Bill Martin - Haul Produce

New York’s BrightFarms and Ontario’s Metro Distribute Announce Expansion Plans

By Bill Martin | October 20, 2017

Expansion plans have been announced by BrightFarms and Metro Distribution.

BrightFarms has broke ground October 16th on its fourth greenhouse, this one in Wilmington, OH.

The facility will be 120,000 square feet and supply salad greens and herbs to retailers in the Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus metro areas, according to a news release.

Based in New York City, BrightFarms envisions building greenhouses around the U.S. to provide local product.

“There is a large opportunity for the supermarket produce department to grow if they can source locally, CEO Paul Lightfoot said in the release. “BrightFarms sees a clear opportunity in the market to expand our model for local produce across the country.”

BrightFarms continues to report increasing interest in its product, as it did earlier this year when an early finish for leafy greens in Yuma, Ariz., and a late start in Salinas, Calif., resulted in gaps in supply.

“We have seen demand for our local greens climb sharply as retailers have come to rely on the stability and consistency of our product,” Lightfoot said.

According to its website, Bright Farms has been working in urban agriculture since 2006. Since 2011, the company has been on a quest to bring commercial scale urban agriculture to the market, take our farms and the industry to the next level, and change the way we eat as a society.

METRO DISTRIBUTION

Metro Inc. announced a projected $400 million investment over six years in its Ontario distribution network. The firm will modernize its operations in Toronto between 2018 and 2023 by building a new fresh distribution facility and a new frozen distribution facility, both of which will leverage technological improvements like automation.

The company’s distribution network in Toronto was built mostly over 50 years ago and no longer meets the evolving needs of the business.

Metro currently operates six distribution centers in Ontario. Four centers are located in Toronto and two in Ottawa. Together, they provide employment to over 1,500 employees. Metro’s

decision to modernize and automate a part of its distribution network will result in an anticipated loss of approximately 180 full-time and 100 part-time positions starting in 2021.

NewsBrightFarms , feature , Metro Distribution

Port of LA Sets Record for Container Volume; New Pharr Distribution Center is Coming Soon

By Bill Martin | October 19, 2017

More container volume is being handled at the Port of Los Angeles, and a California company is expanding its presence in South Texas.

Container volumes increased over 16 percent from over the previous year at the Port of Los Angeles, which had its busiest July ever. This took place as U.S. ports continue to post record traffic numbers, including the major West Coast entry point for many Central and South American fruits and vegetables.

L.A. had almost 797,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) came through the port, the most in any July since it opened 110 years ago, according to a news release.

The port also set a 12-month shipping record for a Western Hemisphere port during the most recent fiscal years.

Port officials expect the calendar year to break records as well. Container volumes are 9.5 percent over 2016 volume to date, a year that also saw records fall.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union recently extended their contracts with the terminal operators at the port until 2022.

NEW TEXAS DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Index Fresh of Bloomington, CA broke ground earlier this year on a new distribution center in South Texas that should be ready to receive fruit sometime in November. The company is anticipating continued growth with the U.S. consumption of avocados.

Index Fresh has used a commercial warehouse facility in the Rio Grande Valley for several years at Crosspoint Cold Storage, but decided it was time to expand and build its own facility.

Located in Pharr, The Index Fresh distribution center is being built a stone’s throw from the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, which is a major entry point for Mexican avocados and other fruits and vegetables originating south of the border. The facility will be used to pre-cool and condition the fruit.

It will have the capacity to handle 2,600 pallets of avocados, with 10 separate ripening rooms. Mexico exports more avocados to the U.S. than any country, with South Texas being the most popular port of entry.

Newscontainer volumes , feature , Mexican avocados , Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge , Port of Los Angeles

Imported Asparagus and a Diet Avocado is being Introduced

By Bill Martin | October 18, 2017

Asparagus imports are rising. Meanwhile, a diet avocado is being introduced.

Imported Peruvian asparagus is now arriving a U.S. ports in normal volume after experiencing tight supplies, at least compared to this time last year. .

Now both Peru and Mexico are hitting stride when it comes to volume. As a rule, Peruvian asparagus imports move into good volume in May, which continues through the middle of January. At this time there will be heavier imports of Mexican asparagus from Caborca and central Mexico in the winter and summer.

This year, imports of Peruvian asparagus have been lower compared with year-ago levels due to adverse weather conditions earlier in the year, which took a toll on yields. Season-to-date volume from Peru is down 800,000 to 1 million boxes compared with a year ago. Through September 30th, the USDA reported total imports of Peruvian asparagus totals 6.01 million 11-pound cartons, off from 7.35 million cartons at the same time a year ago. The U.S. receives about 70 percent of Peru’s fresh asparagus exports.

So far this year, Mexican asparagus shipments to the U.S. were 5.8 million cartons through September 30th, up seven percent from the same time a year ago.

Peruvian Avocado Imports

The United States received a record 145 million pounds of Peruvian avocados this year, helping meet demand in a market short of domestic supplies.

Diet Avocados

A Spanish fruit company has invented a diet avocado with 30 percent less fat.

Eurobanan has introduced a diet avocado under its Isla Bonita brand. It is describe as having a mild flavor and juicier pulp, and also ripening fast yet oxidizing ie, turning so a shade of gray much more slowly. This means it should outlast a full-fat conventional avocado. It is said to be great for the preparation of smoothies, cold soup, gazpachos, cocktails, and many other dishes.

Its official launch is later this month at a trade show in Madrid. However, but unfortunately for Americans, the diet avocado will only be sold in Spain for the time being.

Spanish heart-health advocates tested the fruit’s nutritional claims, and have since affixed seal certifying it does have almost one-third less fat and can be grown almost year around.

Avocados have the type of fat deemed good by doctors because it is monounsaturated, and helps lower bad cholesterol if eaten in moderation.

Trucking Reportsasparagus imports , diet avocados , feature , Mexcian asparagus , Peruvian asparagus

Mission Produce’s New Organic Avocado Box.; Side Delights has Duo Potatoes Offering

By Bill Martin | October 17, 2017

A new box for organic avocados has been introduced, while another company has come out with Duo Potatoes.

Mission Produce of Oxnard, CA. has introduced a new box for organic avocados so it will be distinctive to employees in the back room and consumers in a supermarket.

The box, with a purple stripe on white background, comes in a single-layer flat and double-layer box.

The company continues to use purple mesh bags for some organic avocados and purple price look-up stickers to distinguish the organic avocados.

“This box will call out organic avocados in the back room as well as on the sales floor,” Megan Berenbach, organic category manager for Mission Produce, said in a news release. “It helps to highlight the organic fruit for backroom staff and will help them identify inventory as they pull Mission organic avocados for display.

“As the organic category grows, we made it a priority to support our customer’s needs with updated packaging,” she said.

“Based on the popularity and growth of the avocado category — and especially organic avocados — we feel strongly that we need to do more to highlight organic for retailers and consumers alike,” said vice president of marketing Robb Bertels. “According to the Hass Avocado Board, over 50 percent heavy avocado users consider organic to be an important attribute when they are on the path to purchase. We don’t expect that to slow down, and anything we can do to highlight organic will benefit the category.”

SIDE DELIGHTS

Triple-washed red and yellow potatoes in the pack can be cooked in the bag in eight minutes and is being launched as Duo Potatoes, according to a news release.

“Colorful potatoes scream ‘healthy’ and Side Delights Steamables provide that extra pop of color to dinner plates in eight minutes or less,” Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network said. “We are researching and listening to what our customer wants and continue to provide variety and excitement to our popular product line, helping our retailers’ bottom line.”

The Steamables lineup also includes Russet Potatoes, Medley Potatoes, Golden Potatoes, Red Potatoes, Fingerling Potatoes, Purple Potatoes and Petite Sweet Potatoes.

Fresh Solutions Network reports the microwaveable/steamable fresh potato segment is growing, citing Nielsen data.

The category is up 12.6 percent in volume sales and up 28.4 percent in dollar sales from last year.

Fresh Solutions Network, a group of growers and shippers, is the exclusive supplier of Side Delights items.

NewsDuo Potatoes , feature , organic avocados

Florida News: Port Manatee Getting New Business; Produce Damage from Hurricane

By Bill Martin | October 16, 2017

Increased shipments from Mexico with ocean carrier World Direct Shipping is coming to Port Manatee in Central Florida with addition of another weekly stop to the port. At the same time, damage estimates to Florida produce are coming from the state.

World Direct Shipping has announced the increase in service to the port by the company, which was first established in 2014. Ships depart from the north-central part of Veracruz, from Port Tuxpan, in a service starting January 12th.

“We couldn’t be happier with how the initial service has thrived, with our 2 ½-day transit time offering the fastest short-sea connection between Mexico and the U.S. Southeast, Northeast and Midwest for refrigerated produce and other cargos,” said Carlos Diaz, director of Palmetto, Fla.-based World Direct Shipping, in a news release.

The new service complements the other World Direct Shipping arrival at the port, starting from Coatzacoalcos, Diaz said. Tuxpan is the closest commercial port to Mexico City, providing for more opportunities for fruit exports.

The weekly schedules call for Friday departures and Monday arrivals for the new service. Currently, ships leave Coatzacoalcos on Saturday and arrive at Port Manatee on Tuesdays.

Florida vs. Hurricane Irma

While Florida isn’t exactly a mecca for produce loads during the fall and winter, there are going to be less opportunities than ever in the coming months as the state works to recover from the damages resulting from Hurricane Irma.

The early assessment of total damages to agricultural production in the state is $2.5 billion.

Over 420,000 acres of citrus production were hit, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Losses were heaviest in Collier and Hendry counties, which estimated losses at $2,500 an acre for about 94,000 acres. Eleven other counties projected losses of $1,750 per acre for about 254,000 acres, and Polk and Martin counties estimated damages at $1,100 per acre for about 72,000 acres.

Many trees were just a few weeks from harvest when the storm hit.

Along with fruit loss and infrastructure damage, growers are worried over trees dying due to flooding, which is not included in this initial estimate.

Florida citrus sales still hover near $1 billion, despite the downturn in the last decade due to citrus greening disease.

Damage to the other fruit and vegetable crops in Florida, were found on over 163,000 acres.

Because the planting season was just beginning for most vegetables, the crop losses will result in shorter seasons, market distortions and lower yields because of the storm diluting the pesticides that had been applied to fields.

Trucking Reportsfeature , Florida produce , Hurricane Irma , Port Manatee , World Direct Shipping

California Prune Shipments to Soar; Lipman Expands Farming Network

By Bill Martin | October 13, 2017

Californa prune shipments are expected soar by nearly 100 percent this season. Meanwhile, a significant expansion involving two produce companies is taking place in North Carolina.

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service believes the 2017 California prune harvest will total 105,000 tons, a 99 percent increase over 2016’s 52,851-ton crop.

This year, the industry is returning to a more normal size harvest. Harvest concluded about a month ago. Weather in recent years has created challenges for prune growers, but growers say the trees are rebounding this year. California is the world’s largest producer of prunes, accounting for 40 percent of the world’s supply and nearly of all the supply in the U.S.

LIPMAN EXPANDS FARMING NETWORK

By Lipman

TABOR CITY, N.C. — As a part of its commitment to sustainability and high-quality farming, Lipman Family Farms, North America’s largest field tomato grower, has partnered with North Carolina-based Table Fare Farms. Lipman will be the exclusive marketer for the farm, which currently grows watermelons in Tabor City, N.C., and is owned by Larry and Tammy O’Ferrel.

Currently affiliated with more than 50 local farmers in more than 20 states, Lipman partners with growers around the country through its Lipman Local program in order to bring its customers local, quality produce year-round.

“We are very excited to partner with Larry and Tammy O’Ferrel,” said Scott Rush, director of Lipman Local. “Table Fare Farms will be a great addition to the Lipman family and will allow us to expand our local produce offerings to our customers.”

Lipman plans to expand this partnership to include other commodities in the future.

“Working with Lipman is the ideal next step for us” said Table Fare Farms owner Larry O’Ferrel. “We are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

About Lipman

Based in Immokalee, FL., Lipman is the largest open-field tomato grower in North America, providing year-round fresh produce through an integrated network of research and development, farming, processing, and repacking. Farms in Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, California and Mexico are totaling tens of thousands of acres, allowing Lipman to grow and ship fresh produce 365 days a year. For more information, visit www.LipmanProduce.com.

Trucking Reportsfeature , fresh produce , Lipman Family Farms , prune shipments , Table Fare Farms

Yellow Potatoes Continue to Gain Market Share

By Bill Martin | October 12, 2017

By Ted Kreis

Yellow potatoes continue to gain market share and the gain is mostly at the expense of russets and whites, two potato types shippers in the Red River Valley haven’t grown for the fresh market in years.

Red River Valley red production has been up and down in recent years but one trend is clear, the valley is growing more yellows. In 2010 the valley produced just over 200,000 hundredweight (cwt.) of yellow potatoes. Just five years later in 2015 the valley produced 607,000 cwt., a three-fold increase. In 2016 the number increased even more despite some yellow losses in the northern valley. On a percentage basis, yellow potatoes made up just six percent of the Red River Valley fresh crop in 2010; the past two years they have averaged 14.5 percent.

Heimbuch Potato located south of Oaks in southeast North Dakota is geographically separated a bit from other Red River Valley shippers but they have close business ties with the valley. They are also included with the Red River Valley for USDA production and shipment numbers. Not too long ago Heimbuchs grew three types of potatoes for the fresh market; reds, yellows and russets. But brothers Chad and Josh Heimbuch picked up on the popular yellow trend early and in 2013 they switched to all yellow potato production.

Other Color Trends

Nationwide white potatoes for the fresh market have been the big losers. Since the 2008 crop year white potato shipments have decreased 43.3 percent, according to numbers compiled by the North American Potato Market News.

Russet shipments so far this season mimics closely 2008 although russets are down 7.7 percent from 2009 when they hit a 10 year peak.

U.S. red shipments had increased about 14% between 2009 and 2015 crop years but have regressed this year because of short supplies here in the Red River Valley, the nation’s largest red producer..

(Ted Kreis is the Marketing & Communications Director for the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, East Grand Forks, MN)

Newsfeature , Northern Plains Potato Growers Association , Red River Valley potatoes , yellow potatoes

Argentina Blueberries are Arriving in the U.S.; California Co. is Shipping Citrus for First Time

By Bill Martin | October 11, 2017

While the initial arrival of blueberries from Argentina has arrived by air, regular arrivals by boat at U.S. ports will be more common during the season….Meanwhile a California stone fruit shipper is shipping citrus for the first time.

The initial load of Argentina blueberries, which was over 50 tons, flew out of Tucuman’s renovated airport September 23rd. The Teniente General Benjamín Matienzo International Airport outside of Tucumans was closed over the summer for the runway to be reconstructed and extended from 2,900 meters to 3,500 meters. Member producers of the Argentinean Blueberry Committee, which accounts for 80 percent of the country’s blueberry exports, celebrated the loading of 53 tons of berries on a Boeing 747 bound for Miami, according to a news release.

“We are pleased to be able to carry out the first full-load export of blueberries to the U.S., and we expect to continue in this direction, strengthening the (export) market,” Federico Bayá, the committee’s president, said in the release.

The airport renovations also included infrastructure and equipment improvements making loading commercial shipments smoother and safer. But the big change is the extended runway, which allows for a heavier load than was previously possible.

California Company to Ship Citrus

By Mountain View Fruit Sales

Reedley, CA — Mountain View Fruit Sales, known for shipping tree fruit, has announced they will be shipping California Citrus this season. Partnering with Eastside Packing they will be adding additional commodities to their premium quality and customer service based program.

“We have been working on getting into the citrus deal for many years, but finding the right growers and varieties can’t be rushed, so we are pleased to announce we will be shipping mandarins and lemons for the 2017 season,” said Mike Thurlow owner and CEO of Mountain View Fruit Sales. “It is a natural for us as we are located right in the middle of the prime citrus growing region. We will be utilizing the same aggressive marketing platform we currently use for our premium stone fruit program.”

Kent Huckabay and Joel Gonzalez have joined the Mountain View Sales team, bringing expertise in citrus marketing to the table. “We’ve worked with Mountain View for years on the tree fruit side, and their marketing strategy is well suited to apply to citrus,” said Huckabay. Mountain View Fruit Sales has been a leading marketer of tree fruit in California’s San Joaquin Valley for over 20 years.

Trucking ReportsArgentina blueberries , California citrus , feature

USApple Asks: How Do You Do #AppleADay?

By Bill Martin | October 10, 2017

By USApple

Falls Church, VA — How do you like your daily apple? Do you slice a crisp Fuji at lunchtime and dip it in a side of nut butter? Perhaps you end your day on a sweet note with a warm piece of apple crumble? This apple season, USApple wants to know how consumers enjoy their #AppleADay.

During National Apple Month (Oct.) and through Nov. 3, USApple is taking to social media encouraging individuals to share comments, posts, pictures and videos answering how they take their #AppleADay. Each person who shares how they #AppleADay on the USApple.org website through an online form, or on social media with the #AppleADay hashtag enters to win gift cards or industry prizes.

From sliced to sauced, from blended to baked, as a morning meal or mid-night snack, USApple seeks to create the world’s longest list of ways to enjoy an #AppleADay. Individuals can submit their reasons a usapple.org/appleaday.

Responses to date include:

“I make crockpot baked apples.”
“Straight from the tree.”
“Every day with some cheese and crackers.”
“Apple slices, almond butter, cinnamon and oats.”
“I use it in my smoothies with avocados.”
“I always eat a fresh apple at lunch every day and apple crisp at least once a week. Apples are a staple in our house no matter which way we fix it.”

Read other responses at: usapple.org/appleaday-results.

“Our industry and the broader wellness community are always encouraging people to eat an apple a day, and an apple a day can look different for everyone,” said Korenna Wilson, Director of Consumer Health and Media Relations, USApple. “We want to spend peak harvest season engaging with consumers online to see just how people enjoy their favorite apples and show that it’s far from boring, or the same. Our growing list will give all of us new ideas to fit in that apple a day.”

About USApple

U.S. Apple Association is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business. More information on the organization is available at USApple.org.

News#AppleADay , feature , U.S. Apple Association , USApple

California Truck Rates Show Strength as Some Shipping Areas Near Seasonal Shift

By Bill Martin | October 9, 2017

California produce rates have been showing strength with an increased demand for refrigerated trucks in areas ranging from the Salinas and San Joaquin Valleys to Santa Maria and down south in Ventura County. The increases have generally been around one to five percent.

With the official arrival of fall occurring September 22d, which is the arrival of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. It also means the transition of many produce shipping areas, if not from one hemisphere to another, but at least from one country to another, or in some cases, especially in the Western U.S., shifting locations in the same state or a neighboring state.

California certainly is the best example of the changing season.

As Watsonville strawberry shipments decline the red berry’s volume is now increasing to the south in Ventura County. In California’s Central San Joaquin Valley, nearly 900 truck loads of cantaloupe are being shipped weekly from the Westside District, but this will soon be in a seasonal decline. At the same time, very light loadings of melons have started from Central and Western Arizona and are increasing. California honeydew volume already is in a seasonal decline with the new season barely underway in Central Arizona and will start in Western Arizona in the next week or so.

San Joaquin Valley table grapes is probably the state’s single biggest volume item averaging around 1750 truck loads weekly. The combined volume of head lettuce and romaine from the Salinas Valley has recently had similar volume to grapes, but lettuce volume will start sliding soon, to eventually give away to desert shipping areas in California and Arizona. Salinas also is offering around 600 loads of celery per week. To the south in Kern County, carrots are totaling about 750 loads.

Salinas vegetables – grossing about $5100 to Chicago; San Joaquin Valley fruit – grossing about $6200 to Baltimore.

Trucking ReportsCalifornia truck rates , feature , refrigerated trucks , strawberry shipments

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