger displays [of them], which increases consumption.”
He said the price of pitaya has become more accessible for North American consumers, allowing more people to include the fruit in their diets.
“Projections show that in the United States, exotic fruit consumption could grow about 5 to 10% per year,” he said.
Pitaya stands out among the growth projections. He forecast 50% growth in pitaya exports to the U.S. in coming years, followed by more moderate growth.
“In 2023, something very interesting happened with pitaya, with a TikTok campaign by certain influencers who promoted yellow pitaya. It had a very strong impact on consumption,” he said. “I believe that the U.S. market can consume all the hectares we have cultivated in Ecuador, but it will take some time as the consumer gets familiarized with the product.”
Something unique about Ecuadorian pitaya is that it is not irradiated in the United States.
“That is a big difference from products that come from Vietnam, Asia, and Mexico,” he said. “The yellow pitaya has the seal of origin that it is an endemic fruit of Ecuador, in particular the Palora variety, which is larger and has excellent brix degrees between 22 to 24 degrees.”
From Florida to Georgia and the Carolinas growers and shippers of berries are optimistic for an excellent shipping season.
Naturipe Farms of Salinas, CA grows blueberries in Georgia, North Carolina and Florida and blackberries in Georgia and North Carolina.
The company has blueberries from February through June in Florida, April through July in Georgia and May through July in North Carolina. Naturipe also grows blackberries from May through July in Georgia and June through August in North Carolina.
Excellent quality is expected.
Gem-Pack Berries of Irvine, CA grows strawberries in the Plant City and Dover areas of Florida and in Fort Meade from mid-November to mid-April.
Despite a few weather issues, the company is seeing a very good crop.
Crystal Valley Foods of Miami sources blackberries and blueberries from Florida and Georgia from March through June. The company is just starting its Florida berry season and Georgia will start at the end of March or the beginning of April.
The company ships most of its berries to foodservice customers and some retail outlets.
Always Fresh Farms of Plant City, FL saw its strawberries peaking in February and had an early start on Florida blueberries a couple of weeks ago.
The company was seeing a nice crop set up in Georgia on blueberries and blackberries, but that was still a number of weeks away.
Colombian lime exporters see a window of opportunity during January to April when supplies from Mexico to the United States decline.
Exp. Group LLC reports Mexico typically dominates the U.S. lime market. When Mexican volume kicks in other countries producing limes tend to disappear since Mexico’s production volumes are so high no one can compete.
Mexico represents 95% of all limes arriving in the U.S., while most of the balance of 5% is mainly covered by Colombia and to a smaller extent, Peru.
In 2023, Mexico supplied 94.5% of U.S. lime imports.
The demographic shift in the U.S. has helped increase the consumption of Latin American products in the country. Latinos are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the United States. The U.S. Latino population grew 26% between 2010 and 2022, nearing 64 million people.
Colombia’s total volume to the U.S. this season will reach around 2 million boxes of limes. Mexico could hit 35 million boxes by the end of its season.
In 2023, Mexico exported just under 1.1 million pounds of limes to the U.S., while Colombian exports reached 86,815 pounds.
The Chilean grape industry has shipped 20 million boxes globally through Week 8 (March 4), and the Chilean Grape Committee estimates they will end the season very close to 62 million boxes. The U.S. will receive roughly 57% of the total volume…around 35 million boxes.
Chile has exported 15 million boxes to the U.S. through Week 8. Another 20 million will be shipped between Weeks 9 and 17, with the East Coast receiving approximately 15 million, and the West Coast five. Weeks 11 and 12 have been highlighted as the peak weeks for shipments.
Comments Ignacio Caballero, director of marketing of Frutas de Chile and coordinator of the Grape Committee, “More than half of the volume projected for the U.S. market has yet to be shipped, and weekly volumes will increase starting in Week 10. It’s looking like mid-March through April will be a great time for retailers to promote Chilean grapes.”
The Chilean grape industry has seen significant growth this season in exports of Sweet Globe, Allison, Timco, and Autumn Crisp. The variety experiencing the greatest drop in volume has been Thompson Seedless, with volume plummeting by fifty-two percent in response to market feedback. In terms of other export markets, Chile has shipped 11% to the Far East, eight percent to Latin America, and five percent to Europe.
Early season imported grapes from Chile have been reduced because of lack of volume from the Copiapo growing region. Most of those grapes that are normally harvested in November were delayed into December and January.
International Fruit Company of Hammonton, NJ reports during a recent three week period only 8 million boxes of grapes were harvested when it should have been 11 million under normal weather conditions. A year ago nearly 14 million boxes were loaded during that same period.
Frutas de Chile projected this season around 63 million boxes for export, but International Fruit believes the actual volume will be between 55 and 60 million boxes.
According to estimates, there should be about 10 million boxes left in the late season region, and that fruit is simply not there, the company notes.
So the peak of the Chilean season in the U.S. market is expected in mid-March through the end of the month. If the seasons progresses a little better than expected it may last until mid April.
Apparently the Panama Canal is now functioning better during the Chilean season because more water available. This should result in fewer problems for boats transiting the Panama Canal with Chilean grapes.