Author Archive
Florida vegetable shipments are gearing up, but will it be record loading opportunties? It certainly does not appear likely.
Light volume and later shipments have marked many produce shipments from Florida, but as we progress into spring it is gradually improving.
Following a disappointing winter, grower-shippers are seeing improved supplies as Florida’s vegetable growers transition to the new spring crop. Florida produce shippers are eyeing improved supplies of bell peppers as the Sunshine State transitions to the new spring crop. Unfavorable winter weather has delayed bigger spring volume by a week the first half of March.
However, you can expect a lot more April and May vegetable loadings. This will also be spurred by the fact Mexican vegetable shipments will be finishing earlier than normal due to unusually warm weather. This will increase demand for Florida green beans, cucumbers, bell peppers and cucumbers, which are just starting in very light volume. You can also look for shipments of tomatoes, celery, sweet corn, lettuce, radish, cabbage and watermelon. Good volume will arrive in early to mid-April. However, some shippers predicting their volume will be down as much as 30 to 40 percent on some items.
While Florida spring vegetable loading opportunties will be good, I’m not expecting it to be great this season. Few, if any, bumper crops are seen.
Florida blueberry shipments have recently started and are moving into volume. Peak loading oppportunties will be around the third or fourth week of April.
Florida strawberry shipments from the Plant City area are winding down and should be finished by early April.
Florida produce – grossing about $2800 to Chicago.
While California vegetables and citrus have been struggling this season to get going, California strawberry shipments got off to an early and fast start it looks to continue strong throughout the season. Unlike much of the nation, credit unusually warm weather during the winter on the West Cost, which hastened plant maturity.
We’ll also take a glimpse at Mexican imports through Nogales, AZ.
For the week ending March 1, the California Strawberry Commission reported 11.16 million 9-pound tray equivalents had been shipped fresh so far this year compared to 6.89 million at the same time last year and 9 million in 2012. California produces almost 90 percent of U.S. strawberries. The state’s 400 strawberry farms grow fruit on fewer than 40,000 acres.
California avocado shipments
This year, California avocado shipments should be at its peak from mid- to late April and continue through Labor Day. Volume should be about 300 million pounds. The 300 million pounds is more on par with the 10-year average. Loadings originate from various shippers in Southern California.
Southern California produce shipments – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
Nogales Produce Shipments
While Mexican vegetable shipments through Nogales, AZ are on a seasonal down swing, an exception are watermelons being imported from West Mexico. The spring season has started three weeks earlier than last year. The early time frame is attributed to earlier transplanting, improved growing practices and ideal weather conditions. Watermelon shipments from West Mexico should continue in good volume through June.
Arrivals of Mexican grapes will start crossing the border within the next month.
Mexican produce through Nogales – grossing about $3800 to Chicago.
I’m in Georgia this week checking out the crops and visiting with shippers to give you a better idea of loading opportunities as we progress into spring. I’m also visiting with some of you at truck stops along the Interstate 75 corridor.
Vidalia sweet onion shipments were not to legally start before April 21st (at least until a Georgia court ruled otherwise and struck it down), which was the date set by the state’s ag commissioner. Colder weather has put the onions behind schedule. Don’t expect good volume before May. While some observers are predicting shipments could be off as much as 25 percent this season, others are taking a wait and see attitude to measure yields.
Overall, you probably won’t be getting loaded in the Southeast without having multiple pick ups. That could mean starting with pick ups in Florida and finishing off the load with additional pick ups in Georgia. The volume is just not there.
Meanwhile, there is light to moderate shipments of various greens from central and southern Georgia. Items ranging from vegetables such as cucumbers and squash are still a month or more away from being harvested.
Georgia has become a major shipper of blueberries with volume increasing each year. Intial loadings of “blues” will start in April, with good volume arriving in early May.
Another big item for Georgia are watermelons. While current loadings are occurring in Florida, where the harvest gradually moves northward, and usually ends by early June. This is about the time George watermelon shipments get underway.
Finally, the Georgia peach bloom in the Fort Valley area is beautiful. Shipping should get underway the last half of May. If weather conditions hold over the next month there could be up to 2.2 million boxes of Georgia peaches shipped this season. However, there is a freeze forecast for Tuesday night, March 25th. It will take a bit to assess any damage.
— Bill Martin
A new survey conducted by the Idaho Potato Commission revealed that 97 percent of Americans said they eat potatoes and more than 81 percent enjoy them as a side dish, snack or main course on average of three days per week.
“The Idaho Potato Commission’s marketing programs have one main objective – to increase Idaho potato consumption nationwide,” Frank Muir, president and chief executive officer of the IPC, said in a press release. “We were thrilled with the survey results, which found consumer attitudes toward potatoes shifting. America’s favorite vegetable is now consumed three times a week, up from two times per week in 2009.”
The survey also revealed that more men than women (84 percent vs. 78 percent) eat potatoes once a week, and that Midwesterners are more likely than those in other regions of the country to eat potatoes at least once a week (88 percent vs. 78 percent).
Regarding how consumers eat their potatoes, the survey showed that baked (29 percent) led the way, followed by mashed (25 percent), French fries (17 percent), hash browns (9 percent) and potato chips (5 percent).
Baked potatoes are favored more by those who are age 45 and up than by 18-44 year-olds (36 percent vs. 23 percent). More 18-44 year-olds than those who are 45 and older prefer French fries (21 percent vs. 12 percent).
When survey participants were asked which vegetable they crave most, potatoes were the clear winner. Nearly one quarter (24 percent) of the Americans chose spuds, followed by leafy greens such as lettuce, kale or spinach (20 percent), broccoli (14 percent), tomatoes (13 percent) or corn (11 percent).
Despite the growing “buy local” movement, 72 percent of Americans would eat Idaho potatoes over potatoes from other states, according to the survey.
The Idaho Potato Commission survey was conducted by Kelton between Jan. 7 and Feb. 3 among 1,000 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and over using an email invitation and an online survey.
By Larry Oscar
Today, March 20th, is the first day of spring. This means potential treacherous trucking due to weather.
The long cold winter of 2104 will be sorely remembered and it will be one for the record books for much of the country. The extremely cold temperatures coupled with high winds and a series of relentless cold fronts are nothing. It was Mark Twain who said, “If you don’t like the weather just wait awhile.”
It has been rather humorous to listen to the global warming lemmings droll on about “Climate Change.” With the history of Earth dating back over 4.5 billion years, and our entire sample of weather records only dating back about 100 years, it doesn’t take much in the way of common
When you see cirrus clouds, it usually indicates that a change in the weather will occur within 24 hours.
sense to realize that we are in no position to make any long range weather predictions.
But one thing we can predict is the unpredictable. When spring finally arrives we will be in a changing weather pattern that will go from one of the coldest winters on record to a period of warming. There will likely be a larger temperature change because of the lower winter temperatures, and this will mean a larger temperature difference in the arrival of warm fronts.
Spring storms will probably be more severe this year. There isn’t anything you can do to control the weather, but there is something you can do to be prepared. The first thing to do is to know the signs of potentially severe weather. Cool days with very warm humid fronts moving in are dangerous signs.
When you are trucking in the months from April through June you must observe the weather patterns, forecasts, and cloud formations. Very few things in life are more terrifying than being caught in the middle of severe and violent weather. Whether it is tornadic storms or high, straight winds, and 80,000 pound big rig can be tossed around like a toy.
One of the best ways to stay on top of the weather is to get your kids or grandkids involved in weather forecasting. Fortunately, there is a host of information on the web. The best website for learning the weather is a website developed especially for children. As it turns out this
If you see altocumulus clouds on a warm, sticky morning, be prepared to see thunderstorms late in the afternoon.
website was developed by meteorologist Crystal Wicker for children of all ages, and it is very informative for adults as well. Check it out, and learn a little forecasting. It just may keep and your family safe this spring, whether at home or on the road.
This can be one of the more frustrating times of the year for produce haulers. Even though spring officially arrives tomorrow, good volume for spring produce shipments are still weeks away. Here’s a look at loading opportunties around the country.
Imported Chilean green grape arrivals by boat at U.S. ports will decline in the next week or two as South American green grape volume is estimated to be 25 percent lower than last year by season’s end. On the positive side, the Chilean red crimson grapes are now entering peak arrivals at U.S. ports for the rest of March and early April. Overall, as of early March, Chilean grape exports were 22 percent lower than last year at the same time.
Arrivals of Chilean asian pears to U.S. ports are expected to be off 60 percent this season. The lower volume will continue to arrive through May.
Florida Produce Shipments
In Florida, strawberry shipments from the Plant City area are averaging about 500 truckloads per week. Out of Central and Southern Florida, the state is averaging about 750 truckloads weekly of mature green and roma tomatoes. South Florida also is shipping moderate amounts of items ranging from celery to potatoes.
South Florida produce – grossing about $3000 to New York
Nogales Produce Shipments
Mexican produce shipments through Nogales, AZ continues for items ranging from tomatoes to cucumbers, peppers and watermelons. Overall Mexican volume through Nogales should start declining as we enter April.
Mexican produce crossing through Nogales – grossing about $3600 to Chicago.
In an update from last week’s report, the desert shipping areas for winter vegetables in California and Arizona are pretty much history. Heat in the desert is taking its toll on any leaf lettuce left, and it’s best to avoid hauling that product. The transition to the San Joaquin Valley, Salinas Valley and the Santa Maria district continues and light volume loadings are underway.
In the weeks ahead, produce haulers should see a dramatic improvement for produce loads. Not only is California weather bringing the crops along nicely, but weather around the country is on the mend. That means more consumers getting out more often, buying fresh fruits and veggies, which increases demand for product. It all translates into more produce shipments, and higher freight rates.
Light shipments of broccoli and cauliflower are coming out of Salinas and some oberservers are predicting record volume this spring.
The Central San Joaquin Valley produce shipments are limited with broccoli and cauliflower, while light volume of head lettuce gets underway around March 21st in the Westside district. These loadings out of the Huron area should continue through mid April.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
The forecast for Florida citrus shipments continues its trends showing fewer loading opportunities as the season continues. The March USDA report shows losses in most oranges, grapefruit and tangerine production. However, late season valencia shipments are pegged to remain the same as the February report.
Additionally, there will be more loading opportunities for later season apples than on averge for the past five years, with most of those opportunties being in Washington state.
For March, the USDA estimates the state’s production of all oranges to decline 1%, non-valencia oranges to decrease by 2%, all grapefruit down by 6% and all tangerines to fall by 7%. With grapefruit, both colored and white fruit are each lowered by 500,000 equivalent cartons, lowering production to 16 million cartons, smaller than the 18.8 million cartons the state shipped in 2013.
Since the valencia shipping report is showing no losses from the previous month, it may be a sign of stability as Florida moves into its late season shipping of oranges. Florida is expected to ship 114 million cartons of oranges for the season, down from last year’s 133.6 million cartons. Total Florida citrus shipments are expected to be 134 million cartons, down from 156 million cartons last season. Most of the state’s oranges are sent to the processors.
Florida citrus, vegetables – grossing about $3000 to New York City.
National Apple Shipments
About 61.5 million bushels of fresh market apples remained to be shipped by U.S. producers as of March 1, 3% less than last year at the same time. The total is, however, 6% above the 5-year average of 58.2 million bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association.
Washington state accounted for 53.1 million bushels of the U.S. total still in storage. Michigan had 3.9 million bushels, New York 3.3 million bushels and Pennsylvania 762,000 bushels.
Washington apples from the Yakima Valley – grossing about $6700 to New York City.
by Allen Lund Company
ALC Logistics, the software and logistics division of the Allen Lund Company, introduced a customized Transportation Management Software (TMS) specific for produce.
Built on a platform that has been in place for five years, the TMS produce specific solution is now available to the industry. The software enables companies to have control over their transportation spending and includes customized programming to fit each customer’s needs. Specific to produce, customer’s will have control over: load tendering, dock scheduling, spot pricing, and live load tracking.
The ALC TMS Sales team is headed by Kenny Lund, Vice President, Chetan Tandon, CIO, and providing sales and implementation, Kevin Peterson. “We are very excited to roll out this product, at what, we believe, is the right time to help those that transport produce,” stated Lund. He added: “38 years of experience transporting produce have gone into this software which adds visibility, creates efficiencies, controls costs and eases the challenges of produce transportation. There is nothing like it on the market; it works with your systems and adapts to your business processes to ultimately save you time and money.”
About Allen Lund Company: Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and over 390 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers across the nation to transport dry, refrigerated (specializing in produce), and flatbed freight; additionally, the Allen Lund Company has a logistics and software division, ALC Logistics, and an International Division.
Established in 1976, the Allen Lund Company received the TIA 3PL Samaritan Award for 2011 and was placed in Transport Topics’ “2013 Top 25 Freight Brokerage Firms.” The company managed over 288,000 shipments in 2013. The NASTC (National Association of Small Trucking Companies) named Allen Lund Company the 2010 Best Broker of the Year. More information is available at www.allenlund.com.
Studies are tracking shifting trends in in shopping and spending that is resulting from the rise of a new generation of consumers who embrace different values and lifestyles. These are intersecting with the exploding digital landscape.
As consumers take advantage of ready-to-eat foods and meal solution offerings from grocery stores, quick-serve restaurants, food delivery and take away, shoppers are increasing eating out by actually eating in.
Recently released was the ninth edition of The Why? Behind the Buy, a report by Acosta Sales & Marketing. It found among other things, the concept of “grocerants” — grocery stores acting as restaurants — is on the rise. Contrary to some reports, eating at home is not passé. Rather, it has evolved to meet the needs of busier lifestyles, more sophisticated palates and consumers who have become accustomed to immediate gratification.
Millennials are most likely to use prepared foods for meal solutions, but overall:
- 77% of total U.S. shoppers reported eating out in the past month.
- 66% brought home prepared foods
- 65% bought food at a restaurant drive through
- 64% ordered food from a restaurant for pick-up/carryout
So, who’s still cooking at home? Most people, most of the time.
Beyond grocerants, research shows that technology use for grocery shopping is catching up to other retail shopping as more consumers, across generations, incorporate digital along their path to purchase. Among the top digital tactics are printing coupons online before shopping (30% of shoppers), loading coupons onto shopper cards from a website (26% of shoppers) and viewing a store’s digital circular (26% of shoppers).
Florida vegetable shipments are gearing up, but will it be record loading opportunties? It certainly does not appear likely.
Light volume and later shipments have marked many produce shipments from Florida, but as we progress into spring it is gradually improving.
Following a disappointing winter, grower-shippers are seeing improved supplies as Florida’s vegetable growers transition to the new spring crop. Florida produce shippers are eyeing improved supplies of bell peppers as the Sunshine State transitions to the new spring crop. Unfavorable winter weather has delayed bigger spring volume by a week the first half of March.
However, you can expect a lot more April and May vegetable loadings. This will also be spurred by the fact Mexican vegetable shipments will be finishing earlier than normal due to unusually warm weather. This will increase demand for Florida green beans, cucumbers, bell peppers and cucumbers, which are just starting in very light volume. You can also look for shipments of tomatoes, celery, sweet corn, lettuce, radish, cabbage and watermelon. Good volume will arrive in early to mid-April. However, some shippers predicting their volume will be down as much as 30 to 40 percent on some items.
While Florida spring vegetable loading opportunties will be good, I’m not expecting it to be great this season. Few, if any, bumper crops are seen.
Florida blueberry shipments have recently started and are moving into volume. Peak loading oppportunties will be around the third or fourth week of April.
Florida strawberry shipments from the Plant City area are winding down and should be finished by early April.
Florida produce – grossing about $2800 to Chicago.
While California vegetables and citrus have been struggling this season to get going, California strawberry shipments got off to an early and fast start it looks to continue strong throughout the season. Unlike much of the nation, credit unusually warm weather during the winter on the West Cost, which hastened plant maturity.
We’ll also take a glimpse at Mexican imports through Nogales, AZ.
For the week ending March 1, the California Strawberry Commission reported 11.16 million 9-pound tray equivalents had been shipped fresh so far this year compared to 6.89 million at the same time last year and 9 million in 2012. California produces almost 90 percent of U.S. strawberries. The state’s 400 strawberry farms grow fruit on fewer than 40,000 acres.
California avocado shipments
This year, California avocado shipments should be at its peak from mid- to late April and continue through Labor Day. Volume should be about 300 million pounds. The 300 million pounds is more on par with the 10-year average. Loadings originate from various shippers in Southern California.
Southern California produce shipments – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
Nogales Produce Shipments
While Mexican vegetable shipments through Nogales, AZ are on a seasonal down swing, an exception are watermelons being imported from West Mexico. The spring season has started three weeks earlier than last year. The early time frame is attributed to earlier transplanting, improved growing practices and ideal weather conditions. Watermelon shipments from West Mexico should continue in good volume through June.
Arrivals of Mexican grapes will start crossing the border within the next month.
Mexican produce through Nogales – grossing about $3800 to Chicago.
I’m in Georgia this week checking out the crops and visiting with shippers to give you a better idea of loading opportunities as we progress into spring. I’m also visiting with some of you at truck stops along the Interstate 75 corridor.
Vidalia sweet onion shipments were not to legally start before April 21st (at least until a Georgia court ruled otherwise and struck it down), which was the date set by the state’s ag commissioner. Colder weather has put the onions behind schedule. Don’t expect good volume before May. While some observers are predicting shipments could be off as much as 25 percent this season, others are taking a wait and see attitude to measure yields.
Overall, you probably won’t be getting loaded in the Southeast without having multiple pick ups. That could mean starting with pick ups in Florida and finishing off the load with additional pick ups in Georgia. The volume is just not there.
Meanwhile, there is light to moderate shipments of various greens from central and southern Georgia. Items ranging from vegetables such as cucumbers and squash are still a month or more away from being harvested.
Georgia has become a major shipper of blueberries with volume increasing each year. Intial loadings of “blues” will start in April, with good volume arriving in early May.
Another big item for Georgia are watermelons. While current loadings are occurring in Florida, where the harvest gradually moves northward, and usually ends by early June. This is about the time George watermelon shipments get underway.
Finally, the Georgia peach bloom in the Fort Valley area is beautiful. Shipping should get underway the last half of May. If weather conditions hold over the next month there could be up to 2.2 million boxes of Georgia peaches shipped this season. However, there is a freeze forecast for Tuesday night, March 25th. It will take a bit to assess any damage.
— Bill Martin
A new survey conducted by the Idaho Potato Commission revealed that 97 percent of Americans said they eat potatoes and more than 81 percent enjoy them as a side dish, snack or main course on average of three days per week.
“The Idaho Potato Commission’s marketing programs have one main objective – to increase Idaho potato consumption nationwide,” Frank Muir, president and chief executive officer of the IPC, said in a press release. “We were thrilled with the survey results, which found consumer attitudes toward potatoes shifting. America’s favorite vegetable is now consumed three times a week, up from two times per week in 2009.”
The survey also revealed that more men than women (84 percent vs. 78 percent) eat potatoes once a week, and that Midwesterners are more likely than those in other regions of the country to eat potatoes at least once a week (88 percent vs. 78 percent).
Regarding how consumers eat their potatoes, the survey showed that baked (29 percent) led the way, followed by mashed (25 percent), French fries (17 percent), hash browns (9 percent) and potato chips (5 percent).
Baked potatoes are favored more by those who are age 45 and up than by 18-44 year-olds (36 percent vs. 23 percent). More 18-44 year-olds than those who are 45 and older prefer French fries (21 percent vs. 12 percent).
When survey participants were asked which vegetable they crave most, potatoes were the clear winner. Nearly one quarter (24 percent) of the Americans chose spuds, followed by leafy greens such as lettuce, kale or spinach (20 percent), broccoli (14 percent), tomatoes (13 percent) or corn (11 percent).
Despite the growing “buy local” movement, 72 percent of Americans would eat Idaho potatoes over potatoes from other states, according to the survey.
The Idaho Potato Commission survey was conducted by Kelton between Jan. 7 and Feb. 3 among 1,000 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and over using an email invitation and an online survey.
By Larry Oscar
Today, March 20th, is the first day of spring. This means potential treacherous trucking due to weather.
The long cold winter of 2104 will be sorely remembered and it will be one for the record books for much of the country. The extremely cold temperatures coupled with high winds and a series of relentless cold fronts are nothing. It was Mark Twain who said, “If you don’t like the weather just wait awhile.”
It has been rather humorous to listen to the global warming lemmings droll on about “Climate Change.” With the history of Earth dating back over 4.5 billion years, and our entire sample of weather records only dating back about 100 years, it doesn’t take much in the way of common
When you see cirrus clouds, it usually indicates that a change in the weather will occur within 24 hours.
sense to realize that we are in no position to make any long range weather predictions.
But one thing we can predict is the unpredictable. When spring finally arrives we will be in a changing weather pattern that will go from one of the coldest winters on record to a period of warming. There will likely be a larger temperature change because of the lower winter temperatures, and this will mean a larger temperature difference in the arrival of warm fronts.
Spring storms will probably be more severe this year. There isn’t anything you can do to control the weather, but there is something you can do to be prepared. The first thing to do is to know the signs of potentially severe weather. Cool days with very warm humid fronts moving in are dangerous signs.
When you are trucking in the months from April through June you must observe the weather patterns, forecasts, and cloud formations. Very few things in life are more terrifying than being caught in the middle of severe and violent weather. Whether it is tornadic storms or high, straight winds, and 80,000 pound big rig can be tossed around like a toy.
One of the best ways to stay on top of the weather is to get your kids or grandkids involved in weather forecasting. Fortunately, there is a host of information on the web. The best website for learning the weather is a website developed especially for children. As it turns out this
If you see altocumulus clouds on a warm, sticky morning, be prepared to see thunderstorms late in the afternoon.
website was developed by meteorologist Crystal Wicker for children of all ages, and it is very informative for adults as well. Check it out, and learn a little forecasting. It just may keep and your family safe this spring, whether at home or on the road.
This can be one of the more frustrating times of the year for produce haulers. Even though spring officially arrives tomorrow, good volume for spring produce shipments are still weeks away. Here’s a look at loading opportunties around the country.
Imported Chilean green grape arrivals by boat at U.S. ports will decline in the next week or two as South American green grape volume is estimated to be 25 percent lower than last year by season’s end. On the positive side, the Chilean red crimson grapes are now entering peak arrivals at U.S. ports for the rest of March and early April. Overall, as of early March, Chilean grape exports were 22 percent lower than last year at the same time.
Arrivals of Chilean asian pears to U.S. ports are expected to be off 60 percent this season. The lower volume will continue to arrive through May.
Florida Produce Shipments
In Florida, strawberry shipments from the Plant City area are averaging about 500 truckloads per week. Out of Central and Southern Florida, the state is averaging about 750 truckloads weekly of mature green and roma tomatoes. South Florida also is shipping moderate amounts of items ranging from celery to potatoes.
South Florida produce – grossing about $3000 to New York
Nogales Produce Shipments
Mexican produce shipments through Nogales, AZ continues for items ranging from tomatoes to cucumbers, peppers and watermelons. Overall Mexican volume through Nogales should start declining as we enter April.
Mexican produce crossing through Nogales – grossing about $3600 to Chicago.
In an update from last week’s report, the desert shipping areas for winter vegetables in California and Arizona are pretty much history. Heat in the desert is taking its toll on any leaf lettuce left, and it’s best to avoid hauling that product. The transition to the San Joaquin Valley, Salinas Valley and the Santa Maria district continues and light volume loadings are underway.
In the weeks ahead, produce haulers should see a dramatic improvement for produce loads. Not only is California weather bringing the crops along nicely, but weather around the country is on the mend. That means more consumers getting out more often, buying fresh fruits and veggies, which increases demand for product. It all translates into more produce shipments, and higher freight rates.
Light shipments of broccoli and cauliflower are coming out of Salinas and some oberservers are predicting record volume this spring.
The Central San Joaquin Valley produce shipments are limited with broccoli and cauliflower, while light volume of head lettuce gets underway around March 21st in the Westside district. These loadings out of the Huron area should continue through mid April.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $6600 to New York City.
The forecast for Florida citrus shipments continues its trends showing fewer loading opportunities as the season continues. The March USDA report shows losses in most oranges, grapefruit and tangerine production. However, late season valencia shipments are pegged to remain the same as the February report.
Additionally, there will be more loading opportunities for later season apples than on averge for the past five years, with most of those opportunties being in Washington state.
For March, the USDA estimates the state’s production of all oranges to decline 1%, non-valencia oranges to decrease by 2%, all grapefruit down by 6% and all tangerines to fall by 7%. With grapefruit, both colored and white fruit are each lowered by 500,000 equivalent cartons, lowering production to 16 million cartons, smaller than the 18.8 million cartons the state shipped in 2013.
Since the valencia shipping report is showing no losses from the previous month, it may be a sign of stability as Florida moves into its late season shipping of oranges. Florida is expected to ship 114 million cartons of oranges for the season, down from last year’s 133.6 million cartons. Total Florida citrus shipments are expected to be 134 million cartons, down from 156 million cartons last season. Most of the state’s oranges are sent to the processors.
Florida citrus, vegetables – grossing about $3000 to New York City.
National Apple Shipments
About 61.5 million bushels of fresh market apples remained to be shipped by U.S. producers as of March 1, 3% less than last year at the same time. The total is, however, 6% above the 5-year average of 58.2 million bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association.
Washington state accounted for 53.1 million bushels of the U.S. total still in storage. Michigan had 3.9 million bushels, New York 3.3 million bushels and Pennsylvania 762,000 bushels.
Washington apples from the Yakima Valley – grossing about $6700 to New York City.
by Allen Lund Company
ALC Logistics, the software and logistics division of the Allen Lund Company, introduced a customized Transportation Management Software (TMS) specific for produce.
Built on a platform that has been in place for five years, the TMS produce specific solution is now available to the industry. The software enables companies to have control over their transportation spending and includes customized programming to fit each customer’s needs. Specific to produce, customer’s will have control over: load tendering, dock scheduling, spot pricing, and live load tracking.
The ALC TMS Sales team is headed by Kenny Lund, Vice President, Chetan Tandon, CIO, and providing sales and implementation, Kevin Peterson. “We are very excited to roll out this product, at what, we believe, is the right time to help those that transport produce,” stated Lund. He added: “38 years of experience transporting produce have gone into this software which adds visibility, creates efficiencies, controls costs and eases the challenges of produce transportation. There is nothing like it on the market; it works with your systems and adapts to your business processes to ultimately save you time and money.”
About Allen Lund Company: Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and over 390 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers across the nation to transport dry, refrigerated (specializing in produce), and flatbed freight; additionally, the Allen Lund Company has a logistics and software division, ALC Logistics, and an International Division.
Established in 1976, the Allen Lund Company received the TIA 3PL Samaritan Award for 2011 and was placed in Transport Topics’ “2013 Top 25 Freight Brokerage Firms.” The company managed over 288,000 shipments in 2013. The NASTC (National Association of Small Trucking Companies) named Allen Lund Company the 2010 Best Broker of the Year. More information is available at www.allenlund.com.
Studies are tracking shifting trends in in shopping and spending that is resulting from the rise of a new generation of consumers who embrace different values and lifestyles. These are intersecting with the exploding digital landscape.
As consumers take advantage of ready-to-eat foods and meal solution offerings from grocery stores, quick-serve restaurants, food delivery and take away, shoppers are increasing eating out by actually eating in.
Recently released was the ninth edition of The Why? Behind the Buy, a report by Acosta Sales & Marketing. It found among other things, the concept of “grocerants” — grocery stores acting as restaurants — is on the rise. Contrary to some reports, eating at home is not passé. Rather, it has evolved to meet the needs of busier lifestyles, more sophisticated palates and consumers who have become accustomed to immediate gratification.
Millennials are most likely to use prepared foods for meal solutions, but overall:
- 77% of total U.S. shoppers reported eating out in the past month.
- 66% brought home prepared foods
- 65% bought food at a restaurant drive through
- 64% ordered food from a restaurant for pick-up/carryout
So, who’s still cooking at home? Most people, most of the time.
Beyond grocerants, research shows that technology use for grocery shopping is catching up to other retail shopping as more consumers, across generations, incorporate digital along their path to purchase. Among the top digital tactics are printing coupons online before shopping (30% of shoppers), loading coupons onto shopper cards from a website (26% of shoppers) and viewing a store’s digital circular (26% of shoppers).