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Shipment of spring Texas sweet onions have been off the past two years and this year will be similar in at least one respect. Growers slashed acreage by 20 percent this season after poor returns the last two years. A trickling of sweet onion loadings will get underway within days, and finally move into pretty good volume by the week of March 25th.
Shipments original both out the Uvalde/Winter Garden area, as well as the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Decent volume should continue through April.
Mexico continues to ship onions across the border into South Texas, but the on-going violence in the Mexican drug wars had make it more difficult to get accurate information on when and how much volume will be shipped. The violence is so bad that Texans investing in Mexican farming operations are afraid to the travel to Mexico to check on the crops.
Last year one major Mexican onion grower was kidnapped by a Mexican gang and hasn’t been heard from since – even after a ransom was paid. More recently the son of another Mexican farmer was kidnaped, but finally was set free after his family paid a ranson. Really makes on want to truck in Mexico doesn’t it!!
California Avocado Loads
Avocado shipments from Southern Californi are expected to heavier than normal during March and April because of the larger crop this year. Loading opportunties are expect to be good by the middle of March with weekly volumes increasing through spring and into the peak summer months.
Shipments are expected to be helped by such events as March Madness, Easter in late March, plus Cinco de Mao, Mother’s Day and the more traditional American summer holidays of Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Southern California avocado, berries and citrus – grossing about $5600 to New York City.
South Texas and Mexican produce – about $2800 to Chicago.
It’s no secret there’s plenty of USA potatoes available for hauling for the 2012-13 season, if shippers can find enough buyers for the huge crop. However, the huge volume for shipping exists as well in Canada, which is struggling to figure out what to do with all its spuds.
Statistics Canada reports there are about 4.8 million tons of potatoes that have been harvested from 360,899 acres in Canada. The crop is distributed throughout Canada with 37 percent in the Prairie provinces, 39 percent in the Atlantic Canada region, 22 percent in central Canada and 2 percent in British Columbia.
Fresh vs. Processing in Provinces
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Canada’s Potato Report for 2010-11,show potato shipments for fresh, processing and seed vary greatly depending upon the province. In New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, the majority of production goes to the processors. In Quebec and British Columbia the reverse is true, with most of the loads going to retailers, wholeslaers and foodservice buying and selling fresh. Saskatchewan is the only province where the majority of production is slated for the seed sector.
Canada Exports to the USA
Canada exported 1.25 million tons of fresh and processed potatoes to the USA, its most significant potato-export trading partner, for 2010-11. AAFC’s Canada’s Potato Market Intelligence Report 2012 said fresh table potatoes exported to the United States accounted for 433,208 tons. That figure is nearly offset by the fact fresh potatoes shipped from the USA to Canada totaled 425,492 tons. This quantity represents approximately 9 percent of the total of Canadian production of fresh potatoes.
The USA also is Canada’s most significant trading partner for the export of seed potatoes with 55,600 acres of seed potatoes.
This is normally the peak for arrivals of Chilean table grapes by boat at ports on both the east and west coasts led by Philadlephia, Wilimington, NC and Long Beach, CA. Howevever, loading opportunities are down some this year due to a smaller crop, combined with some quality problems, particularly with red grapes.
Arrivals should continue at USA ports until about the middle of April. Total Chilean exports are down by nearly 18 perecent this season, although exports to the USA are not down nearly this much.
Recent weeks have been showing a strong increase in arrivals, mainly in the later varieties, like the red colored crimson grape. However, the quality problems have been more associated with the earlier variety red colored flames. Loading opportunities should remain fairly good throughout the month of March, especially with retail orders remaining strong for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Passover.
About 1,000 truck load equivalents of Chilelan table grapes are arriving a USA ports by boat per week.
Chilean asian pears
Imports of Chilean yellow-skinned pears are now arriving at ports, with brown-skinned asian pear arrivals taking place by mid-March.
Mexican Mangoes
Similar to a lot of Mexican vegetables, Mexican mango arrivals at USA crossings have gotten off to a slower start this season. There’s also arrivals of mangoes by boat at various ports from Central America.
Mexican mango imports will likely break another record in 2013 as observers are predicting a 10-15 percent annual growth. Peak arrivals at border crossings, particularly in south Texas, should be in May.
There also are mangoes arriving by boat from Nicaragua, Gautemala beginning the middle of March.
Boat arrivals of mangoes from Peru should end by mid-March. Peru is expected to ship about 9 million boxes to the USA this season, up from 6 million boxes last year.
Mexican imported mangoes, plus other Mexican items crossing the border into Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas – grossing about $4000 to Philadelphia.
A very mild winter in Florida has Florida vegetables growing faster than normal, which could very well lead to spring truck shipments occurring sooner than usual.
For example, a bumper crop of spring bell peppers, is being forecast and could become available in mid-March, rather than its more normal start date of early April.
The Florida winter has been more like fall weather leading to larger plants and plans for high yields, which should translate into heavy shipments. Spring squash is another example of the benefits of favorable weather. Squash loadings from eastern Palm Beach County started in late February, as well as from southwest Florida near Fort Myers and in central Florida near Ruskin.
While squash supplies and loadings are not exceptionally heavy, this should change with increasing volume around the middle or end of March.
Shipments of strawberries from the Plant City area just west of Tampa continue. There have been some quality problems related to weather, but there’s also reports of some nice fruit being shipped. In other words, there are mixed reports and it probably depends upon which field the berries you are loading came from. Just a word of caution, and check the quality of strawberries waiting for you at the dock.
Central and South Florida veggies and strawberries – grossing about $2200 to Chicago.
Cargo Data Corp. of Ventura CA has a new radio frequency-based temperature monitoring system it claims can save up to 35 minutes of staff time per load for receivers whose perishables arrive with out-of-range temperatures.
The automated temperature monitoring system (ATMS) is designed to operate with many of the company’s digital temperature recorders already in use. It does not require intensive training or the use of smartphones or other expensive equipment, the news release states.
With the ATMS equipment, radio frequency technology captures, displays and archives temperature data within moments of a shipment’s arrival. The data is automatically posted to Cargo Data’s website.
In a recent study, Cargo Data found use of the ATMS system by a major grocery retailer in the eastern U.S. eliminated 35 minutes of staff time for each perishable shipment that arrived with out-of-range temperatures.
The ATMS requires the use of Cargo Data’s “Express” hand-held chart viewing device and the iMAT terminal data collection device.
There is no association between total fruit and vegetable intake and risk of overall breast cancer, but vegetable consumption is associated with a lower risk of estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The intake of fruits and vegetables has been hypothesized to lower breast cancer risk, however the existing evidence is inconclusive. There are many subtypes of breast cancer including ER- and ER positive (ER+) tumors and each may have distinct etiologies. Since ER- tumors, which have lower survival rates and are less dependent on estrogen levels than ER+ tumors, account for only 15-20% of breast cancers, large pooled analyses are needed to determine the suspected link to lower ER- breast cancer risk and the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
In order to determine if there is a link between the lowered risk of ER- breast cancers and the intake of fruits and vegetables, Seungyoun Jung, Sc.D., formerly from the Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, and currently at the Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and colleagues analyzed data from 20 cohort studies of women who were followed for a maximum of 11-20 years. They investigated the association of high compared to low intake of fruit and vegetables and risk of developing breast cancer in each study and then combined the study-specific estimates to generate summary estimates for all studies combined.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Journal of the National Cancer Institute
LOS ANGELES — American Heart Month is here, and there’s one more reason to love pistachios. This spring, Wonderful Pistachios Lightly Salted and No Salt packages will proudly carry the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark, a trusted label for shoppers who are navigating the grocery store looking for heart-healthy products. Both varieties completed the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check certification process, and the accompanying Heart-Check mark debuting on packages this spring will remind consumers that in-shell pistachios are a great fit for healthy eating plans.Since 1995, the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart-Check mark has guided consumers to heart-healthy choices as a good first step in creating an overall sensible eating plan, and today, it stands as one of the most trusted and the most recognized health symbols. The Heart-Check mark is a valuable tool in today’s grocery stores, especially since most Americans consume more than 3000mg sodium per day – twice the 1500mg/day recommended by AHA.1In late 2011, the AHA Heart-Check program expanded to include even more heart-healthy foods, namely fish and nuts. “This is big news,” said Maggie Moon , MS, RD, Senior Nutrition Communications Manager for Paramount Farms. “Having nuts officially included in AHA’s Heart-Check program means it’ll be that much easier for people to find heart-smart snacks.” Ms. Moon added, “This is especially relevant today because Americans are snacking more than ever, often using snacks as a way to boost the overall nutrition they get for the day.””Almost 90 percent of the fat found in pistachio kernels is the healthy unsaturated kind, such as mono- and polyunsaturated fats, the good types that may play a role in cardiovascular wellness,” said Gary Foster , PhD, Director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University. “Compare in-shell pistachios to other popular snack foods like packaged cookies or nachos, which can be high in both saturated and trans fats, and the choice for healthy snacking is clear.”The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized a health claim related to nuts that states “scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pistachios, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. See nutrition information for fat content.”2In addition to heart-health support, there is a lot to love about Wonderful Pistachios. Pistachios deliver a bevy of nutrients, and a one-ounce serving (about 49 kernels) of Wonderful Pistachios Lightly Salted provides 160 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, 310 milligrams of potassium and only 80 milligrams of sodium—that’s just 3% of the Daily Value for sodium. That’s half the sodium found in the regular Roasted and Salted variety, which is still just 160 milligrams of sodium, or 7% of the Daily Value. Wonderful Pistachios No Salt offers the same package of nutrients except with no salt. So now fans of Wonderful Pistachios can now enjoy a sodium-free version of our pistachios, roasted to perfection with no additives.Wonderful Pistachio Lightly Salted and Wonderful Pistachios No Salt are available in eight and 16-ounce bags with an estimated retail price of $4.99 and $7.99. Both products can be found in major grocery stores nationwide.Please stay tuned for the American Heart Association Heart-Check also appearing on Wonderful Almonds this spring.About Wonderful® Pistachios The Wonderful Pistachios brand features upscale, premium packaging and a bold contemporary look, appealing to a sophisticated, health-conscious consumer. Wonderful Pistachios are grown in the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural heartland of California. Grown, processed and packaged by Paramount Farms, Wonderful Pistachios are available at retail outlets and grocery stores nationwide and are available in a variety of sizes. For more information about Wonderful Pistachios or the “Get Crackin'” campaign, visit www.getcrackin.com, www.facebook.com/wonderfulpistachios and www.twitter.com/getcrackin.About Paramount Farms Paramount Farms is the world’s largest grower and processor of almonds and pistachios, with more than 80,000 acres of prime pistachio and almond orchards. Paramount Farms is part of the Paramount Agricultural Companies, a group of privately-owned, affiliated companies which comprise the largest farming operation of tree crops in the world.1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs : Food categories contributing the most to sodium consumption – United States, 2007-2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Vol. 61(2/07/2012).2 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2003). Qualified Health Claims About Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Retrieved 5 November 2012. http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/LabelClaims/QualifiedHealthClaims/ucm073992.htm#nuts
Source: Wonderful Pistachios
Over 50 percent of the fresh fruits and vegetables imported into the United States come through Nogales, AZ, making it the nation’s second busiest port of entry.
Weather conditions in Mexico, including a freeze in January pushed back many items crossing the border, with the exeption being tomatoes. Otherwise, many vegetables normally shipped all over North American by truck from Nogales have become available later than normal. Among the most affected veggies have been various types of squash, green beans and sweet corn.
However, this is about to change. Loading opportunities at warehouses on the USA side of the border should start increasing significantly with the arrival of March. This could result in volume shipments continuing later because of the later starts of harvest. But again, it will depend a lot on weather.
Mexican tomato shipments have been virtually uninterrupted this winter because they are grown in a different region of Mexico than were the freeze occurred. Tomato loadings have been going well since mid December and have been going full bore for the past two to three weeks.
It’s too early to get a handle on table grape shipments that usually get underway in late April or early May, but there is good reason to believe grapes will once again provide heavy shipments.
Watermelons out of Mexico have had light volume, but will show a big increase in shipments as we head into spring.
Mexician produce at Nogales – grossing about $5200 to New York Cithy.
Over the years there have been an number of attempts to pass federal legislation allowing heavier trucks on interstate highways. These have been supported primarily by groups representing shipper interests, although the American Trucking Associations (representing large carriers) has long backed this type of legistion. Below is an article form Inside, an online publication of the United Fresh Produce Association, which represents many, if not most of the medium to large produce shippers across the country. United supports a bill for heavier trucks recently introduced in Congress.
Most owner operators and small fleet owners over the years have opposed such legislation. The first question usually asked is, “Will shippers be willing to pay the truck more for hauling a heavier load, or will they expect to pay the same rate? Heavier loads also mean added wear and tear on equipment.
Below is the press release sent out by United.
*****************************
United Fresh applauded the February 12 introduction of legislation that would give states the authority to increase weight limits for certain trucks on federal interstates. The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (SETA), co-sponsored by Representatives Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Mike Michaud (D-ME), would allow for trucks fitted with a sixth axle to haul up to 97,000 pounds on federal interstates. The current limit of 80,000 pounds on a vehicle with five axles has been in place since 1982 and puts US growers at a disadvantage with competitors in Mexico and Canada. The increase in weight allowance is expected to result in fewer loads, leading to economic efficiencies and a smaller environmental impact.
“The fresh fruit and vegetable industry stands to gain significant efficiencies along the supply chain from this legislation,” said Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy. “Numerous studies have shown that the increase in weight allowed for these trucks does not compromise safety on the roads, and will allow the industry to provide more fruits and vegetables to consumers across the country and world, resulting in affordable nutrition and a healthier population.”
A letter of support was sent to Representatives Ribble and Michaud this week. United and nearly 50 national and state organizations also signed the letter, which can be read here.
For more information, please contact Robert Guenther, United’s senior vice president of public policy at 202-303-3400.
Unless you are hauling a produce item coming out of storage in the West, it can be pretty risky business this time of the year. Apples, potatoes and onions tend to be your best bet. Row crop vegetables, such as many that are coming out of the California and Arizona deserts are much less preditable and seem to become more so with each passing winter storm.
Case in point is the latest winter weather that marched through California, Arizona and eastward Feb. 18 -22. Only minor damage is reported such as lettuce with some blisters on it.
Supplies have been on a roller coaster ride throughout the winter vegetable season and will continue on the unpredictable course through the end of March. Expect light or moderate shipments of many veggies during the next month ranging from the leafy items to broccoli, cauliflower and green onions.
Shipments will be especially light over the next couple of months and possibly even lighter in April.
The California and Arizona deserts provide the most shipments for vegetables through March. Shipments of some plants such as broccoli and cauliflower, will have shifted to the Salinas Valley by April.
The Huron district in California’s San Joaquin Valley is a major shipping point for Iceberg and Romaine lettuce in April, usually occurring as the change from the desert to Salinas and the Santa Maria area takes place. Those coastal districts normally hit stride with shipments in May.
While loadings of many vegetable items should start picking up in April, some shippers see few if any celery being loaded.
Desert Vegetables – grossing about $4200 to Atlanta.
Shipment of spring Texas sweet onions have been off the past two years and this year will be similar in at least one respect. Growers slashed acreage by 20 percent this season after poor returns the last two years. A trickling of sweet onion loadings will get underway within days, and finally move into pretty good volume by the week of March 25th.
Shipments original both out the Uvalde/Winter Garden area, as well as the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Decent volume should continue through April.
Mexico continues to ship onions across the border into South Texas, but the on-going violence in the Mexican drug wars had make it more difficult to get accurate information on when and how much volume will be shipped. The violence is so bad that Texans investing in Mexican farming operations are afraid to the travel to Mexico to check on the crops.
Last year one major Mexican onion grower was kidnapped by a Mexican gang and hasn’t been heard from since – even after a ransom was paid. More recently the son of another Mexican farmer was kidnaped, but finally was set free after his family paid a ranson. Really makes on want to truck in Mexico doesn’t it!!
California Avocado Loads
Avocado shipments from Southern Californi are expected to heavier than normal during March and April because of the larger crop this year. Loading opportunties are expect to be good by the middle of March with weekly volumes increasing through spring and into the peak summer months.
Shipments are expected to be helped by such events as March Madness, Easter in late March, plus Cinco de Mao, Mother’s Day and the more traditional American summer holidays of Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Southern California avocado, berries and citrus – grossing about $5600 to New York City.
South Texas and Mexican produce – about $2800 to Chicago.
It’s no secret there’s plenty of USA potatoes available for hauling for the 2012-13 season, if shippers can find enough buyers for the huge crop. However, the huge volume for shipping exists as well in Canada, which is struggling to figure out what to do with all its spuds.
Statistics Canada reports there are about 4.8 million tons of potatoes that have been harvested from 360,899 acres in Canada. The crop is distributed throughout Canada with 37 percent in the Prairie provinces, 39 percent in the Atlantic Canada region, 22 percent in central Canada and 2 percent in British Columbia.
Fresh vs. Processing in Provinces
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Canada’s Potato Report for 2010-11,show potato shipments for fresh, processing and seed vary greatly depending upon the province. In New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, the majority of production goes to the processors. In Quebec and British Columbia the reverse is true, with most of the loads going to retailers, wholeslaers and foodservice buying and selling fresh. Saskatchewan is the only province where the majority of production is slated for the seed sector.
Canada Exports to the USA
Canada exported 1.25 million tons of fresh and processed potatoes to the USA, its most significant potato-export trading partner, for 2010-11. AAFC’s Canada’s Potato Market Intelligence Report 2012 said fresh table potatoes exported to the United States accounted for 433,208 tons. That figure is nearly offset by the fact fresh potatoes shipped from the USA to Canada totaled 425,492 tons. This quantity represents approximately 9 percent of the total of Canadian production of fresh potatoes.
The USA also is Canada’s most significant trading partner for the export of seed potatoes with 55,600 acres of seed potatoes.
This is normally the peak for arrivals of Chilean table grapes by boat at ports on both the east and west coasts led by Philadlephia, Wilimington, NC and Long Beach, CA. Howevever, loading opportunities are down some this year due to a smaller crop, combined with some quality problems, particularly with red grapes.
Arrivals should continue at USA ports until about the middle of April. Total Chilean exports are down by nearly 18 perecent this season, although exports to the USA are not down nearly this much.
Recent weeks have been showing a strong increase in arrivals, mainly in the later varieties, like the red colored crimson grape. However, the quality problems have been more associated with the earlier variety red colored flames. Loading opportunities should remain fairly good throughout the month of March, especially with retail orders remaining strong for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Passover.
About 1,000 truck load equivalents of Chilelan table grapes are arriving a USA ports by boat per week.
Chilean asian pears
Imports of Chilean yellow-skinned pears are now arriving at ports, with brown-skinned asian pear arrivals taking place by mid-March.
Mexican Mangoes
Similar to a lot of Mexican vegetables, Mexican mango arrivals at USA crossings have gotten off to a slower start this season. There’s also arrivals of mangoes by boat at various ports from Central America.
Mexican mango imports will likely break another record in 2013 as observers are predicting a 10-15 percent annual growth. Peak arrivals at border crossings, particularly in south Texas, should be in May.
There also are mangoes arriving by boat from Nicaragua, Gautemala beginning the middle of March.
Boat arrivals of mangoes from Peru should end by mid-March. Peru is expected to ship about 9 million boxes to the USA this season, up from 6 million boxes last year.
Mexican imported mangoes, plus other Mexican items crossing the border into Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas – grossing about $4000 to Philadelphia.
A very mild winter in Florida has Florida vegetables growing faster than normal, which could very well lead to spring truck shipments occurring sooner than usual.
For example, a bumper crop of spring bell peppers, is being forecast and could become available in mid-March, rather than its more normal start date of early April.
The Florida winter has been more like fall weather leading to larger plants and plans for high yields, which should translate into heavy shipments. Spring squash is another example of the benefits of favorable weather. Squash loadings from eastern Palm Beach County started in late February, as well as from southwest Florida near Fort Myers and in central Florida near Ruskin.
While squash supplies and loadings are not exceptionally heavy, this should change with increasing volume around the middle or end of March.
Shipments of strawberries from the Plant City area just west of Tampa continue. There have been some quality problems related to weather, but there’s also reports of some nice fruit being shipped. In other words, there are mixed reports and it probably depends upon which field the berries you are loading came from. Just a word of caution, and check the quality of strawberries waiting for you at the dock.
Central and South Florida veggies and strawberries – grossing about $2200 to Chicago.
Cargo Data Corp. of Ventura CA has a new radio frequency-based temperature monitoring system it claims can save up to 35 minutes of staff time per load for receivers whose perishables arrive with out-of-range temperatures.
The automated temperature monitoring system (ATMS) is designed to operate with many of the company’s digital temperature recorders already in use. It does not require intensive training or the use of smartphones or other expensive equipment, the news release states.
With the ATMS equipment, radio frequency technology captures, displays and archives temperature data within moments of a shipment’s arrival. The data is automatically posted to Cargo Data’s website.
In a recent study, Cargo Data found use of the ATMS system by a major grocery retailer in the eastern U.S. eliminated 35 minutes of staff time for each perishable shipment that arrived with out-of-range temperatures.
The ATMS requires the use of Cargo Data’s “Express” hand-held chart viewing device and the iMAT terminal data collection device.
There is no association between total fruit and vegetable intake and risk of overall breast cancer, but vegetable consumption is associated with a lower risk of estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer, according to a study published recently in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The intake of fruits and vegetables has been hypothesized to lower breast cancer risk, however the existing evidence is inconclusive. There are many subtypes of breast cancer including ER- and ER positive (ER+) tumors and each may have distinct etiologies. Since ER- tumors, which have lower survival rates and are less dependent on estrogen levels than ER+ tumors, account for only 15-20% of breast cancers, large pooled analyses are needed to determine the suspected link to lower ER- breast cancer risk and the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
In order to determine if there is a link between the lowered risk of ER- breast cancers and the intake of fruits and vegetables, Seungyoun Jung, Sc.D., formerly from the Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, and currently at the Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and colleagues analyzed data from 20 cohort studies of women who were followed for a maximum of 11-20 years. They investigated the association of high compared to low intake of fruit and vegetables and risk of developing breast cancer in each study and then combined the study-specific estimates to generate summary estimates for all studies combined.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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LOS ANGELES — American Heart Month is here, and there’s one more reason to love pistachios. This spring, Wonderful Pistachios Lightly Salted and No Salt packages will proudly carry the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark, a trusted label for shoppers who are navigating the grocery store looking for heart-healthy products. Both varieties completed the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check certification process, and the accompanying Heart-Check mark debuting on packages this spring will remind consumers that in-shell pistachios are a great fit for healthy eating plans.Since 1995, the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart-Check mark has guided consumers to heart-healthy choices as a good first step in creating an overall sensible eating plan, and today, it stands as one of the most trusted and the most recognized health symbols. The Heart-Check mark is a valuable tool in today’s grocery stores, especially since most Americans consume more than 3000mg sodium per day – twice the 1500mg/day recommended by AHA.1In late 2011, the AHA Heart-Check program expanded to include even more heart-healthy foods, namely fish and nuts. “This is big news,” said Maggie Moon , MS, RD, Senior Nutrition Communications Manager for Paramount Farms. “Having nuts officially included in AHA’s Heart-Check program means it’ll be that much easier for people to find heart-smart snacks.” Ms. Moon added, “This is especially relevant today because Americans are snacking more than ever, often using snacks as a way to boost the overall nutrition they get for the day.””Almost 90 percent of the fat found in pistachio kernels is the healthy unsaturated kind, such as mono- and polyunsaturated fats, the good types that may play a role in cardiovascular wellness,” said Gary Foster , PhD, Director of the Center for Obesity Research and Education at Temple University. “Compare in-shell pistachios to other popular snack foods like packaged cookies or nachos, which can be high in both saturated and trans fats, and the choice for healthy snacking is clear.”The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized a health claim related to nuts that states “scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pistachios, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. See nutrition information for fat content.”2In addition to heart-health support, there is a lot to love about Wonderful Pistachios. Pistachios deliver a bevy of nutrients, and a one-ounce serving (about 49 kernels) of Wonderful Pistachios Lightly Salted provides 160 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, 310 milligrams of potassium and only 80 milligrams of sodium—that’s just 3% of the Daily Value for sodium. That’s half the sodium found in the regular Roasted and Salted variety, which is still just 160 milligrams of sodium, or 7% of the Daily Value. Wonderful Pistachios No Salt offers the same package of nutrients except with no salt. So now fans of Wonderful Pistachios can now enjoy a sodium-free version of our pistachios, roasted to perfection with no additives.Wonderful Pistachio Lightly Salted and Wonderful Pistachios No Salt are available in eight and 16-ounce bags with an estimated retail price of $4.99 and $7.99. Both products can be found in major grocery stores nationwide.Please stay tuned for the American Heart Association Heart-Check also appearing on Wonderful Almonds this spring.About Wonderful® Pistachios The Wonderful Pistachios brand features upscale, premium packaging and a bold contemporary look, appealing to a sophisticated, health-conscious consumer. Wonderful Pistachios are grown in the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural heartland of California. Grown, processed and packaged by Paramount Farms, Wonderful Pistachios are available at retail outlets and grocery stores nationwide and are available in a variety of sizes. For more information about Wonderful Pistachios or the “Get Crackin'” campaign, visit www.getcrackin.com, www.facebook.com/wonderfulpistachios and www.twitter.com/getcrackin.About Paramount Farms Paramount Farms is the world’s largest grower and processor of almonds and pistachios, with more than 80,000 acres of prime pistachio and almond orchards. Paramount Farms is part of the Paramount Agricultural Companies, a group of privately-owned, affiliated companies which comprise the largest farming operation of tree crops in the world.1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vital Signs : Food categories contributing the most to sodium consumption – United States, 2007-2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Vol. 61(2/07/2012).2 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2003). Qualified Health Claims About Cardiovascular Disease Risk. Retrieved 5 November 2012. http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/LabelClaims/QualifiedHealthClaims/ucm073992.htm#nuts
Source: Wonderful Pistachios |
Over 50 percent of the fresh fruits and vegetables imported into the United States come through Nogales, AZ, making it the nation’s second busiest port of entry.
Weather conditions in Mexico, including a freeze in January pushed back many items crossing the border, with the exeption being tomatoes. Otherwise, many vegetables normally shipped all over North American by truck from Nogales have become available later than normal. Among the most affected veggies have been various types of squash, green beans and sweet corn.
However, this is about to change. Loading opportunities at warehouses on the USA side of the border should start increasing significantly with the arrival of March. This could result in volume shipments continuing later because of the later starts of harvest. But again, it will depend a lot on weather.
Mexican tomato shipments have been virtually uninterrupted this winter because they are grown in a different region of Mexico than were the freeze occurred. Tomato loadings have been going well since mid December and have been going full bore for the past two to three weeks.
It’s too early to get a handle on table grape shipments that usually get underway in late April or early May, but there is good reason to believe grapes will once again provide heavy shipments.
Watermelons out of Mexico have had light volume, but will show a big increase in shipments as we head into spring.
Mexician produce at Nogales – grossing about $5200 to New York Cithy.
Over the years there have been an number of attempts to pass federal legislation allowing heavier trucks on interstate highways. These have been supported primarily by groups representing shipper interests, although the American Trucking Associations (representing large carriers) has long backed this type of legistion. Below is an article form Inside, an online publication of the United Fresh Produce Association, which represents many, if not most of the medium to large produce shippers across the country. United supports a bill for heavier trucks recently introduced in Congress.
Most owner operators and small fleet owners over the years have opposed such legislation. The first question usually asked is, “Will shippers be willing to pay the truck more for hauling a heavier load, or will they expect to pay the same rate? Heavier loads also mean added wear and tear on equipment.
Below is the press release sent out by United.
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United Fresh applauded the February 12 introduction of legislation that would give states the authority to increase weight limits for certain trucks on federal interstates. The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (SETA), co-sponsored by Representatives Reid Ribble (R-WI) and Mike Michaud (D-ME), would allow for trucks fitted with a sixth axle to haul up to 97,000 pounds on federal interstates. The current limit of 80,000 pounds on a vehicle with five axles has been in place since 1982 and puts US growers at a disadvantage with competitors in Mexico and Canada. The increase in weight allowance is expected to result in fewer loads, leading to economic efficiencies and a smaller environmental impact.
“The fresh fruit and vegetable industry stands to gain significant efficiencies along the supply chain from this legislation,” said Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy. “Numerous studies have shown that the increase in weight allowed for these trucks does not compromise safety on the roads, and will allow the industry to provide more fruits and vegetables to consumers across the country and world, resulting in affordable nutrition and a healthier population.”
A letter of support was sent to Representatives Ribble and Michaud this week. United and nearly 50 national and state organizations also signed the letter, which can be read here.
For more information, please contact Robert Guenther, United’s senior vice president of public policy at 202-303-3400.
Unless you are hauling a produce item coming out of storage in the West, it can be pretty risky business this time of the year. Apples, potatoes and onions tend to be your best bet. Row crop vegetables, such as many that are coming out of the California and Arizona deserts are much less preditable and seem to become more so with each passing winter storm.
Case in point is the latest winter weather that marched through California, Arizona and eastward Feb. 18 -22. Only minor damage is reported such as lettuce with some blisters on it.
Supplies have been on a roller coaster ride throughout the winter vegetable season and will continue on the unpredictable course through the end of March. Expect light or moderate shipments of many veggies during the next month ranging from the leafy items to broccoli, cauliflower and green onions.
Shipments will be especially light over the next couple of months and possibly even lighter in April.
The California and Arizona deserts provide the most shipments for vegetables through March. Shipments of some plants such as broccoli and cauliflower, will have shifted to the Salinas Valley by April.
The Huron district in California’s San Joaquin Valley is a major shipping point for Iceberg and Romaine lettuce in April, usually occurring as the change from the desert to Salinas and the Santa Maria area takes place. Those coastal districts normally hit stride with shipments in May.
While loadings of many vegetable items should start picking up in April, some shippers see few if any celery being loaded.
Desert Vegetables – grossing about $4200 to Atlanta.