All-yellow flesh potatoes continue to rise above russets, reds and whites in the critical metric of retailer volume sales, an encouraging sign for grocers as growers ready for their upcoming fall harvests.
In the last 52 weeks ending June 13, 2021, retailer volume sales of all-yellow flesh potatoes are up 9.56%, far outpacing reds (up 0.82%), russets (down 3.91%) and whites (down 8.42%) according to the research firm IRI.
Over a broader timespan, 2021 retailer profits from all-yellow flesh varieties to date represent 11.3% of the potato category, up from 8.8% in 2017.
“There continues to be huge growth potential with the all-yellow flesh varieties, particularly among younger, more health-conscious millennial shoppers looking for a flavorful potato side dish,” says Andreas Trettin, director marketing for MountainKing.
Trettin adds MountainKing has witnessed similar growth trends with its popular all-yellow flesh varieties packaged as Butter Russets, presenting the look of a traditional russet; Butter Golds with their yellow and smooth skin; and its oval-shaped Butter Reds.
All three varietals, he explains, offer a creamy, smooth texture and a rich, natural buttery flavor requiring fewer ingredients and toppings.
“The feedback from consumers, across the board, is that the all-yellow flesh varieties offer a better taste when compared to regular russets and reds,” Trettin says. “What we’re seeing is really an evolution in cooking styles with the routine and conventional giving way to creativity and adventure.”
MountainKing Potatoes is one of the world’s largest growers of high-flavor potato varieties.
The first forecast since the apple harvest was completed last month has The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) concluding there will be fewer fresh apple shipments than under the previous estimate.
The August forecast estimated the Washington state apple harvest to be 124.85 million standard forty pound boxes of fresh apples. After receiving updated data from WSTFA members who have picked a majority of the crop, that estimate has decreased by 5.3%. The decrease places the volume to be at 118.255 million boxes.
WSTFA members are reporting smaller crops of some varieties including Honeycrisp, Galas, and Red Delicious. High heat earlier in the season was cited.
The organic apple crop is still projected to be over 15 million boxes. In spite of the smaller harvest, high-quality fruit is seen throughout 2022.
This report is based on a survey of WSTFA members, and represents fruit picked through Octobter 31 and a best estimate of what is still to be harvested. It represents the harvested total volume of apples that will eventually be packed and sold on the fresh market (excluding product sent to processors).
If you’ve dipped your toes into plant-based eating, you’re probably familiar with meat substitutes such as lentils, beans, tofu, tempeh, and seitan. They each tend to shine in different recipes — beans and lentils lend themselves well to veggie burgers, for instance, and tofu shines in stir-fries. But when you’re trying to replicate the texture of pulled pork or another shredded meat, jackfruit reigns supreme.
What Is Jackfruit?
Jackfruit is a tropical tree fruit usually grown in Asia, Africa, or South America, per the Cleveland Clinic.
As an ingredient, jackfruit can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, but people typically use it as a meat substitute. Jackfruit tends to take on the flavors of the spices and sauces you cook it with. “Its texture, similar to that of shredded meat, makes it a good meat substitute for the vegetarian and vegan population,” says Kristin Gillespie, RDN, a Virginia Beach–based nutrition support dietitian for Option Care Health and an advisor for Exercise With Style.
Just keep in mind that jackfruit doesn’t have as much protein as meat. “Three and a half ounces of jackfruit supplies 1.7 grams (g) of protein, whereas animal protein like fish or poultry gives about 21 g for a similar portion size,” Taub-Dix says. “Unlike animal protein, however, jackfruit has no cholesterol or saturated fat.”
Jackfruit is also mainly carbohydrate-based, so keep that in mind if you’re trying to lose weight. “Since jackfruit contains nearly 40 g of carbs per cup, you’ll want to watch your portion size and the foods you pair with the fruit,” says Kelsey Lorencz, RDN, with Graciously Nourished in Saginaw, Michigan.
You might be intimidated by the look of this giant, prickly fruit, but it’s a worthy addition to your plant-based diet.
NEW ROCHELLE, NY – LGS Specialty Sales, a leading importer of citrus, avocados, grapes and persimmons, anticipates a strong grape season from December 2021 through May of 2022.
For six months, LGS will be importing red, green and black seedless grapes from Chile and Peru. This will include specialty varieties like Cotton Candy and Candy Hearts. The grapes will be available in both clamshells and clear bags.
“We have a lot to look forward to with our upcoming grape season,” said Luke Sears, president and founder of LGS Specialty sales. “We’re partnering with one of the biggest Sweet Celebration and Cotton Candy growers in Chile, as well as importing new proprietary varieties out of Peru that include both conventional and specialty grapes.”
The company noted that its growing region in Peru continues to expand with new varieties, reporting a 10 percent increase from the previous year. LGS’ volume is on schedule to meet both retailer and consumer needs this upcoming import season.
An above average crop should translate into more Maine potato shipments this season.
The Maine Farmers Exchange of Presque Isle reports the past three seasons were plaqued by drought, unlike 2021 which has had adequate rain and good weather.
Shipment should continue into May 2022. Maine potato acreage for the fresh market is estimated between 12,000 and 15,000 acres out of the state’s total of 50,000 acres.
Cambridge Farms of Presque Isle reported a good growing season with great quality potatoes in storages.
Green Thumb Farms Inc. of Fryeburg, ME points out potatoes were in storage by mid-October with great quality.
The Maine Potato Exchange notes with the cost of transportation increasing each year the state has an advantage of being eight to 16 hours from one third of the nation’s population.
Children who eat more fruits and vegetables have better mental wellbeing, according to new research from the United Kingdom’s University of East Anglia Health and Social Care Partners.
The study shows that eating more fruit and vegetables is linked with better wellbeing among secondary school (middle to high school age) pupils in particular. What’s more, the research showed U.K. children who consumed five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day had the highest scores for mental wellbeing.
The study was led by UEA Health and Social Care Partners in collaboration with Norfolk County Council, according to a news release.
Public health strategies and school policies should be developed to ensure that good quality nutrition is available to all children before and during school to “optimize mental wellbeing and empower children to fulfil their full potential,” researchers said. “While the links between nutrition and physical health are well understood, until now, not much has been known about whether nutrition plays a part in children’s emotional wellbeing,” lead researcher Professor Ailsa Welch, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said in the release.
“So, we set out to investigate the association between dietary choices and mental wellbeing among schoolchildren.” The research team studied 2017 data from almost 9,000 children in 50 schools across Norfolk (7,570 secondary and 1,253 primary school children) taken from the Norfolk children and Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Survey, according to the release. Children in the study self-reported their dietary choices and took part in age-appropriate tests of mental wellbeing that covered cheerfulness, relaxation, and having good interpersonal relationships, the release said.
The study found only around a quarter of secondary-school children and 28% of primary-school children reported eating the recommended five-a-day fruits and vegetables. What’s more, the study found that just under one in 10 children were not eating any fruits or vegetables.
The research team also looked at the association between nutritional factors and mental wellbeing and considered other factors that might have an impact – such as adverse childhood experiences and home situations.
“We found that eating well was associated with better mental wellbeing in children,” Richard Hayhoe, also from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said in the release. “And that among secondary school children in particular, there was a really strong link between eating a nutritious diet, packed with fruit and vegetables, and having better mental wellbeing.”
Peruvian mango exports are predicted to be at 220,000-240,000 tons of fresh mangoes in the 2021/2022 season. This would be very similar to the previous two season, which were 237,000 tons in 2019/2020 and 217,000 tons in 2020/2021.
The Peruvian Association of Mango Exporters (APEM) note, 60 percent of the total volume would is destined for go the U.S., 30 percent to Europe, and 10 percent to Asia and other Latin American countries.
Peru’s mango season typically runs from December through March.
Peru has nearly 86,500 acres of mango for export (80 percent located in Piura, 10 percent in Lambayeque, and the remaining 10 percent in Ancash) that are grown by 14,000 producers.
This season Peru will have 17 certified hydrothermal treatment plants to ship fresh mango to the U.S., when 5 years ago there were only 11 plants.
Imported Peruvian asparagus should be up slightly over last season.
Peruvian growers exported 206.48 million pounds of asparagus to the U.S. during 2020, according to the USDA. The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association predicts shipments should be slightly higher for 2021. The group sees steady imports through the end of the year and into January.
Square One Farms LLC of Sunrise FL, notes Peru supplies asparagus to the U.S. market about 10 months of the year, with the fourth quarter binging heaviest volume.
Square One Farms expects Peruvian asparagus volume to be up over 15% this year compared to 2020.
Southern Specialties Inc. of Pompano Beach, FL had increased imports by early November and expects slightly more volume this year. The company imports asparagus from Peru year-round.
Seven Seas of Vero Beach, FL, imports Peruvian asparagus from mid-April through mid-January, and is a big item for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Mother’s Day and Easter.
Prices for truckload services spiked to their highest levels yet in October, reflecting shippers’ willingness to pay a premium to move goods through their supply chains.
The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI) was 239 in October, up 2% from September. An industry-standard indicator of freight activity, the TVI is a measure of dry van, refrigerated (“reefer”) and flatbed loads moved by truckload carriers last month.
“Congested ports, intermodal yards and warehouses acted as a drag on the number of loads moved last month,” said Ken Adamo, Chief of Analytics at DAT Freight & Analytics. “As a result, retailers and online sellers took on higher truckload prices in order to make sure their freight is positioned for success for the November and December shopping period.”
Spot van, reefer rates surged • The national average rate for van loads on the spot market rose 3 cents to $2.87 per mile (including fuel surcharge) in October. The monthly average rate has increased for five consecutive months and is up 47 cents year over year. • Reefer and flatbed spot rates averaged more than $3 a mile for the sixth straight month. The reefer rate was $3.29 per mile, up 4 cents compared to September and a new high. The flatbed rate decreased 1 cent to $3.08 a mile in October amid a seasonal drop in freight related to construction and heavy machinery. Spot load postings fell 3.3% • The number of loads posted to the DAT load board network fell 3.3% in October while truck posts rose 4.2%. The national average van load-to-truck ratio was 5.6, down from 6.3 in September, meaning there were 5.6 available loads for every available van on the network. The van ratio was 4.3 in October 2020 as the economy recovered from COVID-related lockdowns, and 1.7 in October 2019. • The reefer load-to-truck ratio declined from 13.5 to 12.0 as harvest activity winds down. The flatbed ratio was 48.6, nearly unchanged from September. Fuel surcharges spiked • Contract rates increased for all three equipment types. The national average contract van rate was $2.90 per mile, up 7 cents month over month, while the reefer rate increased 9 cents to $3.07 a mile. The average contract rate for flatbed freight edged up 2 cents higher to $3.33 a mile. • At 39 cents a mile for van freight, the national average surcharge for diesel fuel hit a new record and was up 20 cents year over year. The national average price of on-highway diesel was $3.61 a gallon in October, the highest monthly average since November 2014. After labor, fuel is the largest operating cost for truck fleets.
Fresno, CA – With good volume of California grapes available through December, shipments are predicted to continue through year-end in the U.S., and in Canada, Mexico, and other key export markets, according to Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission.
According to Nave the 2021 crop volume has been tracking close to that of 2020 for most of the season. The 2020 crop volume was 101.1 million 19-pound boxes with 20 million boxes shipped after November 15.
Noting that harvest is still underway in some areas, Nave said that in a typical season California ships grapes throughout the U.S. and to multiple export markets into January and this year looks to be no different.
“The U.S. is a good market for California grapes,” Nave said, “and even better this season in terms of demand and price than it has been in recent years.” Noting that the U.S. retail commitment to stick with California through December – as opposed to focusing on imported grapes – remains strong, Nave added that Canada, Mexico, and Central America have all been particularly good markets this season with exports to Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan steady, in spite of the worldwide shipping issues.
