Author Archive
By The California Strawberry Commission
WATSONVILLE, Calif. — According to new published research in the Journal of Nutrition, consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods such as strawberries may play an important role in lowering cholesterol and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
To evaluate the effects of strawberries on cardiovascular risk factors, researchers at Oklahoma State University conducted a 12-week study with a group of 60 overweight adults. Participants were randomly selected to consume a high (equivalent to 500 g fresh strawberries) or low (equivalent to 250 g fresh strawberries) daily dose of a beverage made with freeze-dried strawberries, or a control beverage.
The study revealed the high dose strawberry supplements were effective in significantly reducing total and LDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, both the low and high dose supplements were equally effective in decreasing lipid peroxidation compared with the control groups.
“With more than two-thirds of U.S. adults being overweight or obese, and having metabolic abnormalities associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, we are pleased to see the positive effects that strawberries can have on lowering serum cholesterol,” said lead researcher Arpita Basu, Ph.D., RD, associate professor of nutritional sciences, College of Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University.
As the first 12-week study to report the total and LDL cholesterol-lowering effects of a higher amount of strawberries in obese adults, the researchers suggest that a strawberry-supplemented diet may be of clinical significance as a nutritional strategy to help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
About the California Strawberry Commission
The California Strawberry Commission, www.californiastrawberries.com, is a state government agency representing all of California’s strawberry farmers, shippers and processors. With an emphasis on food safety education, commission activities focus on production and nutrition research, trade relations, public policy, marketing and communications. California produces more than 85 percent of all strawberries grown in the United States.
Eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day reduces your risk of death at any point in time by 42 percent compared to eating zero portions, claims a recent study published in the Journalof Epidemiology & Community Health by researchers from the University College London (UCL).
The research revealed the more fruit and vegetables people ate, the less likely they were to die at any age. Eating seven or more portions reduced the specific risks of death by cancer and heart disease by 25 percent and 31 percent respectively. Interestingly, vegetables were found to have a significantly higher health benefit than fruit.
“We all know that eating fruit and vegetables is healthy, but the size of the effect is staggering,” says Dr Oyinlola Oyebode of UCL’s Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, lead author of the study. “The clear message here is that the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die at any age. Vegetables have a larger effect than fruit, but fruit still makes a real difference. If you’re happy to snack on carrots or other vegetables, then that is a great choice but if you fancy something sweeter, a banana or any fruit will also do you good.”
This is the very research to link fruit and vegetable consumption with all causes including cancer and heart disease, across a nationally-representative population, as well as the first to measure health benefits per portion.
Researchers studied from 2201 to 2013 the eating habits of more than 65,000 people, which were said to be representative of the English population. The data was collected as part of the Health Survey for England.
Here’s an outlook for Michgian apple shipments that will start soon with the new season. However, there are still plenty of apple loads remaining for the current season that started late last summer, particularly from Washington, New York, and Michigan.
Michigan apple shipments should be good this spring, despite a harsh winter. Initial loadings are only a few weeks away. However, the jury is still out on other fruit items ranging from blueberries, to cherries, grapes, plums, apricots and peaches, The fate of these items and the amount of damage will depend largely on what Mother Nature has in store the next few weeks.
National Apple Shipments
Concerning the old apple crop, about 48 million bushels of U.S.-grown fresh-market apples had yet to be shipped as of April 1, three less than last year at the same. The April total was, however, eight percent higher than the five-year average. Washington accounted for 41.7 million bushels of the U.S. total, Michigan 2.8 million bushels and New York 2.5 million bushels.
Michigan apples – grossing about $3400 to Dallas.
Washington state apples – grossing about $4000 to Chicago.
Mango Imports
Mango imports in 2013 compared to 2000 have increased a whooping 236 percent from Peru. Peru is now the second largest source for imported mangoes, representing 10 percdent of mango volume. Another big importer is Ecuador, which also has seen a rise in imports to the U.S., with a 160 percent increase from 2000 and 21 percent over last year. Peru has seen the biggest jump, with a 53 percent increase over last year. As of mid-March, 12 million boxes had been shipped. The projection for the year is 10.9 million boxes.
California spring produce shipments are gradually building in volume as we look at Salinas vegetables and some San Joaquin Valley stone fruit. But overall, this spring and summer in California doesn’t appear to be shaping up as any barn burner when it comes to volume and loading opportunities. Between the continuing drought in the state and only moderate volume with many fruits and vegetables, I don’t see produce freight rates setting any records.
Salinas Valley vegetables have had some ups and down in volume recently due to weather, but head lettuce and other items should be significantly increasing as we get closer to May.
Broccoli and cauliflower shipments are expected to fluctuate over the next several weeks.
Meanwhile, Huron lettuce shipments from the Westside district of the San Joaquin Valley have been lighter than normal this season as the one-month spring shipping season comes to a conclusion.
California Cherry Shipments
The California cherry harvest is shaping up to be a light crop this year
California initial loadings should start around Easter in the Arvin district and peak cherry shipments should occur from mid-May into the first week of June, with product becoming available from the San Joaquin Valley further north in areas such Fresno and Reedley.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $7000 to New York City.
Florida spring produce is entering its peak shipping period.
This week south Florida sweet corn shipments hit good volume and peak loadings will continue through Memorial Day. Around the last week of May, Georgia will start taking the spotlight with corn shipments.
Florida sweet corn volume is up dramatically from last year. Plus, this is the largest volume in the past four years.
Green bean loadings from the Belle Glade, FL area will continue strong through Easter, then began a decline before ending the first week of May. This will be followed by Georgia bean shipments getting underway around May 10.
Florida Blueberry Shipments
Florida berry shipments have on going for about a month, and should continue until June. Afterwards, loading opportunities become available in Georgia, followed by North Carolina, New Jersey and the Pacific Northwest, where berries are picked until late September.
Florida blueberry shipments have roughly tripled over the last 10 years, and this year’s crop is likely to reach 25 million pounds before giving away to Georgia blues. Michigan, the nation’s leading blueberry shipper, produced 87 million pounds in 2012. In 2013, Chile exported 174 million pounds of blueberries, most of them to the United States.
Florida produce shipments – grossing about $3400 to New York City.
By American Chemical Society
Jong-Sang Kim and colleagues note that people have used garlic for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Today, people still celebrate its healthful benefits. Eating garlic or taking garlic supplements is touted as a natural way to reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure and heart disease risk. It even may boost the immune system and help fight cancer. But those benefits are for fresh, raw garlic. Sprouted garlic has received much less attention.
When seedlings grow into green plants, they make many new compounds, including those that protect the young plant against pathogens. Kim’s group reasoned that the same thing might be happening when green shoots grow from old heads of garlic. Other studies have shown that sprouted beans and grains have increased antioxidant activity, so the team set out to see if the same is true for garlic.
They found that garlic sprouted for five days had higher antioxidant activity than fresher, younger bulbs, and it had different metabolites, suggesting that it also makes different substances. Extracts from this garlic even protected cells in a laboratory dish from certain types of damage. “Therefore, sprouting may be a useful way to improve the antioxidant potential of garlic,” they conclude.
The authors acknowledge funding from the IPET High Value-Added Food Technology Development Program.
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 161,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
Fresh food is the fastest growing department at the supermarket,despite Americans are facing rising food prices, plus they are eating more sweets, according to Nielsen Perishables Group. With consumers continuing to lose their taste for frozen and canned goods in 2013, fresh food sales grew 5.4 percent from a year earlier, to $134 billion. They now represent about 30 percent of supermarket sales.
Contributing to the growth of fresh foods is the fact grocers are stocking an ever-greater selection fresh fruits and vegetables, says Jonna Parker, director of Nielsen. Another factor: Mass merchants, such as Wal-Mart Stores, and club stores are selling more fresh foods; these retailers are projected to account for one-quarter of fresh-food sales by 2016.
Nielson reports meat and produce make up the majority of fresh food sales, with 39 percent and 32 percent, respectively, followed by deli, baked goods, and seafood. The mix is different for online orders, however, where meat is a smaller share of sales—consumers prefer to see and touch beef, chicken, and pork before purchasing.
Salinas, CA — There’s no doubt that rejections can ruin your whole day, and maybe even your whole season. TransFresh Corporation and its Tectrol Service Network have issued a “Loading and Transportation Checklist” in time for peak berry season in order to help ensure consistent handling and transportation of perishables and to help avoid loads that arrive too hot, too cold or have issues that impact quality, resulting in possible rejections.
Because Tectrol Modified Atmosphere safeguards berry quality, always take extra caution not to snag or tear Tectrol pallet bags during loading or while in-transit – this could compromise the positive benefits of Tectrol. Also be sure to maintain a proper reefer set point temperature for consistency and optimal quality at delivery.
In addition, the experts with TransFresh Tectrol advise:
BEFORE LOADING ALWAYS CHECK:
* The refrigeration system to be certain it’s calibrated and in good repair
* The trailer bulkhead and air chute. They must be in good repair
* The trailer, doors, walls and floor to be sure they are clean and in good repair
* The trailer to make sure its odor and taint free
* To be sure you know the buyer’s loading instructions and products that can be loaded Rick Macleod, TransFresh together (to see Tectrol Mixer and Loading Guide, click on the TransFresh ad, then click on “resources” and then the “Mixer Guide.”)
To be certain the trailer has been pre-cooled prior to loading
* To ensure that product pulp temperatures are confirmed at loading
DURING LOADING ALWAYS CHECK:
** The reefer unit to be sure it’s turned OFF
** The entire load to be sure it’s on pallets, floor racks, a deep “T” or deep duct type floor
** The entire load to be sure it’s at least two inches off flat sidewalls
** To be sure the load does not block, touch or collapse the air chute
** Rear stacks to be sure they’re not against doors
** Bracing materials such as gates, paper or load locks to be certain they do not block air flow under or around the load
** To be sure that wet or iced items are separated from dry items by waterproof material
** To be sure that uneven or unlike pallet units or stacks are well braced
** To be sure that load locks and gates are secure
IMPORTANT IN-TRANSIT DOS and DON’T’S
- Never off-load cold product onto non-refrigerated docks
- Never block air flow under or anywhere else in the load
- Never interrupt refrigeration while in transit
- Never extend loading or unloading times especially at non-refrigerated docks or with doors open
- Never run reefer unit in fuel saver modes during summer months
- Always check reefer performance and product pulp temperature regularly
- Always notify your Buyer/Dispatcher if you have loading or transit problems
Finally:
The trailer will transfer sun and road heat through the insulated trailer walls into the product. The only way to minimize this is to use low reefer set points and maximize reefer air movement around the load. Running refrigeration units in high speed fan mode during the hottest day time periods can significantly reduce product warming potential.
Allen Loggins has been an owner operator all but three years since he began trucking in 1996. Some might consider him old school, whether we’re talking about the 25-year-old Pete he drives, or his refusal to haul cheap freight. Then there is the matter of him keeping his down time to a minium waiting for loads.
We’ll start with the latter.
A resident of Jackson, GA, Allen says he used to run Florida a lot over a 25-year period. That has changed.
“There is a lot of sitting and waiting in Florida. I used to haul a lot of stuff (freight) into Florida ports. But there is simply too much waiting,” he relates. This also applies to hauling Florida produce, especially during the off season.
Instead, Allen now prefers Texas over Florida. He hauls mostly fresh produce out of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Often his destination is the Atlanta State Farmers Market. Sometimes he’ll deliver the fruits and vegetables elsewhere in Georiga or the Carolinas. The return trip to Texas typically involves meat that will be exported to Mexico. It typically is something like processed chicken or balonga he picks up in Selma, AL.
“I like hauling produce,” Allen states. “Some people think you are nuts. But if you haul out of Florida, you are nuts. I would sit there all day then they want you in Atlanta in no time. Florida wears you out hauling produce. Texas is much easier.
The 51-year-old trucker says there are occasions he’ll be stuck a day or two in McAllen, TX waiting for the product from Mexico to cross the border, but that is rather unusual.
Allen owns and operates Southern States Produce, which consists of his 1989 Peterbilt conventional, housing a 425 hp Model B Cat diesel. The truck has a 15-speed tranny and 3:90 rears. He pulls a 53-foot Great Dane trailer cooled by a Thermo King refeer unit.
Allen knows the old Pete well. He drove the truck for the owner until that person retired. A few months ago Allen purchased the truck and once again became an owner operartor.
“I don’t like these new trucks. They have too many electronics and sensors. They are too expensive to repair,” he states.
When it comes to produce hauling, Allen has a few basic principals to follow. He makes sure the product is hauled within in the proper temperature range. He also avoids mixing perishable items that are not compatable. Finally, he checks his reefer unit every couple of hours or so making sure it is doing its job.
Allen had recently delivered a load of Mexican green house grown roma tomatoes to the Del Monte facility in Altanta that he had picked up in South Texas. He then loaded meat products in Alabama for delivery back to Texas. From there he picked up a load of Mexican avocados, again in South Texas, where were delivered to the Atlanta State Farmers Market.
He just had his rig washed at the nearby Patriot Truck Stop, before taking four days off until hitting the road again. Allen typically has the truck washed a couple of times a month, citing the need of making a good impression with the shippers and recievers.
“I don’t want to pull up to the dock with a dirty assed truck. If you don’t have a nice looking truck, they might think you don’t take care about their load,” Allen observes.
Finally, as an owner operator, Allen says he has to gross between $2 and $3 per mile. This way he makes enough to put some cash away for repairs and maintenance.
It make sound old school, but it seems to work for this owner operator.
Most California strawberry shipments are originating out of Southern California, primarily Ventura County and Orange County. Very light volume is coming out of Santa Maria, while initial shipments from the Salinas/Watsonville District could get underway in late April.
Look for the first domestic table grape shipments in the United States to get underway out of the Coachella Valley in early May. However, it will probably be the third week of May before there is good volume.
Stone fruit shipments out of the San Joaquin Valley are on track to start in very light volume in early to mid May.
Meanwhile, Salinas Valley vegetable shipments continue to build in volume led by lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower, with dozens of other items in the mix as well.
Salinas Valley produce – grossing about $7000 to New York City.
Southern California strawberries and citrus – grossing about $4500 to Chicago.
South African Imports
South Africa began exports of citrus to the U.S. 15 years. ago. Imports will once again soon be arriving at American ports.
Exports of oranges from South Africa to the United States hit a new record in 2013, with over 39,000 metric tons. This is a 25 percent increase in quantity compared to 2009 and nearly an 800 percent increase since the program started in 1999.
By The California Strawberry Commission
WATSONVILLE, Calif. — According to new published research in the Journal of Nutrition, consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods such as strawberries may play an important role in lowering cholesterol and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
To evaluate the effects of strawberries on cardiovascular risk factors, researchers at Oklahoma State University conducted a 12-week study with a group of 60 overweight adults. Participants were randomly selected to consume a high (equivalent to 500 g fresh strawberries) or low (equivalent to 250 g fresh strawberries) daily dose of a beverage made with freeze-dried strawberries, or a control beverage.
The study revealed the high dose strawberry supplements were effective in significantly reducing total and LDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, both the low and high dose supplements were equally effective in decreasing lipid peroxidation compared with the control groups.
“With more than two-thirds of U.S. adults being overweight or obese, and having metabolic abnormalities associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, we are pleased to see the positive effects that strawberries can have on lowering serum cholesterol,” said lead researcher Arpita Basu, Ph.D., RD, associate professor of nutritional sciences, College of Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University.
As the first 12-week study to report the total and LDL cholesterol-lowering effects of a higher amount of strawberries in obese adults, the researchers suggest that a strawberry-supplemented diet may be of clinical significance as a nutritional strategy to help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
About the California Strawberry Commission
The California Strawberry Commission, www.californiastrawberries.com, is a state government agency representing all of California’s strawberry farmers, shippers and processors. With an emphasis on food safety education, commission activities focus on production and nutrition research, trade relations, public policy, marketing and communications. California produces more than 85 percent of all strawberries grown in the United States.
Eating seven or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day reduces your risk of death at any point in time by 42 percent compared to eating zero portions, claims a recent study published in the Journalof Epidemiology & Community Health by researchers from the University College London (UCL).
The research revealed the more fruit and vegetables people ate, the less likely they were to die at any age. Eating seven or more portions reduced the specific risks of death by cancer and heart disease by 25 percent and 31 percent respectively. Interestingly, vegetables were found to have a significantly higher health benefit than fruit.
“We all know that eating fruit and vegetables is healthy, but the size of the effect is staggering,” says Dr Oyinlola Oyebode of UCL’s Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, lead author of the study. “The clear message here is that the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die at any age. Vegetables have a larger effect than fruit, but fruit still makes a real difference. If you’re happy to snack on carrots or other vegetables, then that is a great choice but if you fancy something sweeter, a banana or any fruit will also do you good.”
This is the very research to link fruit and vegetable consumption with all causes including cancer and heart disease, across a nationally-representative population, as well as the first to measure health benefits per portion.
Researchers studied from 2201 to 2013 the eating habits of more than 65,000 people, which were said to be representative of the English population. The data was collected as part of the Health Survey for England.
Here’s an outlook for Michgian apple shipments that will start soon with the new season. However, there are still plenty of apple loads remaining for the current season that started late last summer, particularly from Washington, New York, and Michigan.
Michigan apple shipments should be good this spring, despite a harsh winter. Initial loadings are only a few weeks away. However, the jury is still out on other fruit items ranging from blueberries, to cherries, grapes, plums, apricots and peaches, The fate of these items and the amount of damage will depend largely on what Mother Nature has in store the next few weeks.
National Apple Shipments
Concerning the old apple crop, about 48 million bushels of U.S.-grown fresh-market apples had yet to be shipped as of April 1, three less than last year at the same. The April total was, however, eight percent higher than the five-year average. Washington accounted for 41.7 million bushels of the U.S. total, Michigan 2.8 million bushels and New York 2.5 million bushels.
Michigan apples – grossing about $3400 to Dallas.
Washington state apples – grossing about $4000 to Chicago.
Mango Imports
Mango imports in 2013 compared to 2000 have increased a whooping 236 percent from Peru. Peru is now the second largest source for imported mangoes, representing 10 percdent of mango volume. Another big importer is Ecuador, which also has seen a rise in imports to the U.S., with a 160 percent increase from 2000 and 21 percent over last year. Peru has seen the biggest jump, with a 53 percent increase over last year. As of mid-March, 12 million boxes had been shipped. The projection for the year is 10.9 million boxes.
California spring produce shipments are gradually building in volume as we look at Salinas vegetables and some San Joaquin Valley stone fruit. But overall, this spring and summer in California doesn’t appear to be shaping up as any barn burner when it comes to volume and loading opportunities. Between the continuing drought in the state and only moderate volume with many fruits and vegetables, I don’t see produce freight rates setting any records.
Salinas Valley vegetables have had some ups and down in volume recently due to weather, but head lettuce and other items should be significantly increasing as we get closer to May.
Broccoli and cauliflower shipments are expected to fluctuate over the next several weeks.
Meanwhile, Huron lettuce shipments from the Westside district of the San Joaquin Valley have been lighter than normal this season as the one-month spring shipping season comes to a conclusion.
California Cherry Shipments
The California cherry harvest is shaping up to be a light crop this year
California initial loadings should start around Easter in the Arvin district and peak cherry shipments should occur from mid-May into the first week of June, with product becoming available from the San Joaquin Valley further north in areas such Fresno and Reedley.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $7000 to New York City.
Florida spring produce is entering its peak shipping period.
This week south Florida sweet corn shipments hit good volume and peak loadings will continue through Memorial Day. Around the last week of May, Georgia will start taking the spotlight with corn shipments.
Florida sweet corn volume is up dramatically from last year. Plus, this is the largest volume in the past four years.
Green bean loadings from the Belle Glade, FL area will continue strong through Easter, then began a decline before ending the first week of May. This will be followed by Georgia bean shipments getting underway around May 10.
Florida Blueberry Shipments
Florida berry shipments have on going for about a month, and should continue until June. Afterwards, loading opportunities become available in Georgia, followed by North Carolina, New Jersey and the Pacific Northwest, where berries are picked until late September.
Florida blueberry shipments have roughly tripled over the last 10 years, and this year’s crop is likely to reach 25 million pounds before giving away to Georgia blues. Michigan, the nation’s leading blueberry shipper, produced 87 million pounds in 2012. In 2013, Chile exported 174 million pounds of blueberries, most of them to the United States.
Florida produce shipments – grossing about $3400 to New York City.
By American Chemical Society
Jong-Sang Kim and colleagues note that people have used garlic for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Today, people still celebrate its healthful benefits. Eating garlic or taking garlic supplements is touted as a natural way to reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure and heart disease risk. It even may boost the immune system and help fight cancer. But those benefits are for fresh, raw garlic. Sprouted garlic has received much less attention.
When seedlings grow into green plants, they make many new compounds, including those that protect the young plant against pathogens. Kim’s group reasoned that the same thing might be happening when green shoots grow from old heads of garlic. Other studies have shown that sprouted beans and grains have increased antioxidant activity, so the team set out to see if the same is true for garlic.
They found that garlic sprouted for five days had higher antioxidant activity than fresher, younger bulbs, and it had different metabolites, suggesting that it also makes different substances. Extracts from this garlic even protected cells in a laboratory dish from certain types of damage. “Therefore, sprouting may be a useful way to improve the antioxidant potential of garlic,” they conclude.
The authors acknowledge funding from the IPET High Value-Added Food Technology Development Program.
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 161,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
Fresh food is the fastest growing department at the supermarket,despite Americans are facing rising food prices, plus they are eating more sweets, according to Nielsen Perishables Group. With consumers continuing to lose their taste for frozen and canned goods in 2013, fresh food sales grew 5.4 percent from a year earlier, to $134 billion. They now represent about 30 percent of supermarket sales.
Contributing to the growth of fresh foods is the fact grocers are stocking an ever-greater selection fresh fruits and vegetables, says Jonna Parker, director of Nielsen. Another factor: Mass merchants, such as Wal-Mart Stores, and club stores are selling more fresh foods; these retailers are projected to account for one-quarter of fresh-food sales by 2016.
Nielson reports meat and produce make up the majority of fresh food sales, with 39 percent and 32 percent, respectively, followed by deli, baked goods, and seafood. The mix is different for online orders, however, where meat is a smaller share of sales—consumers prefer to see and touch beef, chicken, and pork before purchasing.
Salinas, CA — There’s no doubt that rejections can ruin your whole day, and maybe even your whole season. TransFresh Corporation and its Tectrol Service Network have issued a “Loading and Transportation Checklist” in time for peak berry season in order to help ensure consistent handling and transportation of perishables and to help avoid loads that arrive too hot, too cold or have issues that impact quality, resulting in possible rejections.
Because Tectrol Modified Atmosphere safeguards berry quality, always take extra caution not to snag or tear Tectrol pallet bags during loading or while in-transit – this could compromise the positive benefits of Tectrol. Also be sure to maintain a proper reefer set point temperature for consistency and optimal quality at delivery.
In addition, the experts with TransFresh Tectrol advise:
BEFORE LOADING ALWAYS CHECK:
* The refrigeration system to be certain it’s calibrated and in good repair
* The trailer bulkhead and air chute. They must be in good repair
* The trailer, doors, walls and floor to be sure they are clean and in good repair
* The trailer to make sure its odor and taint free
* To be sure you know the buyer’s loading instructions and products that can be loaded Rick Macleod, TransFresh together (to see Tectrol Mixer and Loading Guide, click on the TransFresh ad, then click on “resources” and then the “Mixer Guide.”)
To be certain the trailer has been pre-cooled prior to loading
* To ensure that product pulp temperatures are confirmed at loading
DURING LOADING ALWAYS CHECK:
** The reefer unit to be sure it’s turned OFF
** The entire load to be sure it’s on pallets, floor racks, a deep “T” or deep duct type floor
** The entire load to be sure it’s at least two inches off flat sidewalls
** To be sure the load does not block, touch or collapse the air chute
** Rear stacks to be sure they’re not against doors
** Bracing materials such as gates, paper or load locks to be certain they do not block air flow under or around the load
** To be sure that wet or iced items are separated from dry items by waterproof material
** To be sure that uneven or unlike pallet units or stacks are well braced
** To be sure that load locks and gates are secure
IMPORTANT IN-TRANSIT DOS and DON’T’S
- Never off-load cold product onto non-refrigerated docks
- Never block air flow under or anywhere else in the load
- Never interrupt refrigeration while in transit
- Never extend loading or unloading times especially at non-refrigerated docks or with doors open
- Never run reefer unit in fuel saver modes during summer months
- Always check reefer performance and product pulp temperature regularly
- Always notify your Buyer/Dispatcher if you have loading or transit problems
Finally:
The trailer will transfer sun and road heat through the insulated trailer walls into the product. The only way to minimize this is to use low reefer set points and maximize reefer air movement around the load. Running refrigeration units in high speed fan mode during the hottest day time periods can significantly reduce product warming potential.
Allen Loggins has been an owner operator all but three years since he began trucking in 1996. Some might consider him old school, whether we’re talking about the 25-year-old Pete he drives, or his refusal to haul cheap freight. Then there is the matter of him keeping his down time to a minium waiting for loads.
We’ll start with the latter.
A resident of Jackson, GA, Allen says he used to run Florida a lot over a 25-year period. That has changed.
“There is a lot of sitting and waiting in Florida. I used to haul a lot of stuff (freight) into Florida ports. But there is simply too much waiting,” he relates. This also applies to hauling Florida produce, especially during the off season.
Instead, Allen now prefers Texas over Florida. He hauls mostly fresh produce out of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Often his destination is the Atlanta State Farmers Market. Sometimes he’ll deliver the fruits and vegetables elsewhere in Georiga or the Carolinas. The return trip to Texas typically involves meat that will be exported to Mexico. It typically is something like processed chicken or balonga he picks up in Selma, AL.
“I like hauling produce,” Allen states. “Some people think you are nuts. But if you haul out of Florida, you are nuts. I would sit there all day then they want you in Atlanta in no time. Florida wears you out hauling produce. Texas is much easier.
The 51-year-old trucker says there are occasions he’ll be stuck a day or two in McAllen, TX waiting for the product from Mexico to cross the border, but that is rather unusual.
Allen owns and operates Southern States Produce, which consists of his 1989 Peterbilt conventional, housing a 425 hp Model B Cat diesel. The truck has a 15-speed tranny and 3:90 rears. He pulls a 53-foot Great Dane trailer cooled by a Thermo King refeer unit.
Allen knows the old Pete well. He drove the truck for the owner until that person retired. A few months ago Allen purchased the truck and once again became an owner operartor.
“I don’t like these new trucks. They have too many electronics and sensors. They are too expensive to repair,” he states.
When it comes to produce hauling, Allen has a few basic principals to follow. He makes sure the product is hauled within in the proper temperature range. He also avoids mixing perishable items that are not compatable. Finally, he checks his reefer unit every couple of hours or so making sure it is doing its job.
Allen had recently delivered a load of Mexican green house grown roma tomatoes to the Del Monte facility in Altanta that he had picked up in South Texas. He then loaded meat products in Alabama for delivery back to Texas. From there he picked up a load of Mexican avocados, again in South Texas, where were delivered to the Atlanta State Farmers Market.
He just had his rig washed at the nearby Patriot Truck Stop, before taking four days off until hitting the road again. Allen typically has the truck washed a couple of times a month, citing the need of making a good impression with the shippers and recievers.
“I don’t want to pull up to the dock with a dirty assed truck. If you don’t have a nice looking truck, they might think you don’t take care about their load,” Allen observes.
Finally, as an owner operator, Allen says he has to gross between $2 and $3 per mile. This way he makes enough to put some cash away for repairs and maintenance.
It make sound old school, but it seems to work for this owner operator.
Most California strawberry shipments are originating out of Southern California, primarily Ventura County and Orange County. Very light volume is coming out of Santa Maria, while initial shipments from the Salinas/Watsonville District could get underway in late April.
Look for the first domestic table grape shipments in the United States to get underway out of the Coachella Valley in early May. However, it will probably be the third week of May before there is good volume.
Stone fruit shipments out of the San Joaquin Valley are on track to start in very light volume in early to mid May.
Meanwhile, Salinas Valley vegetable shipments continue to build in volume led by lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower, with dozens of other items in the mix as well.
Salinas Valley produce – grossing about $7000 to New York City.
Southern California strawberries and citrus – grossing about $4500 to Chicago.
South African Imports
South Africa began exports of citrus to the U.S. 15 years. ago. Imports will once again soon be arriving at American ports.
Exports of oranges from South Africa to the United States hit a new record in 2013, with over 39,000 metric tons. This is a 25 percent increase in quantity compared to 2009 and nearly an 800 percent increase since the program started in 1999.