Author Archive
A visit by “Jack Frost” last spring suckered punch Michigan apple growers and the result will be fewer loading opportunities in the new season set to start soon.
Michigan apple shipments for the upcoming season have taken a significant hit due to a frost last May. It is expected to result in nearly 30 percent fewer truck loads from the from 2016 17-shipping season.
While the official USDA forecast will come out August 10th, the industry’s Premier 2017 Apple Production Estimate pegs the Michigan crop at 20 million (42-pound) cartons, off 29 percent from a year ago and 8 percent less than the five-year average.
Among the biggest losers from the spring cold were jonagolds and McIntosh, which suffered significant frost damage on May 8. Having much better luck were galas, Honeycrisp and fuji apples.
Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc. of Sparta, MI is among the state’s largest apple shippers. The company expects about three-quarters of a full crop.
Initially, the USDA estimates 27.98 million cartons of fresh and processed fruit for Michigan apples.
Total fresh Michigan apple shipments through early July were nearly 9 million cartons, with most of the fresh apples from the old shipped by mid-July.
First harvest of paulareds and gingergold apples is expected around the third week of August.
U.S. Apple Shipments
The USDA in its June forecast — the final one for the 2016-17 — the agency raised its 2016 estimate for Washington apple shipments by 8 percent compared with the August 2016 estimate. The USDA also raised its estimate for 2016 U.S. apple production from 248 million (42-pound) cartons in August 2016 to its final estimate of 268 million cartons.
The Premier estimate shows the 2017 U.S. apple crop at 255.57 million cartons, which is down 5 percent from the final USDA estimate for the 2016 crop of 268.4 million cartons.
The 2017 Premier production estimate for Washington state calls for production of 165 million cartons in 2017, down 5.3 percent from 174.3 million cartons produced in 2016 but 9 percent higher than the five-year average. About 80 percent of Washington apples are shipped fresh.
While New Jersey “blues” are entering the final leg of the blueberry shipping season, carrot loading opportunities out of Washington state will increase significantly this year.
Entering the second week of July, 2017 New Jersey blueberry shipments were about 65 percent completed. Grower-shippers here were already describing it as one of the better seasons in years. Jersey “blues” should wrap up during the first week of August.
This season is marked by more fresh market and fewer “blues” for processing than usual. Normally, about 80 percent of Jersey blueberries go to the fresh market, with the balance going to processors. Looking towards the end of the current season, some observers believe nearly 90 percent will end up in the fresh market .
Washington Carrot Shipments
By Grimmway Farms
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Grimmway Farms, a global produce leader and the world’s largest producer of carrots, July 18th announced it has activated its Pasco, WA., baby carrot processing facility to provide customers with freight savings and additional shipping options during the July – November harvesting season.
“We’re pleased to offer more shipping options to our customers in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Providing access to our baby carrots through this additional resource allows these customers to better serve their markets,” said Jeff Huckaby, president of Grimmway Farms. “Our Pasco facility is a great option for customers and distribution centers that manage high volumes of both conventional and organic varieties of our baby carrots. We look forward to leveraging this facility to provide our customers with an outstanding experience throughout this busy harvest season.”
Grimmway’s Pasco facility was modeled after the company’s Malaga facility – its premier baby carrot processing facility located in Arvin, CA – which was designed for optimal efficiency and minimal waste.
Following two seasons of small runs, 2017 marks the first time that Grimmway’s Pasco facility is being operated at larger capacity to enhance customer shipping logistics of orange cut and peeled baby carrots – the company’s most popular item. Customers who obtain other types of produce from growers in the Pacific Northwest can combine Grimmway’s baby carrots with other commodities via the Pasco facility to reduce their transportation and logistical costs.
To contact the Grimmway Farms’ Pasco facility, call (661) 391-5290.
By Oppy
LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass. – The stage is set to expand the 87-year-old Ocean Spray® brand — with many sweet things to come.
In a natural extension of the relationship formed in 2003 to market Ocean Spray fresh cranberries, Oppy and its partner berry growers are now shipping fresh strawberries and blueberries from California under an Ocean Spray® brand.
Ultimately, a range of berries, including blackberries and raspberries, will join strawberries and blueberries as part of the Family Farmer Owned™ brand of fresh produce. The program expands and elevates Oppy’s berry offerings, delivering fruit of high quality and great flavor in a familiar and trusted label. This expansion also establishes a year-round fresh berry presence for the Ocean Spray® brand.
“Ocean Spray was founded by three cranberry growers looking to expand the market for their fruit,” said Clark Reinhard, vice president of innovation for Ocean Spray. “The brand is well known across multiple grocery aisles but our presence in produce has been limited to just a few months of the year. The perimeter of the grocery store is growing fast and by collaborating with Oppy our brand will be on fresh, high quality produce from family farms year round.”
The Ocean Spray® brand bolsters Oppy’s strategic push in the berry category, according to James Milne, vice president of marketing. “We conducted extensive research throughout North America over the past year and discovered a genuine enthusiasm for berries. There is a clear opportunity for a strong brand like Ocean Spray® to enter the market and capture people’s imaginations. This new innovation will disrupt an established category and offer a surprising new berry experience to the trade and consumers alike.”
Following California strawberries and blueberries, the Ocean Spray® Family Farmer Owned™ brand will feature fruit produced by Oppy domestic berry growers in the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and its international network of family farmers.
“Consumers should ultimately understand that when they see the Ocean Spray logo anywhere in the world they are supporting family farms- the same way they do buying at their local farmer’s market,” said Reinhard. “While cranberries remain at the heart of what we do, bringing other berries to market under the same brand will be a huge benefit to growers, retailers and ultimately the consumer.”
“Partnering with Ocean Spray enables us to simultaneously deliver new value to our grower partners and our retail customers,” said David Smith, Oppy president and chief marketing officer. “Berry growers everywhere understand the stature of the Ocean Spray® brand and are engaging with the opportunity. Meanwhile we’re providing our retail partners the exciting option of high quality strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries packed in a label of high consumer awareness and appeal.”
Smith notes that the timing is advantageous for all, with berry category sales at retail elevating 15 percent in the last two years, while also realizing average-price-per-pound gains. IRI data shows that berry sales volume has increased throughout the U.S., while branded produce is earning greater dollar share throughout the category.
by Koppert Cress
It’s a cucumber! It’s a watermelon! It’s…it’s…Pepquiños! These unusual grape-sized veggies are back in town and better than ever!
The Pepquiño is a micro cucumber that looks like a tiny watermelon. It has a refreshingly tart cucumber / melon flavor and can be eaten whole with the skin, or sliced. They make an eye-catching cocktail garnish, an excellent pickle, or a wonderful accompaniment to a fresh fish crudo.
Your imagination is the limit!
Origin: South America
Flavor: Fresh cucumber with slightly sour flavor.
Use: Appetizers, snacks, salads or stir-fry. Can be eaten whole.
Availability: From Summer to Fall
Storage: Store for up to ten days at 36 to 40°F.
Packaging: Tamper-evident clamshell 8 oz. (approx. 9 pieces for 1 oz.)
The micro-cucumber that looks like a tiny watermelon!
“…the world’s smallest watermelon” – NY Daily News
“Small but perfectly formed Pepquiño “micro melons”, 20 times smaller than their full size counterparts” – Telegraph
“ … the world’s only bite-sized melon” – Slashfood
All natural, the Pepquiño is a very ancient species which makes it difficult to determine its precise origin. Our research shows that this ‘micro-cucumber’ was first found in South America and is actually closely related to the melon. Pepquiño can be eaten whole (with the skin), fried or pickled.
Preparation
Cress and specialties are often used for decoration purposes, however, there are so many more options. All products in the Collection are selected for their tasteful characteristics as well. These are brought to the surface when eaten ‘as-is’, but there are a number of techniques by which they can be used in different ways. We present to you a number of examples on how to even better make use of the special characteristics of the cress and specialties.
Pepquino is found in retail stores in the Northeastern U.S., with lesser amounts found in Florida and other Eastern states, as well as several retailer in the mid-west and Seattle.
New York vegetable shipments are now moving to markets, while potato loads from the new crops for Washington and Oregon will be underway soon.
It was a drought in New York last year, but too much rain this year affecting vegetable shipments. For example, Turek Farms of King Ferry, NY has left a few hundred of its nearly 4,000 acres unplanted this year due to excessive rains. The company’s s corn harvest is just getting underway to be followed by cabbage, broccoli and Brussels spouts.
Torrey Farms Inc. of Elba, NY grows about 14,000 acres and faces similar issues. Torrey also grows cucumbers, green beans, yellow squash, cabbage, onions, potatoes and winter squash.
Meanwhile, Eden Valley Growers of Eden, NY, just got started with sweet corn, cabbage, squash, cucumbers and beans.
New York shipped sweet corn in 2016 off of 26,600 acres, amounting to 2.5 million cwt. Corn for the fresh market made up $44.6 million of a total crop value of $53 million. Green bean shipments last year came off of 28,300 acres, for a total of nearly 2 million cwt.
New York’s vegetable shipments extend into late November and even early December for some crops.
Washington Potato Shipments
In 2016 Washington growers planted 170,000 acres of potatoes, with acreage and volumes expected to be similar this season. The state typically ships about 10 billion pounds of potatoes each growing season.
Potandon Produce LLC of Idaho Falls, ID, will begin shipping russet and colored potatoes out of Osceola, WA later this month, while Norm Nelson Inc., of Burlington, WA expects to start loading spuds in September.
Washington’s Columbia Basin potato shipments – grossing about $3400 to Chicago.
Oregon Potato Shipments
Oregon potato shipments for the fresh market represents nearly 13 percent of total production in the U.S. Similar volume of about 2.5 billion pounds is seen for the upcoming season.
Strebin Farms LLC of Troutdale, OR will pack the old storage crop through the end of July, before starting with the new crop in early August. In similar fashion, Amstad Produce LLC, of Sherwood, OR also expects its new potato crop to be ready after the first week of August. The company will be shipping red and yellow potatoes August through the end of the year out of the Willamette Valley.
by Potatoes USA
The domestic marketing committee meeting of Potatoes USA began with a review of sales and marketing research. The volume and value of frozen potato product sales at retail for the past five years were up 2%; the volume of dehy is down 11% and value down 8%; and fresh refrigerated sales up 13% in volume and 19% in value.
For fresh spuds, the volume was down 6% but the value up 6% with russets contributing significantly to the decline, off 13% in volume and down 6% in value. This was countered by an increase in 7% in the volume and 14% in value of red sales; yellows were up 50% in both volume and value; and the volume of purple/blue sales were up 58% with the value up 46% for the five-year period.
Consumer attitudes and in-home usage of tubers continued to improve based on research conducted for Potatoes USA. Potatoes’ (including chips) share of home meal occasions was 26% for breakfast, 41% for lunch, 43% for dinner and 40% for snacks. The share of dinners that included potatoes increased 2 points and puts spuds ahead of all other foods with pasta just below at 40%, rice at 36% and poultry at 31%. The closest vegetable was bagged salad at 20% of dinner occasions. Spuds are also three of the top four dishes served at foodservice led by fries at #1, salads #2, mashed #3 and baked #4. Products that included the product accounted for 9% of all new food items launched at retail.
The marketing department staff provided detailed updates on the programs starting with the Consumer program which is inspiring Food Enthusiasts to prepare and eat more potatoes through print, digital, social media and retail print advertising. Influencers from bloggers to food writers to celebrity chefs are also being engaged to provide inspiring new ways to prepare potatoes. The Spud Nation food trucks operating in Denver and Washington DC are being promoted through social media via Twitter, Instagram, Yelp and Facebook. On the nutrition front, Potatoes USA is establishing that the one lifestyle benefit of potatoes is that they are vital to people performing at their very best. This spans from elite athletes to hardworking adults to busy parents. This message is being delivered by RDs for professional sports teams, writers for fitness and lifestyle magazines and bloggers at FitFluential and elsewhere.
The Retail program is focused on increasing sales of all products at retail through shipper outreach, retailer outreach and consumer ads at retail. New tools and insights for both shippers and retailers will be launched soon. The Ingredient program is making the potato the ingredient MVP and providing food developers and chefs with piping hot inspiration. The Foodservice program is inspiring culinary professionals to offer more potato dishes on their menus. This is done through advertising and media, experiential marketing and events, culinary innovation and public relations. The School Foodservice program is hitting its stride as it creates future potato enthusiast through delicious and healthy potato dishes on school cafeteria menus. Potatoes are very underrepresented at breakfast in schools and thus Potatoes USA, in conjunction with the School Nutrition Association, has launched a campaign including a recipe contest designed to change this. The Potatoes USA Salad Bar Challenge has already placed 264 salad bars in schools across the country. These bars are making a difference not only in kid’s lives but in the inclusion of potatoes in school foodservice.
by Mann Packing Co., Inc.
SALINAS, Calif. – Mann Packing announced a partnership with the California Walnut Board for two of its innovative Vegetable Slaw Blends: Power Blend and Kale Beet Blend.
The promotion includes $1.50 off per pack of slaw when any 7.5oz or larger package of California walnuts is purchased. The promotion will run for two weeks from the end of July through mid-August.
“Recognizing California walnuts’ versatility and variety of health benefits, a partnership featuring our slaw blends is a wonderful opportunity to boost summer sales,” said Gina Nucci, director of corporate marketing at Mann’s. “Mann’s is committed to collaborating and creating a synergy with organizations like the California Walnut Board, and we look forward to working with them to complement each other’s strengths,” she added.
California Walnuts was established in 1948 and represents over 4,800 walnut growers and more than 90 walnut handlers in California. One of the Board’s key efforts is promoting the usage of walnuts across the U.S. through advertising, publicity and educational programs.
“Walnuts are a perfect ingredient for summer salads and we are delighted to partner with Mann Packing on this Summer Slaw promotion,” said Michelle Connelly, executive director of the California Walnut Board. “Additionally, the combination of these superfoods packs a delicious punch of nutrition.”
Additional promotions will be available at Safeway, Albertsons, Meijer, Wakefern, Raleys, Schnucks, and Giant Eagle, among others.
About Mann Packing
In the late 1930’s, when the United States was beginning to recover from the Great Depression, a young Stanford graduate came to California’s Salinas Valley seeking employment. H.W. “Cy” Mann began his career trimming fruit and lettuce for 40¢ an hour. In 1939, he opened a fresh carrot packing operation and a business was born. From day one, Mr. Mann built a reputation for honesty and integrity—one that remains with us today.
In 1976 Bill Ramsey and Don Nucci joined Mr. Mann as partners in the company. Today, the Nucci and Ramsey families lead the firm which now spans three generations. They are a majority women-owned and operated business, and one of the country’s leading suppliers of fresh vegetables, including its proprietary Broccolini® product and award-winning Stringless Sugar Snap Peas.
Stone fruit shipments, as well as melons are underway from California’s San Joaquin Valley. Plus, we take a look at South African citrus imports.
California stone fruit loadings are in steady volume from the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley. Volume for a combination of peaches, plums and nectarines is averaging around 650 truc loads weekly.
Demand for California peaches has been boosted by a short crop on the East Coast. Georgia lost 70 percent of it peaches this season due to adverse spring weather. As of June 25, 81 percent of Georgia’s peach crop had been harvested, compared to 56 percent a year earlier and a five-year average of 55 percent.
Melon Shipments
Western cantaloupe and honeydew shipments in recent weeks have been slashed by as much as 60 percent due to triple digit temperatures. It has basically ended shipments from California’s Imperial Valley and parts of Arizona.
In the San Joaquin Valley, melon loadings are finally starting to return to normal following the excessive heat. One of those adversely affected was Couture Farms of Huron, CA, which grows and ships honeydew and specialty melons.
South African Citrus Imports
by Summer Citrus from South Africa
CITRUSDAL, South Africa – Kicking off the season strong, Summer Citgrus from South Africa (SCSA) recently announced the arrival of its first vessel of citrus – containing mostly Navel oranges and Easy Peelers – to the United States. Combining efforts with supply chain partners like Holt Logistics and the Port of Philadelphia enables SCSA to provide a steady supply of fresh citrus to the U.S. during the summer months when domestic supplies are not in season.
“We’re excited that Summer Citrus from South Africa producers have once again teamed up with Seatrade to bring dedicated shiploads of fresh and delicious citrus from sunny South Africa to eager consumers in the U.S.,” Howard Posner, general manager of Seatrade USA, said.
SCSA’s second vessel of South African citrus arrived July 5th.
A strong exchange rate is helping Quebec vegetable shippers increase their exports to the United States. Meanwhile, California pear shipments are underway.
With the incentive of a strong exchange rate, Quebec growers have been exporting vegetables ranging from radishes, leaf lettuce and asparagus..
Since 2012 members of the Quebec Produce Growers Association have been exporting nearly 50 percent of its vegetables and this is expected to increase on 2017. Most of those exports are to the U.S. including the East Coast, mid-west and Texas. Various types of lettuces (such as iceberg and leaf), as well as cucumbers, broccoli and cauliflower are now being shipped. Green peppers and cantaloupe should be starting any day now, followed by colored peppers in mid-August.
Produce cooperative Groupe Vegco Inc., in Sherrington, has been shipping carrots, colored beets and celery root since June.
Isabelle Inc. of Saint Michel started digging 1,000 acres of whites, reds, yellows and russets in early July. Last year, the company exported 15 percent of its product to the East Coast.
California Pear Shipments
California bartlett pear shipments should total about 2 million 36-pound box equivalents this season, which got underway around the Fourth of July. That is almost equal to last year’s loadings, although some other pear varieties will take a hit.
Lake and Mendocino counties will have significantly fewer pear shipments than last year, which had a bumper crop. Last year’s combined shipments for all California varieties was 3.1 million boxes.
Bosc and golden bosc are down about 30 percent from 2015, with most of the reduction in the early Sacramento River district.
Rivermaid Trading Co. of Lodi packs and ships more than half of California’s fresh pears, as consolidations have reduced the number of packers from a dozen or so a decade ago to only four today.
Rivermaid expects over 1 million boxes of bartletts, and about 200,000 boxes of bosc pears out of about 400,000 total. Scully Packing Co. of Finley, began with mountain bartletts in Lake and Mendocino counties, with boscs coming August 1st and all other varietal pears by mid- to late-August.
The latest California pear shipments will overlap with Pacific Northwest loadings, with bartletts available all the way into October from the Golden State while Yakima, Wash., starts the same variety typically in the second week of August.
One of the challenges of California pear shippers is the lack of extended storage like is available in the Northwest.
San Joaquin Valley stone fruit and pears – grossing about $6800 to New York City.
by Allen Lund Company
La Cañada Flintridge Calif. – Allen Lund Company (ALC) is hosting a Christmas in July Toy Drive from July 5-31 in support of Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdPLA) in Downtown, Los Angeles. ALC invites the La Cañada Flintridge community to donate toys to provide a Christmas for the severely under served families of Los Angeles.
The Christmas in July Toy Drive, sponsored by SVdPLA, will benefit a multitude of families. To date only 200 toys have been donated to provide 2,000 recipients with gifts. In December, families will receive a donated food basket as well as toys and shoes for the children.
“This is our fourth year working with SVdPLA and every year we’ve not only accomplished our goals of providing meals and toys for families, but continued to increase participation from donors,” said Nora Trueblood, Director of Marketing at Allen Lund Company. “With the help of the community, we can give families the gift of Christmas this holiday season.”
We are in need of new and unwrapped toys for children between the ages of 3-17. Sports equipment is also recommended, especially for older children.
For more information, please call (818) 949 – 4505
About Allen Lund Company:
Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and over 450 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers across the nation to arrange dry, refrigerated (specializing in produce), and flatbed freight; additionally, the Allen Lund Company has a logistics and software division, ALC Logistics, and an International Division licensed by the FMC as an OTI-NVOCC #019872NF.
Established in 1976, the Allen Lund Company was selected as the 2015 Coca-Cola Challenger Carrier of the Year, 2016 Top IT Provider by Inbound Logistics, 2015 Top Private Company in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2015 Top 100+ Software and Technology Providers, 2015 Top 100 Logistics IT Provider by Inbound Logistics, a 2014 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100, a 2014 Great Supply Chain Partner, and was placed in Transport Topics’ “2014 Top 25 Freight Brokerage Firms.” The company managed over 310,000 shipments in 2015, and received the 2013 “Best in Cargo Security Award.” In 2011 the company received the TIA 3PL Samaritan Award, and the NASTC (National Association of Small Trucking Companies) named Allen Lund Company the 2010 Best Broker of the Year. More information is available at www.allenlund.com.
A visit by “Jack Frost” last spring suckered punch Michigan apple growers and the result will be fewer loading opportunities in the new season set to start soon.
Michigan apple shipments for the upcoming season have taken a significant hit due to a frost last May. It is expected to result in nearly 30 percent fewer truck loads from the from 2016 17-shipping season.
While the official USDA forecast will come out August 10th, the industry’s Premier 2017 Apple Production Estimate pegs the Michigan crop at 20 million (42-pound) cartons, off 29 percent from a year ago and 8 percent less than the five-year average.
Among the biggest losers from the spring cold were jonagolds and McIntosh, which suffered significant frost damage on May 8. Having much better luck were galas, Honeycrisp and fuji apples.
Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc. of Sparta, MI is among the state’s largest apple shippers. The company expects about three-quarters of a full crop.
Initially, the USDA estimates 27.98 million cartons of fresh and processed fruit for Michigan apples.
Total fresh Michigan apple shipments through early July were nearly 9 million cartons, with most of the fresh apples from the old shipped by mid-July.
First harvest of paulareds and gingergold apples is expected around the third week of August.
U.S. Apple Shipments
The USDA in its June forecast — the final one for the 2016-17 — the agency raised its 2016 estimate for Washington apple shipments by 8 percent compared with the August 2016 estimate. The USDA also raised its estimate for 2016 U.S. apple production from 248 million (42-pound) cartons in August 2016 to its final estimate of 268 million cartons.
The Premier estimate shows the 2017 U.S. apple crop at 255.57 million cartons, which is down 5 percent from the final USDA estimate for the 2016 crop of 268.4 million cartons.
The 2017 Premier production estimate for Washington state calls for production of 165 million cartons in 2017, down 5.3 percent from 174.3 million cartons produced in 2016 but 9 percent higher than the five-year average. About 80 percent of Washington apples are shipped fresh.
While New Jersey “blues” are entering the final leg of the blueberry shipping season, carrot loading opportunities out of Washington state will increase significantly this year.
Entering the second week of July, 2017 New Jersey blueberry shipments were about 65 percent completed. Grower-shippers here were already describing it as one of the better seasons in years. Jersey “blues” should wrap up during the first week of August.
This season is marked by more fresh market and fewer “blues” for processing than usual. Normally, about 80 percent of Jersey blueberries go to the fresh market, with the balance going to processors. Looking towards the end of the current season, some observers believe nearly 90 percent will end up in the fresh market .
Washington Carrot Shipments
By Grimmway Farms
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Grimmway Farms, a global produce leader and the world’s largest producer of carrots, July 18th announced it has activated its Pasco, WA., baby carrot processing facility to provide customers with freight savings and additional shipping options during the July – November harvesting season.
“We’re pleased to offer more shipping options to our customers in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Providing access to our baby carrots through this additional resource allows these customers to better serve their markets,” said Jeff Huckaby, president of Grimmway Farms. “Our Pasco facility is a great option for customers and distribution centers that manage high volumes of both conventional and organic varieties of our baby carrots. We look forward to leveraging this facility to provide our customers with an outstanding experience throughout this busy harvest season.”
Grimmway’s Pasco facility was modeled after the company’s Malaga facility – its premier baby carrot processing facility located in Arvin, CA – which was designed for optimal efficiency and minimal waste.
Following two seasons of small runs, 2017 marks the first time that Grimmway’s Pasco facility is being operated at larger capacity to enhance customer shipping logistics of orange cut and peeled baby carrots – the company’s most popular item. Customers who obtain other types of produce from growers in the Pacific Northwest can combine Grimmway’s baby carrots with other commodities via the Pasco facility to reduce their transportation and logistical costs.
To contact the Grimmway Farms’ Pasco facility, call (661) 391-5290.
By Oppy
LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass. – The stage is set to expand the 87-year-old Ocean Spray® brand — with many sweet things to come.
In a natural extension of the relationship formed in 2003 to market Ocean Spray fresh cranberries, Oppy and its partner berry growers are now shipping fresh strawberries and blueberries from California under an Ocean Spray® brand.
Ultimately, a range of berries, including blackberries and raspberries, will join strawberries and blueberries as part of the Family Farmer Owned™ brand of fresh produce. The program expands and elevates Oppy’s berry offerings, delivering fruit of high quality and great flavor in a familiar and trusted label. This expansion also establishes a year-round fresh berry presence for the Ocean Spray® brand.
“Ocean Spray was founded by three cranberry growers looking to expand the market for their fruit,” said Clark Reinhard, vice president of innovation for Ocean Spray. “The brand is well known across multiple grocery aisles but our presence in produce has been limited to just a few months of the year. The perimeter of the grocery store is growing fast and by collaborating with Oppy our brand will be on fresh, high quality produce from family farms year round.”
The Ocean Spray® brand bolsters Oppy’s strategic push in the berry category, according to James Milne, vice president of marketing. “We conducted extensive research throughout North America over the past year and discovered a genuine enthusiasm for berries. There is a clear opportunity for a strong brand like Ocean Spray® to enter the market and capture people’s imaginations. This new innovation will disrupt an established category and offer a surprising new berry experience to the trade and consumers alike.”
Following California strawberries and blueberries, the Ocean Spray® Family Farmer Owned™ brand will feature fruit produced by Oppy domestic berry growers in the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and its international network of family farmers.
“Consumers should ultimately understand that when they see the Ocean Spray logo anywhere in the world they are supporting family farms- the same way they do buying at their local farmer’s market,” said Reinhard. “While cranberries remain at the heart of what we do, bringing other berries to market under the same brand will be a huge benefit to growers, retailers and ultimately the consumer.”
“Partnering with Ocean Spray enables us to simultaneously deliver new value to our grower partners and our retail customers,” said David Smith, Oppy president and chief marketing officer. “Berry growers everywhere understand the stature of the Ocean Spray® brand and are engaging with the opportunity. Meanwhile we’re providing our retail partners the exciting option of high quality strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries packed in a label of high consumer awareness and appeal.”
Smith notes that the timing is advantageous for all, with berry category sales at retail elevating 15 percent in the last two years, while also realizing average-price-per-pound gains. IRI data shows that berry sales volume has increased throughout the U.S., while branded produce is earning greater dollar share throughout the category.
by Koppert Cress
It’s a cucumber! It’s a watermelon! It’s…it’s…Pepquiños! These unusual grape-sized veggies are back in town and better than ever!
The Pepquiño is a micro cucumber that looks like a tiny watermelon. It has a refreshingly tart cucumber / melon flavor and can be eaten whole with the skin, or sliced. They make an eye-catching cocktail garnish, an excellent pickle, or a wonderful accompaniment to a fresh fish crudo.
Your imagination is the limit!
Origin: South America
Flavor: Fresh cucumber with slightly sour flavor.
Use: Appetizers, snacks, salads or stir-fry. Can be eaten whole.
Availability: From Summer to Fall
Storage: Store for up to ten days at 36 to 40°F.
Packaging: Tamper-evident clamshell 8 oz. (approx. 9 pieces for 1 oz.)
The micro-cucumber that looks like a tiny watermelon!
“…the world’s smallest watermelon” – NY Daily News
“Small but perfectly formed Pepquiño “micro melons”, 20 times smaller than their full size counterparts” – Telegraph
“ … the world’s only bite-sized melon” – Slashfood
All natural, the Pepquiño is a very ancient species which makes it difficult to determine its precise origin. Our research shows that this ‘micro-cucumber’ was first found in South America and is actually closely related to the melon. Pepquiño can be eaten whole (with the skin), fried or pickled.
Preparation
Cress and specialties are often used for decoration purposes, however, there are so many more options. All products in the Collection are selected for their tasteful characteristics as well. These are brought to the surface when eaten ‘as-is’, but there are a number of techniques by which they can be used in different ways. We present to you a number of examples on how to even better make use of the special characteristics of the cress and specialties.
Pepquino is found in retail stores in the Northeastern U.S., with lesser amounts found in Florida and other Eastern states, as well as several retailer in the mid-west and Seattle.
New York vegetable shipments are now moving to markets, while potato loads from the new crops for Washington and Oregon will be underway soon.
It was a drought in New York last year, but too much rain this year affecting vegetable shipments. For example, Turek Farms of King Ferry, NY has left a few hundred of its nearly 4,000 acres unplanted this year due to excessive rains. The company’s s corn harvest is just getting underway to be followed by cabbage, broccoli and Brussels spouts.
Torrey Farms Inc. of Elba, NY grows about 14,000 acres and faces similar issues. Torrey also grows cucumbers, green beans, yellow squash, cabbage, onions, potatoes and winter squash.
Meanwhile, Eden Valley Growers of Eden, NY, just got started with sweet corn, cabbage, squash, cucumbers and beans.
New York shipped sweet corn in 2016 off of 26,600 acres, amounting to 2.5 million cwt. Corn for the fresh market made up $44.6 million of a total crop value of $53 million. Green bean shipments last year came off of 28,300 acres, for a total of nearly 2 million cwt.
New York’s vegetable shipments extend into late November and even early December for some crops.
Washington Potato Shipments
In 2016 Washington growers planted 170,000 acres of potatoes, with acreage and volumes expected to be similar this season. The state typically ships about 10 billion pounds of potatoes each growing season.
Potandon Produce LLC of Idaho Falls, ID, will begin shipping russet and colored potatoes out of Osceola, WA later this month, while Norm Nelson Inc., of Burlington, WA expects to start loading spuds in September.
Washington’s Columbia Basin potato shipments – grossing about $3400 to Chicago.
Oregon Potato Shipments
Oregon potato shipments for the fresh market represents nearly 13 percent of total production in the U.S. Similar volume of about 2.5 billion pounds is seen for the upcoming season.
Strebin Farms LLC of Troutdale, OR will pack the old storage crop through the end of July, before starting with the new crop in early August. In similar fashion, Amstad Produce LLC, of Sherwood, OR also expects its new potato crop to be ready after the first week of August. The company will be shipping red and yellow potatoes August through the end of the year out of the Willamette Valley.
by Potatoes USA
The domestic marketing committee meeting of Potatoes USA began with a review of sales and marketing research. The volume and value of frozen potato product sales at retail for the past five years were up 2%; the volume of dehy is down 11% and value down 8%; and fresh refrigerated sales up 13% in volume and 19% in value.
For fresh spuds, the volume was down 6% but the value up 6% with russets contributing significantly to the decline, off 13% in volume and down 6% in value. This was countered by an increase in 7% in the volume and 14% in value of red sales; yellows were up 50% in both volume and value; and the volume of purple/blue sales were up 58% with the value up 46% for the five-year period.
Consumer attitudes and in-home usage of tubers continued to improve based on research conducted for Potatoes USA. Potatoes’ (including chips) share of home meal occasions was 26% for breakfast, 41% for lunch, 43% for dinner and 40% for snacks. The share of dinners that included potatoes increased 2 points and puts spuds ahead of all other foods with pasta just below at 40%, rice at 36% and poultry at 31%. The closest vegetable was bagged salad at 20% of dinner occasions. Spuds are also three of the top four dishes served at foodservice led by fries at #1, salads #2, mashed #3 and baked #4. Products that included the product accounted for 9% of all new food items launched at retail.
The marketing department staff provided detailed updates on the programs starting with the Consumer program which is inspiring Food Enthusiasts to prepare and eat more potatoes through print, digital, social media and retail print advertising. Influencers from bloggers to food writers to celebrity chefs are also being engaged to provide inspiring new ways to prepare potatoes. The Spud Nation food trucks operating in Denver and Washington DC are being promoted through social media via Twitter, Instagram, Yelp and Facebook. On the nutrition front, Potatoes USA is establishing that the one lifestyle benefit of potatoes is that they are vital to people performing at their very best. This spans from elite athletes to hardworking adults to busy parents. This message is being delivered by RDs for professional sports teams, writers for fitness and lifestyle magazines and bloggers at FitFluential and elsewhere.
The Retail program is focused on increasing sales of all products at retail through shipper outreach, retailer outreach and consumer ads at retail. New tools and insights for both shippers and retailers will be launched soon. The Ingredient program is making the potato the ingredient MVP and providing food developers and chefs with piping hot inspiration. The Foodservice program is inspiring culinary professionals to offer more potato dishes on their menus. This is done through advertising and media, experiential marketing and events, culinary innovation and public relations. The School Foodservice program is hitting its stride as it creates future potato enthusiast through delicious and healthy potato dishes on school cafeteria menus. Potatoes are very underrepresented at breakfast in schools and thus Potatoes USA, in conjunction with the School Nutrition Association, has launched a campaign including a recipe contest designed to change this. The Potatoes USA Salad Bar Challenge has already placed 264 salad bars in schools across the country. These bars are making a difference not only in kid’s lives but in the inclusion of potatoes in school foodservice.
by Mann Packing Co., Inc.
SALINAS, Calif. – Mann Packing announced a partnership with the California Walnut Board for two of its innovative Vegetable Slaw Blends: Power Blend and Kale Beet Blend.
The promotion includes $1.50 off per pack of slaw when any 7.5oz or larger package of California walnuts is purchased. The promotion will run for two weeks from the end of July through mid-August.
“Recognizing California walnuts’ versatility and variety of health benefits, a partnership featuring our slaw blends is a wonderful opportunity to boost summer sales,” said Gina Nucci, director of corporate marketing at Mann’s. “Mann’s is committed to collaborating and creating a synergy with organizations like the California Walnut Board, and we look forward to working with them to complement each other’s strengths,” she added.
California Walnuts was established in 1948 and represents over 4,800 walnut growers and more than 90 walnut handlers in California. One of the Board’s key efforts is promoting the usage of walnuts across the U.S. through advertising, publicity and educational programs.
“Walnuts are a perfect ingredient for summer salads and we are delighted to partner with Mann Packing on this Summer Slaw promotion,” said Michelle Connelly, executive director of the California Walnut Board. “Additionally, the combination of these superfoods packs a delicious punch of nutrition.”
Additional promotions will be available at Safeway, Albertsons, Meijer, Wakefern, Raleys, Schnucks, and Giant Eagle, among others.
About Mann Packing
In the late 1930’s, when the United States was beginning to recover from the Great Depression, a young Stanford graduate came to California’s Salinas Valley seeking employment. H.W. “Cy” Mann began his career trimming fruit and lettuce for 40¢ an hour. In 1939, he opened a fresh carrot packing operation and a business was born. From day one, Mr. Mann built a reputation for honesty and integrity—one that remains with us today.
In 1976 Bill Ramsey and Don Nucci joined Mr. Mann as partners in the company. Today, the Nucci and Ramsey families lead the firm which now spans three generations. They are a majority women-owned and operated business, and one of the country’s leading suppliers of fresh vegetables, including its proprietary Broccolini® product and award-winning Stringless Sugar Snap Peas.
Stone fruit shipments, as well as melons are underway from California’s San Joaquin Valley. Plus, we take a look at South African citrus imports.
California stone fruit loadings are in steady volume from the Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley. Volume for a combination of peaches, plums and nectarines is averaging around 650 truc loads weekly.
Demand for California peaches has been boosted by a short crop on the East Coast. Georgia lost 70 percent of it peaches this season due to adverse spring weather. As of June 25, 81 percent of Georgia’s peach crop had been harvested, compared to 56 percent a year earlier and a five-year average of 55 percent.
Melon Shipments
Western cantaloupe and honeydew shipments in recent weeks have been slashed by as much as 60 percent due to triple digit temperatures. It has basically ended shipments from California’s Imperial Valley and parts of Arizona.
In the San Joaquin Valley, melon loadings are finally starting to return to normal following the excessive heat. One of those adversely affected was Couture Farms of Huron, CA, which grows and ships honeydew and specialty melons.
South African Citrus Imports
by Summer Citrus from South Africa
CITRUSDAL, South Africa – Kicking off the season strong, Summer Citgrus from South Africa (SCSA) recently announced the arrival of its first vessel of citrus – containing mostly Navel oranges and Easy Peelers – to the United States. Combining efforts with supply chain partners like Holt Logistics and the Port of Philadelphia enables SCSA to provide a steady supply of fresh citrus to the U.S. during the summer months when domestic supplies are not in season.
“We’re excited that Summer Citrus from South Africa producers have once again teamed up with Seatrade to bring dedicated shiploads of fresh and delicious citrus from sunny South Africa to eager consumers in the U.S.,” Howard Posner, general manager of Seatrade USA, said.
SCSA’s second vessel of South African citrus arrived July 5th.
A strong exchange rate is helping Quebec vegetable shippers increase their exports to the United States. Meanwhile, California pear shipments are underway.
With the incentive of a strong exchange rate, Quebec growers have been exporting vegetables ranging from radishes, leaf lettuce and asparagus..
Since 2012 members of the Quebec Produce Growers Association have been exporting nearly 50 percent of its vegetables and this is expected to increase on 2017. Most of those exports are to the U.S. including the East Coast, mid-west and Texas. Various types of lettuces (such as iceberg and leaf), as well as cucumbers, broccoli and cauliflower are now being shipped. Green peppers and cantaloupe should be starting any day now, followed by colored peppers in mid-August.
Produce cooperative Groupe Vegco Inc., in Sherrington, has been shipping carrots, colored beets and celery root since June.
Isabelle Inc. of Saint Michel started digging 1,000 acres of whites, reds, yellows and russets in early July. Last year, the company exported 15 percent of its product to the East Coast.
California Pear Shipments
California bartlett pear shipments should total about 2 million 36-pound box equivalents this season, which got underway around the Fourth of July. That is almost equal to last year’s loadings, although some other pear varieties will take a hit.
Lake and Mendocino counties will have significantly fewer pear shipments than last year, which had a bumper crop. Last year’s combined shipments for all California varieties was 3.1 million boxes.
Bosc and golden bosc are down about 30 percent from 2015, with most of the reduction in the early Sacramento River district.
Rivermaid Trading Co. of Lodi packs and ships more than half of California’s fresh pears, as consolidations have reduced the number of packers from a dozen or so a decade ago to only four today.
Rivermaid expects over 1 million boxes of bartletts, and about 200,000 boxes of bosc pears out of about 400,000 total. Scully Packing Co. of Finley, began with mountain bartletts in Lake and Mendocino counties, with boscs coming August 1st and all other varietal pears by mid- to late-August.
The latest California pear shipments will overlap with Pacific Northwest loadings, with bartletts available all the way into October from the Golden State while Yakima, Wash., starts the same variety typically in the second week of August.
One of the challenges of California pear shippers is the lack of extended storage like is available in the Northwest.
San Joaquin Valley stone fruit and pears – grossing about $6800 to New York City.
by Allen Lund Company
La Cañada Flintridge Calif. – Allen Lund Company (ALC) is hosting a Christmas in July Toy Drive from July 5-31 in support of Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdPLA) in Downtown, Los Angeles. ALC invites the La Cañada Flintridge community to donate toys to provide a Christmas for the severely under served families of Los Angeles.
The Christmas in July Toy Drive, sponsored by SVdPLA, will benefit a multitude of families. To date only 200 toys have been donated to provide 2,000 recipients with gifts. In December, families will receive a donated food basket as well as toys and shoes for the children.
“This is our fourth year working with SVdPLA and every year we’ve not only accomplished our goals of providing meals and toys for families, but continued to increase participation from donors,” said Nora Trueblood, Director of Marketing at Allen Lund Company. “With the help of the community, we can give families the gift of Christmas this holiday season.”
We are in need of new and unwrapped toys for children between the ages of 3-17. Sports equipment is also recommended, especially for older children.
For more information, please call (818) 949 – 4505
About Allen Lund Company:
Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and over 450 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers across the nation to arrange dry, refrigerated (specializing in produce), and flatbed freight; additionally, the Allen Lund Company has a logistics and software division, ALC Logistics, and an International Division licensed by the FMC as an OTI-NVOCC #019872NF.
Established in 1976, the Allen Lund Company was selected as the 2015 Coca-Cola Challenger Carrier of the Year, 2016 Top IT Provider by Inbound Logistics, 2015 Top Private Company in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2015 Top 100+ Software and Technology Providers, 2015 Top 100 Logistics IT Provider by Inbound Logistics, a 2014 Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100, a 2014 Great Supply Chain Partner, and was placed in Transport Topics’ “2014 Top 25 Freight Brokerage Firms.” The company managed over 310,000 shipments in 2015, and received the 2013 “Best in Cargo Security Award.” In 2011 the company received the TIA 3PL Samaritan Award, and the NASTC (National Association of Small Trucking Companies) named Allen Lund Company the 2010 Best Broker of the Year. More information is available at www.allenlund.com.