A potato packing facility that had just closed last spring has been purchased and re-opened as a new growing-packing-shipping operation in Washington state’s Skagit Valley.
Three veteran potato growers in the Skagit Valley got together last spring and bought Sterling Hill LLC, Burlington, Wash. It has recently started shipping its first potatoes.
Leading the new enterprise are brothers Jim and Norm Nelson Jr. and Tony Wisdom. The Nelsons had run Sterling Hill Potatoes, a growing operation, for 12 years after having been growers with their father, Norm Sr., at Norm Nelson Inc., in Burlington.
Wisdom had managed Country Cousins Inc., a growing arm of Valley Pride Sales Inc. of Mount Vernon, Wash., for 10 years.
The three started the new company March 1, when Mark, Kent and Tim Knutzen closed Puget Sound Potato and sold them the company’s packing and equipment storage facilities and its 40-acre site for an undisclosed sum, Wisdom said Aug. 28.
Country Cousins had been packing the Nelsons’ potatoes before this year, so it was an easy transition, Wisdom said.
Sterling Hill LLC, which employs about 30 workers, grows, packs and ships red, yellow and white potatoes, plus specialty varieties at customer request.
Skagit Valley potatoes typically ship from late August through early June.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service’s August consumer price index (CPI) report forecast a low supermarket food inflation rate of 1.5% to 2.5% for 2013, and a slightly higher rate of 2.5% to 3.5% for 2014.
These rates are consistent with USDA’s July report forecast, when the agency dropped its 2013 inflation estimates.
“Most commodity prices other than those affected by the drought have seen moderate inflation or even deflation,” Richard Volpe, USDA research economist, told SN by email.
Fuel price inflation has been low, and the dollar has been strengthening, which has weakened imports for many foods. These are all factors that have contributed to our forecast revision.”
Overall food inflation that includes restaurant prices is expected to range between 1.5% to 2.5% for 2013, which is lower than the historical average of 2.8% for the past 20 years, according to USDA.
For example, the overall food inflation in 2012 was 2.6%, while the rate was 3.7% in 2011.
“In general, the impact of the 2012 drought on food prices has been smaller than expected,” Volpe said.
“For most of this year and last, the PPI [Producer Price Index] for finished and intermediate foods has grown faster than the food at home CPI, suggesting that margins have shrunk and that retailers have been slow to pass on higher commodity costs to consumers,” said Volpe.
Even though the USDA expects inflation for the rest of 2013 to increase at a faster rate than earlier in 2013, this annual rate is not expected to climb higher than 2.5%, according to Volpe. The expected increase in month-over-month inflation is contributing to the 2014 forecast, as well as the USDA leaving room for poor weather.
Compared to July 2012, eggs and produce have had the highest rates of interest so far this year, with egg inflation up 6.8%, fresh fruits up 2.5% and fresh vegetables up 3.6%.
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Today, more than half of the wholesalers and other businesses on the Hunts Point Terminal Market will meet at a community Chamber of Commerce to air their grievences over the tactics of the Business Integrity Commission, an obscure New York City agency that regulates the wholesale market in the South Bronx. Now the BIC is expanding its scope to include businesses located just outside the 113-acre facility.
Hunts Point receives thousand of truckloads of produce each week from across North America and around the world. It is the globe’s largest wholesale produce terminal.
About 30 of Hunts Point’s 42 businesses are expected to attend the CoC meeting. They are upset over BIC’s tactics, including a requirement that the companies’ employees—mostly low-wage, minority workers—complete an 11-page form that asks personal questions about the workers’ spouses, employment history and addresses over the past decade. The information is used to vet their eligibility to work at the companies, and there are significant fees associated with completing these forms.
“We see this as a violation of the employees’ civil rights,” Josephine Infante, president of the Hunts Point Economic Development Corp., told Crain’s in an online article published September 11. “People feel threatened.”
BIC, a law enforcement agency is focused on rooting out organized crime in the carting industry and public wholesale food markets and has had success in eliminating mob infiltration at the former Fulton Fish Market. But the agency is now at the center of a dispute between the city and the vendors over a plan to redevelop the market and ink a 30-year lease, Crain’s reports. The market, says BIC’s involvement in its operations is the chief reason it has not struck a deal and may move out of the city.
In 2009, legislation expanded the agency’s authority to wholesale businesses located in a defined geographic region beyond the walls of the meat, produce and fish markets. Hunts Point community leaders say BIC has recently ramped up its outreach in the area, and they are concerned that it will have a chilling effect on economic growth in the neighborhood.
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Dale Hunt of Milwaukee, WI has no doubt lived an interesting life – but perhaps the most interesting adventures he has lived will never be known. After all, the former owner operator and now company driver, who used to be a Navy SEAL, will never talk about it.
As he said to me with a slight smile on his face, “If I told you anything I’d have to kill you.” I look at the Navy SEAL ballcap he is wearing and the SEAL sticker on his truck and reply, “let’s move on to another topic.”
Although the roots for Navy SEALS dates back to WWII, the group as it is known today was formed in 1962. The SEALS mission is to conduct counter guerilla warfare and clandestine operations in maritime and riverine environments. In other words, these are “bad” dudes doing brave and good things.
But Dale’s life these days appears more normal as a driver for Maglio & Co. of Milwaukee, a wholesaler and processor primarily for foodservice companies. Dale delivers produce mostly to Maglio customers.
He has been trucking 30 years, including 12 years as a Navy SEAL and five years as an owner operator.
Dale has been driving for his current company for two years and he sees advantages whether being an owner operator or a company driver. Right now he prefers being the latter, considering the weak state of the nation’s economy.
The company delivers freight to eight states stretching from Ohio to North Dakota. Although some of the firm’s drivers have no regular places they deliver, he has a regular route which brings him into North Dakota.
The Wisconsinite may be away from home as much as five days, but normally he is away from home closer to two days at a time.
Dale drives a 2013 Kenworth powered by a 435 h.p. Cummins diesel, and 10-speed Eaton transmission. He pulls a 53-foot Utility trailer with Thermo King SB-230 reefer unit.
He likes trucking because if you are an owner operator, you are your own boss, and even if you are a driver the freedom is still “sort of like being your own boss.”
“There is a demand for good drivers,” Dale says. But it is a demanding job dealing with all the traffic, etc. But it’s a good profession to be in, if you are dedicated. It’s makes it a lot easier if you like what your are doing.”
Dale has dealt with demanding work most of his life, and what could be more demanding than a professional Navy SEAL?
— Bill Martin
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Avocado-lovers can look forward to the arrival of an enormous variety, five times bigger than the norm as it is now hitting supermarket shelves now.
The rare “Avozilla” – thought to be the world’s largest avocado – comes from just four trees grown by one of the world’s biggest suppliers of avocados in South Africa.
But British fans of the fruit will be able to enjoy it as it goes on sale at supermarket giant Tesco now.
The fruit is double the length and five times the weight of the standard variety – on average it is seven-and-a-half inches long and weighs nearly 3lb.
Tesco salad buyer Emma Bonny said: “The Avozilla has a fantastic taste with a rich, juicy, buttery texture, and creamy flavour.
“The ripe fruit is an attractive vivid green colour – different from the darker-coloured smaller variety – and its thick skin can actually be used as a serving bowl for guacamole.
“Avocados are full of nutrients and vitamins, and by stocking these big varieties, we’re making it easier than ever before for our customers to eat healthily.
“We believe the Avozilla will appeal to shoppers who are looking for value for money, but especially large families.”
Avocados have grown from a niche food to an everyday shopping basket favourite, she said, adding: “Avocados are one of our fastest-growing areas in produce, with a staggering 30% growth so far this year
Press Association
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In a press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary says, “As our youngsters head back to school, USDA is committed to their future. We are taking new steps to expand rural education opportunities, ensure healthy and safe food for young people, and giving parents and teachers the tools and information they need to help our kids grow up ready to lead the world.”
The website is called MyPlate Kids Place, and is designed for children ages 8 to 12, according to a news release from the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
The site also can help parents and teachers make better food choices, according to the release. The website features games, recipes, tips, activity sheets and links to the ChooseMyPlate.gov website, according to the release.
One game offered is a word maze called “Have fun with fruits and vegetables” that includes the names of 14 fruits and vegetables hidden in the maze.
Recipes contributed by students include “Kickin’ Colorful Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa,” zucchini pancakes, passion fruit smoothies and “Garden Stir Fry.”
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The Hunts Point Wholesale Terminal Produce Market that has been a dispute with New York will have to withdraw its April lawsuit against the city and refile it since the huge market did not follow the proper procedures, according to a story this week by Crain’s New York Business. The new lawsuit will include additional charges against New York City.
Hunts Points receives thousands of truckloads of fresh fruits and vegetables from around the country and the globe each week. It is the world’s largest wholesale produce market.
“We made the decision to withdraw our [complaint], which we did yesterday, and we will inform the city that we are bringing a new action,” said Sid Davidoff of Davidoff Hutcher & Cinton, the law firm representing Hunts Point. We are essentially starting over with some new causes of action.”
The market’s owners—41 merchants who are part of a cooperative, have been in a standoff with the city’s Economic Development Corp. over a new 30-year lease to redevelop the 113-acre site.
The two sides basically haven’t talked to each other since January,mainly because of the merchants’ rocky relationship with the Business Integrity Commission, a law-enforcement agency that regulates public food markets among other industries.
The merchants sued BIC, which they say hired an unscrupulous security firm to investigate themerchants business and security practices.
“We believe we have a case,” Mr. Davidoff said.
A spokesman for the city agency said, “We cannot comment on the possibility of future litigation. All we know is that they filed a lawsuit, we moved to dismiss and in response to our motion they discontinued their lawsuit,” reported Crain’s New York Business.
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Did you ever consider it doesn’t make much sense for some South American produce items to be loaded onto a boat, then set sail for the USA and pass right by Florida, before it arrives at some northern port like Philadelphia, then you pick it up and drive south 1,200 miles to Miami, FL, near where that ship had passed several days earlier?
It may be good for you as a produce hauler being paid for that load, but otherwise it doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Bite into an imported grape or blueberry in South Florida and you’re probably eating a fruit that was shipped from South America all the way to the Philadelphia area before being trucked back down to your local supermarket.
A business coalition wants to change that, so those imports can now come directly to South Florida seaports, saving time and money for importers and providing fresher produce to consumers.
A pilot program unveiled at a briefing Tuesday will allow grapes and blueberries from Peru and Uruguay to enter Broward County’s Port Everglades and Port of Miami, starting Oct. 1. If the program works, it could be extended to other fruits and nations currently off limits for direct imports, potentially bringing millions of dollars in business and cheaper fruit to South Florida.
But what seems like a no-brainer for direct imports is tougher than you think, according to Lee Sandler, the attorney representing the Florida Perishables Trade Coalition.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Sun Sentinel
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One truck owner Henry Lee has pretty much told the state of California they can take their loads and shove ’em. Well, not exactly. But the old Johnny Paycheck country hit (Take This Job and Shove It) seems to apply here.
Henry is a veteran driver who became an owner operator six years ago and has never looked back. He does what is best for his business, and one of those decisions has been to avoid trucking in California. It’s just not worth it to him.
The trucker owns a 2001 Peterbilt, pulling a 2006 refrigerated trailer.
“The California (Air Resources Board) rules are not fair. My reefer unit works fine and I have no problems with it,” he states. However, California certainly does. Under the state’s CARB rules his seven-year-old refrigeration unit has to be replaced no matter how well it is working.
“My trailer and the motor on my SB-310 (Thermo King) reefer unit are still in good condition. This refrigration unit should be good for another three years. My truck also is in good condition,” Henry says. “To replace the motor on my reefer unit would cost $10,000.”
He had recently spent $14,000 for an overhaul on his 500 h.p. Caterpillar C15 diesel.
“I like Cat engines. They have got power and they are dependable. I call it American power,” Henry says.
The resident of Ellenwood, GA has been trucking since 1997, never has pulled a dry van, and he has always hauled refrigerated loads, including plenty of produce.
“I have quit going to California because of the excessive and unfair rules and regulations there. Now, I am running between the northeast and southeast United States,” he says.
Henry says he never regrets becoming an owner operator.
“If I want to take a couple of days off, I can. If the load does not pay well, I can decline it. There is just a lot more freedom as an owner operator,” he states.
Henry is currently leased to a carrier, but is planning to have his own operating authority within the next few weeks.
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For years, health-conscious consumers have enjoyed snacking on pre-cut, pre-packaged, and in portion-controlled fresh fruits and veggies from their local market. Up until now, stonefruits like peaches and nectarines have been absent from the value-added category because of difficulties associated with processing and packaging.
But that’s about to change. On August 5th Fresh Fruit Cuts, launched Woot Froot, a line of expertly selected and artfully processed fresh peaches and nectarines that will be available through October.
“Woot Froot pairs the great taste of fresh nectarines and peaches – one of America’s top-ten fruits – with the ease and convenience of fresh cut and the added benefit of consistent quality and flavor,” said Kim Gaarde of Fresh Fruit Cuts. Gaarde also the research and developer of this new product worked diligently through her company Fruit Dynamics over an 7-year time frame to develop the proprietary process for selecting, processing and packaging the fresh cut peaches and nectarines. Gaarde also says the products will deliver a 15-day shelf life.
After seven years of research and development – and a few relentless doubters – Gaarde said she is proud to be a part of the team that is building new value for stonefruit growers and enhancing consumers’ access to value added stonefruit that is both healthy and convenient.
Gaarde also noted that only certain varieties of peaches and nectarines will make the Woot Froot cut. The company tested more than 500 varieties before finding the select few that provide the desired taste and texture worthy of a Woot Froot label. Retail consumer packs are available in 3 oz and 18 oz trays and bulk packages are available for foodservice.
“Three out of five consumers prefer to purchase ripe fruit,” Gaarde said, “but two out of five don’t know how to go about it. Woot Froot takes the guesswork out of purchasing stonefruit, a category that is loved by Americans, but has been relatively flat for the past several years. We aim to change that and add a little excitement.”
Fresh Cut Fruits will make Woot Froot available through October this year and is preparing for year-round availability in 2014 and beyond.
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