Author Archive
Idaho apple shipments will provide the most loading opportunities since 1999, while Texas citrus is cranking up. Meanwhile, bad news from Chile as a killer freeze will take its toll on imports.
Idaho certainly isn’t a Washington state, or even a New York state, or Michigan when it comes to apple shipments, but it does provide moderate loading opportunities. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Idaho has a bumper apple crop this season….Of course, as is often the case, Idaho is shipping plenty of potatoes – and needs more trucks.
What is normally thought of as a potato shipping state, has an estimated 70 million pounds of apples this year, believed to be the largest in 15 years. With harvest winding down, yields have been great and apple quality is reported excellent, while growers are scrambling to find as many bins as possible.
Idaho’s apple harvest generally begins around the first part of September and is mostly wrapped up by the end of October, though some picking extends into November.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $1700 to L.A.; $5700 to New York City.
Texas Citrus Shipments
Harvesting of both grapefruit and oranges out of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas is well underway. Volume has been light thus far, but shipments should increase significantly by the week of November 10th. Good quality is reported and loadings should be available through next April.
Texas citrus – grossing about $2500 to Chicago.
Chilean Fruit Hit by Freeze
Lightning seems to have struck twice in Chile as frosts last week devastated crops in some southern growing regions, with one large producer estimating between 30-100 percent crop loss for fruits including kiwifruit, blueberries, cherries and apples. The freeze occurred October 8-9. We’ll keep you updated since Chile is a primary exporter of fresh produce to the U.S., with produce arriving at ports on both coasts, particularly during the winter months.
7 -Eleven, the world’s largest convenience store chain recently rolled out a test in 104 Los Angeles area to sell a line of what the chain calls “nutritionally balanced” fresh sandwiches, wraps and salads — and even cold-pressed juices — under the banner of fitness guru Tony Horton Kitchen.
Horton is the health and fitness executive whose DVD home workout series P90X has sold more than 4 million copies. More recently, he’s delved into better-for-you foods.
For 7-Eleven, it’s not about getting rid of other stuff in order to sell better-for-you items. It’s about offering both. It still will sell beer and cigarettes and Twinkies and hot dogs, but as Millennials and other core customers demand more better-for-you offerings, the chain is eager to expand its lineup of fresh foods and drinks. Health and wellness, after all, is a $50 billion category in the U.S., and growing.
The new menu includes two sandwiches (including Grilled Chicken with blueberry mustard on a whole-grain sub); two salads (including Spicy Quinoa Salad with Chimichurri dressing); two wraps (including Spicy Black Bean Hummus & Vegetables); and four cold-pressed juices (including one that combines apple, celery, beet, ginger, parsley, spinach and lemon).
7-Eleven sells seven times more bananas than it sells Snickers. If the new product line is a hit, it could be extended throughout Southern California and maybe even go national.
Sesame Street-branded products are in, or are planned for over 40 retailers representing more than 19,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada. It is part of what is known as the Eat Brighter! movement.
A series of updates have been added to the program and marketing to allow produce industry members to incorporate the Sesame Street character images, royalty-free, into their marketing strategies. according to a press release from the Produce Marketing Association.
Five retailers received their own licensing to display Eat Brighter! in-store signage and dozens of other retailers have said they will accept Sesame Street-branded in their stores. More retailers are expected to become licensed in coming weeks .
“We’re delighted by the response from both the supply- and buy-side of the industry,” Cathy Burns, president of PMA, said in the release. “We’ve spoken with each and every one of these companies, and they believe in the movement to help kids eat more fruits and vegetables. They are all industry leaders and recognize that success is defined through the collaboration and support they lend to one another.”
“The goal here is grand, but simple — to change the conversation around fresh produce and inspire kids to think about fruits and veggies in a completely different way,” Todd Putman, chief marketing officer of Bolthouse Farms and chairman of PMA’s marketing taskforce, said in the release. “The U.S. is in a serious health crisis — one third of all kids are obese and our industry has the answer. The Eat Brighter! movement is exactly what we need to help the entire industry come together, change that conversation, and ultimately create healthier generations for decades to come.”
During the winter months when U.S. domestic produce shipments are at their lowest, imports of fruits and vegetables from Southern hemisphere countries, which have opposite seasons from America, provide good loading opportunities at ports and border crossings. Here’s a look at Florida produce ports and South Texas.
South American Mangos
Mangos from Ecuador should be arriving at the South Florida port of Pompano Beach. However, Ecuador, as well as Brazil and Peru are all expected to be down in volume this season as a result of El Niño.
Kiwi Arriving at Port of Miami
Globally, Italy is the second-largest producer of kiwifruit….California production ramped up in early October and will continue through April. Most Italian kiwi imports will be through the Port of Miami.
California and Italy are both Northern Hemisphere producers, and Italian producers expect overall volume will be up approximately 15 percent this season.
Blueberry Imports
Blueberry imports from Argentina are arriving at the Port of Miami. While volume is still very light, it will be increasing soon.
Imports into South Texas
The new Baluarte Bridge in Mexico located between Sinaloa and Durango is changing a lot of things regardomg Lower Rio Grande Valley produce loads in Texas. The bridge, which is 3,000 feet long and soars 1,300 feet above the Baluarte River is resulting in a lot of winter West Mexican produce being shipped through south Texas, especially if the final destination is in the eastern half of the United States. 45 percent of all Mexican exports to the U.S. are now coming through Texas. Based on the past five years of trends, imports of Mexican fruits and vegetables through Texas will grow by an amazing 62 percent.
Mexican produce crossing at McAllen TX – grossing bout $2700 to Chicago; about $4400 to New York City.
Here’s a look at sweet potato shipments from the four leading states, plus potato shipments from Idaho and the Red River Valley.
Sweet Potato Shipments
Overall sweet potato shipments should be up significantly for the 2014-15 season, following an off season this past year.
North Carolina is the big volume state, although loadings are not particularly heavy yet cfor the early part of the season. Eastern North Carolina is only shipping about 250 truck loads per week at this point
In both Louisiana and Mississippi sweet potato volume remains light, but steady.
California sweet potato loadings originate out of the Atwater and Livingston areas. Volume is light, but steady.
North Carolina sweet potatoes – grossing about $2500 to Dallas.
Louisiana sweet potatoes – grossing about $1800 to Chicago.
Red River Valley Potato Shipments
Most spuds have been harvested in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. Some growers are reporting the best quality they have seen in six years. The valley could ship up to 4.3 million hundredweight this season, which would be up about 8 percent compared to last year. The Red River Valley fresh crop is about 91 percent reds, 9 percent yellows and a few whites. There is a truck shortage.
RRV potatoes – grossing about $3000 to Dallas.
Idaho Potato Shipments
Volume remains pretty steady for Idaho potato shipments at about 1600 truck load equivalents each week. Truck supplies remain in short supply.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $4700 to Atlanta.
Here’s a round of produce loads originating out of the Northeastern United States.
Appalachian Apple Shipments
Pennsylvania apple shipments are above preseason estimates, while New York loadings are less than expected.
Shipments are running about 10-15 percent more than preseason estimates and last year’s numbers as of early October. If the shipments hold true for the rest of the season, Pennsylvania should have record apple shipments.
Other apple shipping states in the Appalachian region include Maryland, Virginia and West Virgina
New York Produce Shipments
As for New York, apple loadings probably will not reach pre-season estimates. Part of that can be traced to a typical decline following a huge year in 2013-14, when New York shipped about 33 million cartons. The other reason is blamed on extreme cold last winter, which caused bud damage.
The onion harvest out of New York’s Orange County is well under way, resulting in increased onion shipments. Over 125 loads per week are now being shipped….Long Island, NY is shipping potatoes in light volume.
However, it is cabbage providing as big a volume as any fresh produce right now. About 160 loads a week are coming from production areas in the Western and Central areas of New York.
New York apples – grossing about $3400 to Orlando.
Maine Potato Shipments
The potato harvest in Aroostock County, ME is wrapping up, and the focus will soon be with shipping spuds to Eastern markets.
By National Mango Board
ORLANDO, Fla. — Research published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolic Insights found that regular consumption of mango by obese adults may lower blood sugar levels and does not negatively impact body weight. These are important findings considering that approximately 34 percent of U.S. adults have been classified as obese and given the health concerns related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome.1,2,3.
“We are excited about these promising findings for mangos, which contain many bioactive compounds, including mangiferin, an antioxidant that may contribute to the beneficial effects of mango on blood glucose. In addition, mangos contain fiber, which can help lower glucose absorption into the blood stream,” said Edralin Lucas, Ph.D., associate professor of nutritional sciences at Oklahoma State University, College of Human Sciences and lead study author. “Our results indicate that daily consumption of 10 grams of freeze-dried mango, which is equivalent to about one-half of a fresh mango (about 100 grams), may help lower blood sugar in obese individuals.”
This pilot study was designed to investigate the effects of mango consumption on anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and body composition in obese adults. Participants completing the 12-week study included 20 adults (11 males and 9 females) ages 20 to 50 years old with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 45 kg/m2. The study subjects were asked to maintain their usual diet, exercise habits, and regimen of regularly prescribed medications.
Each day during the study period, participants consumed 10 grams of freeze-dried mango, and dietary intake was monitored via 3-day food records assessed at baseline and after 6- and 12- weeks of mango supplementation. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and circumference of waist and hip) were measured at baseline and after 6- and 12- weeks of mango supplementation. Body composition and blood analyses of fasting blood triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and plasma insulin concentration were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks of mango supplementation.
The researchers found that after 12 weeks, participants had reduced blood glucose (-4.41 mg/dL, P<0.001), and this glucose lowering effect was seen in both males (-4.5 mg/dL, P=0.018) and females (-3.6 mg/dL, P=0.003). No changes were observed in overall body weight, hip or waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, percent fat mass, and lean mass. However, hip circumference was significantly lower in males (-3.3 cm, P=0.048) but not females. BMI tended to be higher in females (+0.9 kg/m2, P=0.062) but not males after mango supplementation, although these results were not statistically significant. Overall and by gender, there were no significant changes in triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, or blood pressure. The blood sugar findings of this study are in agreement with Lucas’ previous animal research, which was published in the British Journal of Nutrition.4
A nutrient rich fruit, mangos contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals, supporting optimal function of processes throughout the body. Mangos are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A as well as folate. They are also a good source of fiber, copper, and vitamin B6.
About National Mango Board
The National Mango Board is an agriculture promotion group, which is supported by assessments from both domestic and imported mangos. The board was designed to drive awareness and consumption of fresh mangos in the U.S. The superfruit mango contains 100 calories, and is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, a good source of fiber, and an amazing source of tropical flavor.
Mango availability per capita has increased 53 percent since 2005 to an estimated 2.87 pounds per year in 2013. Mango import volume for 2013 was 935 million pounds. Learn more at www.mango.org.
Cargo Data Corp., is promoting temperature recorders approved by Wal-Mart. The recorder has been approved for temperature controlled shipments to all U.S. distribution centers of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in Bentonville, Ark., according to a news release from the Ventura, Calif.-based Cargo Data.
The recorders can be used in produce, meat, poultry, seafood and floral, according to the release. The automated temperature monitoring system saves users time and money and helps reduce risk of hidden shrink, according to the release. Through the express data retrieval system, the recorders store up to 100 shipments of temperature data which can be downloaded to a computer for automatic archiving, according to the release.
The Cargo Data Corporation office is located in Ventura, CA. Its management team has been in place since 1974 and continues to focus on providing industry-leading cold chain monitoring solutions for firms involved in the perishable food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and floral industries.
It goal is to provide innovative cold chain monitoring products that are simple to use.
Cargo Data encourages the recycling of it digital temperature recorders in an effort to keep tons of circuit boards, batteries and other pollutants out of landfills.
Cargo Data markets its products in several channels. If you are a distributor or broker interested in in handling Cargo Data produce, contact the company at: info@cargodatacorp.com
Florida navel shipments will be down significantly this season, while other citrus items should show gains.
Florida citrus shipments will show small declines with navel oranges, grapefruit and tangerines, but valencias loadings are expected to increase, according to the first official USDA forecast.
Growers in Florida expect to ship 1.5 million cartons of navels, down 22 percent from 1.9 million cartons a year ago. If the forecast holds, it will be the lowest since the USDA began forecasting navels as a separate variety.
Shipments of valencias, of which 97 percent go to the processors, is up 9 percent. Overall Florida citrus volume should rise 3 percent from the 2013-14 season’s 104.8 million cartons to 108 this season. Grapefruit shipments are predicted at 15 million cartons, down 4 percent from 15.7 million cartons last year.
Both white and red grapefruit varieties saw 4 percent declines from the previous season. Total Florida tangerine production is seen being off 3 percent. Total Florida citrus shipments are pegged at 126.7 million cartons, down from last season’s 123.9 million cartons, but considerably lower than the 2009-13 average of 169 million cartons. Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed plants, about 70 percent of its navels, half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Overall, Florida is deader-than-a-door-nail this year. Citrus hasn’t really taken off, and there’s only moderate arrivals of imports at various Florida ports.
Southern and central Georgia vegetable shipments are modest, but ranging from green beans to peppers, cukes and squash.
Georgia vegetables – grossing about $2600 to New York City.
Volatile late summer and early fall weather, that turned into a heat wave hitting triple digits in some areas, will be making otherwise normal California lettuce hauling opportunities more difficult to predict.
This also could very well increase your chances of claims at destination. Abnormally hot weather can lead to seed stem and puffer heads, not to mention tip burn and possibly some mildrew. Just use extra caution with California lettuce shipments the next few weeks.
Shippers already are expecting some shipping gaps with lettuce towards in the end of October. Lettuce loading opportunities also will likely be diminished because the seasonal transition from the Salinas Valley to the Huron District in the San Joaquin Valley may not be very smooth. Due to the extreme drought and the water shortages, there will be less volume coming out of Huron, which normally ships for about three to four weeks, beginning in late October. Once Huron is finished, the season shifts to the Imperial Valley and Yuma District.
Produce truckers will probably about as good luck picking up other vegetables items such as broccoli and cauliflower out of Salinas or Santa Maria, or carrots from the Bakersfield area.
San Joaquin Valley grapes continue to provide as heavy a volume as anything out of California, currently averaging about 800 truckloads per week.
Central San Joaquin Valley grapes – grossing about $7300 to New York City.
Idaho apple shipments will provide the most loading opportunities since 1999, while Texas citrus is cranking up. Meanwhile, bad news from Chile as a killer freeze will take its toll on imports.
Idaho certainly isn’t a Washington state, or even a New York state, or Michigan when it comes to apple shipments, but it does provide moderate loading opportunities. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Idaho has a bumper apple crop this season….Of course, as is often the case, Idaho is shipping plenty of potatoes – and needs more trucks.
What is normally thought of as a potato shipping state, has an estimated 70 million pounds of apples this year, believed to be the largest in 15 years. With harvest winding down, yields have been great and apple quality is reported excellent, while growers are scrambling to find as many bins as possible.
Idaho’s apple harvest generally begins around the first part of September and is mostly wrapped up by the end of October, though some picking extends into November.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $1700 to L.A.; $5700 to New York City.
Texas Citrus Shipments
Harvesting of both grapefruit and oranges out of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas is well underway. Volume has been light thus far, but shipments should increase significantly by the week of November 10th. Good quality is reported and loadings should be available through next April.
Texas citrus – grossing about $2500 to Chicago.
Chilean Fruit Hit by Freeze
Lightning seems to have struck twice in Chile as frosts last week devastated crops in some southern growing regions, with one large producer estimating between 30-100 percent crop loss for fruits including kiwifruit, blueberries, cherries and apples. The freeze occurred October 8-9. We’ll keep you updated since Chile is a primary exporter of fresh produce to the U.S., with produce arriving at ports on both coasts, particularly during the winter months.
7 -Eleven, the world’s largest convenience store chain recently rolled out a test in 104 Los Angeles area to sell a line of what the chain calls “nutritionally balanced” fresh sandwiches, wraps and salads — and even cold-pressed juices — under the banner of fitness guru Tony Horton Kitchen.
Horton is the health and fitness executive whose DVD home workout series P90X has sold more than 4 million copies. More recently, he’s delved into better-for-you foods.
For 7-Eleven, it’s not about getting rid of other stuff in order to sell better-for-you items. It’s about offering both. It still will sell beer and cigarettes and Twinkies and hot dogs, but as Millennials and other core customers demand more better-for-you offerings, the chain is eager to expand its lineup of fresh foods and drinks. Health and wellness, after all, is a $50 billion category in the U.S., and growing.
The new menu includes two sandwiches (including Grilled Chicken with blueberry mustard on a whole-grain sub); two salads (including Spicy Quinoa Salad with Chimichurri dressing); two wraps (including Spicy Black Bean Hummus & Vegetables); and four cold-pressed juices (including one that combines apple, celery, beet, ginger, parsley, spinach and lemon).
7-Eleven sells seven times more bananas than it sells Snickers. If the new product line is a hit, it could be extended throughout Southern California and maybe even go national.
Sesame Street-branded products are in, or are planned for over 40 retailers representing more than 19,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada. It is part of what is known as the Eat Brighter! movement.
A series of updates have been added to the program and marketing to allow produce industry members to incorporate the Sesame Street character images, royalty-free, into their marketing strategies. according to a press release from the Produce Marketing Association.
Five retailers received their own licensing to display Eat Brighter! in-store signage and dozens of other retailers have said they will accept Sesame Street-branded in their stores. More retailers are expected to become licensed in coming weeks .
“We’re delighted by the response from both the supply- and buy-side of the industry,” Cathy Burns, president of PMA, said in the release. “We’ve spoken with each and every one of these companies, and they believe in the movement to help kids eat more fruits and vegetables. They are all industry leaders and recognize that success is defined through the collaboration and support they lend to one another.”
“The goal here is grand, but simple — to change the conversation around fresh produce and inspire kids to think about fruits and veggies in a completely different way,” Todd Putman, chief marketing officer of Bolthouse Farms and chairman of PMA’s marketing taskforce, said in the release. “The U.S. is in a serious health crisis — one third of all kids are obese and our industry has the answer. The Eat Brighter! movement is exactly what we need to help the entire industry come together, change that conversation, and ultimately create healthier generations for decades to come.”
During the winter months when U.S. domestic produce shipments are at their lowest, imports of fruits and vegetables from Southern hemisphere countries, which have opposite seasons from America, provide good loading opportunities at ports and border crossings. Here’s a look at Florida produce ports and South Texas.
South American Mangos
Mangos from Ecuador should be arriving at the South Florida port of Pompano Beach. However, Ecuador, as well as Brazil and Peru are all expected to be down in volume this season as a result of El Niño.
Kiwi Arriving at Port of Miami
Globally, Italy is the second-largest producer of kiwifruit….California production ramped up in early October and will continue through April. Most Italian kiwi imports will be through the Port of Miami.
California and Italy are both Northern Hemisphere producers, and Italian producers expect overall volume will be up approximately 15 percent this season.
Blueberry Imports
Blueberry imports from Argentina are arriving at the Port of Miami. While volume is still very light, it will be increasing soon.
Imports into South Texas
The new Baluarte Bridge in Mexico located between Sinaloa and Durango is changing a lot of things regardomg Lower Rio Grande Valley produce loads in Texas. The bridge, which is 3,000 feet long and soars 1,300 feet above the Baluarte River is resulting in a lot of winter West Mexican produce being shipped through south Texas, especially if the final destination is in the eastern half of the United States. 45 percent of all Mexican exports to the U.S. are now coming through Texas. Based on the past five years of trends, imports of Mexican fruits and vegetables through Texas will grow by an amazing 62 percent.
Mexican produce crossing at McAllen TX – grossing bout $2700 to Chicago; about $4400 to New York City.
Here’s a look at sweet potato shipments from the four leading states, plus potato shipments from Idaho and the Red River Valley.
Sweet Potato Shipments
Overall sweet potato shipments should be up significantly for the 2014-15 season, following an off season this past year.
North Carolina is the big volume state, although loadings are not particularly heavy yet cfor the early part of the season. Eastern North Carolina is only shipping about 250 truck loads per week at this point
In both Louisiana and Mississippi sweet potato volume remains light, but steady.
California sweet potato loadings originate out of the Atwater and Livingston areas. Volume is light, but steady.
North Carolina sweet potatoes – grossing about $2500 to Dallas.
Louisiana sweet potatoes – grossing about $1800 to Chicago.
Red River Valley Potato Shipments
Most spuds have been harvested in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota. Some growers are reporting the best quality they have seen in six years. The valley could ship up to 4.3 million hundredweight this season, which would be up about 8 percent compared to last year. The Red River Valley fresh crop is about 91 percent reds, 9 percent yellows and a few whites. There is a truck shortage.
RRV potatoes – grossing about $3000 to Dallas.
Idaho Potato Shipments
Volume remains pretty steady for Idaho potato shipments at about 1600 truck load equivalents each week. Truck supplies remain in short supply.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $4700 to Atlanta.
Here’s a round of produce loads originating out of the Northeastern United States.
Appalachian Apple Shipments
Pennsylvania apple shipments are above preseason estimates, while New York loadings are less than expected.
Shipments are running about 10-15 percent more than preseason estimates and last year’s numbers as of early October. If the shipments hold true for the rest of the season, Pennsylvania should have record apple shipments.
Other apple shipping states in the Appalachian region include Maryland, Virginia and West Virgina
New York Produce Shipments
As for New York, apple loadings probably will not reach pre-season estimates. Part of that can be traced to a typical decline following a huge year in 2013-14, when New York shipped about 33 million cartons. The other reason is blamed on extreme cold last winter, which caused bud damage.
The onion harvest out of New York’s Orange County is well under way, resulting in increased onion shipments. Over 125 loads per week are now being shipped….Long Island, NY is shipping potatoes in light volume.
However, it is cabbage providing as big a volume as any fresh produce right now. About 160 loads a week are coming from production areas in the Western and Central areas of New York.
New York apples – grossing about $3400 to Orlando.
Maine Potato Shipments
The potato harvest in Aroostock County, ME is wrapping up, and the focus will soon be with shipping spuds to Eastern markets.
By National Mango Board
ORLANDO, Fla. — Research published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolic Insights found that regular consumption of mango by obese adults may lower blood sugar levels and does not negatively impact body weight. These are important findings considering that approximately 34 percent of U.S. adults have been classified as obese and given the health concerns related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome.1,2,3.
“We are excited about these promising findings for mangos, which contain many bioactive compounds, including mangiferin, an antioxidant that may contribute to the beneficial effects of mango on blood glucose. In addition, mangos contain fiber, which can help lower glucose absorption into the blood stream,” said Edralin Lucas, Ph.D., associate professor of nutritional sciences at Oklahoma State University, College of Human Sciences and lead study author. “Our results indicate that daily consumption of 10 grams of freeze-dried mango, which is equivalent to about one-half of a fresh mango (about 100 grams), may help lower blood sugar in obese individuals.”
This pilot study was designed to investigate the effects of mango consumption on anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and body composition in obese adults. Participants completing the 12-week study included 20 adults (11 males and 9 females) ages 20 to 50 years old with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 45 kg/m2. The study subjects were asked to maintain their usual diet, exercise habits, and regimen of regularly prescribed medications.
Each day during the study period, participants consumed 10 grams of freeze-dried mango, and dietary intake was monitored via 3-day food records assessed at baseline and after 6- and 12- weeks of mango supplementation. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and circumference of waist and hip) were measured at baseline and after 6- and 12- weeks of mango supplementation. Body composition and blood analyses of fasting blood triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and plasma insulin concentration were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks of mango supplementation.
The researchers found that after 12 weeks, participants had reduced blood glucose (-4.41 mg/dL, P<0.001), and this glucose lowering effect was seen in both males (-4.5 mg/dL, P=0.018) and females (-3.6 mg/dL, P=0.003). No changes were observed in overall body weight, hip or waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, percent fat mass, and lean mass. However, hip circumference was significantly lower in males (-3.3 cm, P=0.048) but not females. BMI tended to be higher in females (+0.9 kg/m2, P=0.062) but not males after mango supplementation, although these results were not statistically significant. Overall and by gender, there were no significant changes in triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, or blood pressure. The blood sugar findings of this study are in agreement with Lucas’ previous animal research, which was published in the British Journal of Nutrition.4
A nutrient rich fruit, mangos contain over 20 different vitamins and minerals, supporting optimal function of processes throughout the body. Mangos are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A as well as folate. They are also a good source of fiber, copper, and vitamin B6.
About National Mango Board
The National Mango Board is an agriculture promotion group, which is supported by assessments from both domestic and imported mangos. The board was designed to drive awareness and consumption of fresh mangos in the U.S. The superfruit mango contains 100 calories, and is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, a good source of fiber, and an amazing source of tropical flavor.
Mango availability per capita has increased 53 percent since 2005 to an estimated 2.87 pounds per year in 2013. Mango import volume for 2013 was 935 million pounds. Learn more at www.mango.org.
Cargo Data Corp., is promoting temperature recorders approved by Wal-Mart. The recorder has been approved for temperature controlled shipments to all U.S. distribution centers of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in Bentonville, Ark., according to a news release from the Ventura, Calif.-based Cargo Data.
The recorders can be used in produce, meat, poultry, seafood and floral, according to the release. The automated temperature monitoring system saves users time and money and helps reduce risk of hidden shrink, according to the release. Through the express data retrieval system, the recorders store up to 100 shipments of temperature data which can be downloaded to a computer for automatic archiving, according to the release.
The Cargo Data Corporation office is located in Ventura, CA. Its management team has been in place since 1974 and continues to focus on providing industry-leading cold chain monitoring solutions for firms involved in the perishable food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and floral industries.
It goal is to provide innovative cold chain monitoring products that are simple to use.
Cargo Data encourages the recycling of it digital temperature recorders in an effort to keep tons of circuit boards, batteries and other pollutants out of landfills.
Cargo Data markets its products in several channels. If you are a distributor or broker interested in in handling Cargo Data produce, contact the company at: info@cargodatacorp.com
Florida navel shipments will be down significantly this season, while other citrus items should show gains.
Florida citrus shipments will show small declines with navel oranges, grapefruit and tangerines, but valencias loadings are expected to increase, according to the first official USDA forecast.
Growers in Florida expect to ship 1.5 million cartons of navels, down 22 percent from 1.9 million cartons a year ago. If the forecast holds, it will be the lowest since the USDA began forecasting navels as a separate variety.
Shipments of valencias, of which 97 percent go to the processors, is up 9 percent. Overall Florida citrus volume should rise 3 percent from the 2013-14 season’s 104.8 million cartons to 108 this season. Grapefruit shipments are predicted at 15 million cartons, down 4 percent from 15.7 million cartons last year.
Both white and red grapefruit varieties saw 4 percent declines from the previous season. Total Florida tangerine production is seen being off 3 percent. Total Florida citrus shipments are pegged at 126.7 million cartons, down from last season’s 123.9 million cartons, but considerably lower than the 2009-13 average of 169 million cartons. Though a majority of the state’s oranges ship to processed plants, about 70 percent of its navels, half of its grapefruit and two-thirds of its tangerines ship fresh.
Overall, Florida is deader-than-a-door-nail this year. Citrus hasn’t really taken off, and there’s only moderate arrivals of imports at various Florida ports.
Southern and central Georgia vegetable shipments are modest, but ranging from green beans to peppers, cukes and squash.
Georgia vegetables – grossing about $2600 to New York City.
Volatile late summer and early fall weather, that turned into a heat wave hitting triple digits in some areas, will be making otherwise normal California lettuce hauling opportunities more difficult to predict.
This also could very well increase your chances of claims at destination. Abnormally hot weather can lead to seed stem and puffer heads, not to mention tip burn and possibly some mildrew. Just use extra caution with California lettuce shipments the next few weeks.
Shippers already are expecting some shipping gaps with lettuce towards in the end of October. Lettuce loading opportunities also will likely be diminished because the seasonal transition from the Salinas Valley to the Huron District in the San Joaquin Valley may not be very smooth. Due to the extreme drought and the water shortages, there will be less volume coming out of Huron, which normally ships for about three to four weeks, beginning in late October. Once Huron is finished, the season shifts to the Imperial Valley and Yuma District.
Produce truckers will probably about as good luck picking up other vegetables items such as broccoli and cauliflower out of Salinas or Santa Maria, or carrots from the Bakersfield area.
San Joaquin Valley grapes continue to provide as heavy a volume as anything out of California, currently averaging about 800 truckloads per week.
Central San Joaquin Valley grapes – grossing about $7300 to New York City.