Archive For The “News” Category
After a week on strike, Hunts Point produce handlers are back on the job.
Teamsters Local 202 called the strike a victory after 97 percent voted to approve a new 3-year contract. The union had demanded a $1-per-hour increase in wages each year. The new contract guarantees 70 cents the first year, 50 cents the second year and 65 cents the third year, according to an article in the New York Times.
The previous contract included a 32-cent-per-hour increase, which Daniel Kane Jr., the Teamsters Local 202 president, said was not enough with workers at risk during a pandemic.
“I’m hoping that that will resonate with workers throughout this country because our members are essential, and decent, hardworking family people,” Kane said during a news conference.
The strike was a “tough week” but worth it, Stephen Katzman, owner and president of S. Katzman Produce and president of the Hunts Point Cooperative Board told the New York Times.
“We have kept the city fed throughout the Great Depression, two World Wars, two recessions and now a global pandemic, without ever breaking our crucial role in the food supply chain,” he told the NYT. “New Yorkers can rest assured that they will continue to have access to a consistent supply of fresh fruits and vegetables…[even though] it cost us money and it was a tough week.”
The strike drew attention in the media with lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joining picket lines. A handful of protesters were arrested, but the events remained peaceful.
By Matt Fyten, Operations Manager, ALC San Francisco
Everyone is familiar with the phone call, the Monday after a hectic holiday pull, “Hey it’s Never There Trucking, remember me? I have four empty reefer teams ready to go anywhere, can you help me out?”
As brokers, we have to make a choice on which carriers we give our business to in an effort to support our customers. While it might be tempting to give our business to that truck that is ready to haul our loads at a low rate, experienced brokers know that is not always the best long term solution.
What about the carriers that gave you trucks all year and even took on extra loads during that holiday? Are we really going to pass on those options for a truck even if it’s 100 dollars cheaper? These are the questions that are fiercely debated among brokers every day. Managing a carrier’s load volume as well as their relationship expectations has never been more important as we navigate this time of uncertainty.
The largest challenge for produce transportation brokers was that midway through 2020 dry van rates surpassed refrigerated truck rates. There is significantly less liability for a carrier to haul a dry van load compared to a refrigerated load. Refrigerated trucks hauling fresh produce know that they are going to get paid more money because they must wait for extended periods of time to get loaded, use more fuel in their reefer units, maintain a continuous cold chain, and are dealing with a product that has a short expiration date.
We spoke to one of our carriers who stated, “we are getting over $3.50 a mile, having zero claims with flexible loading and delivery dates, along with being able to use 80% of my reefers without having to buy new equipment made dry a profitable option for us.”
They know any breakdown or issue could cause a very expensive problem, constricting an already volatile truck market as our country was entering various stages of pandemic responses.
The rate discrepancy has made many refrigerated trucks that specialize in produce hesitant to commit to a year-long contract rate in 2021. I reached out to some of our highest volume carriers to get their thoughts on the upcoming year. Another of our larger carriers stated that contracts this year are “very risky and a gamble he is not willing to take.”
One solution is to work out mini contracts. These are locked in rates that can last for six months, a season, a month, or even a week. Having carriers sign up for programs like our own RIGS, will ensure we keep their trucks loading with ALC. Carriers take comfort in knowing that a single company can provide them round trips and they don’t need to search the load boards for freight. That same carrier also informed us that they avoid the posting boards because in times like this they need to be assured that they will receive payment from a reputable company like ALC.
Coming off of a very challenging year in 2020 it might be tempting to give business to the less expensive truck that shows up as the market softens. Last year showed us a market shift can come at any moment not just during the summer months or before the holidays. We have to treat carrier relationships like a long-term investment and continue to educate our carriers on the value of repeat business with ALC.
*****
Matt Fyten joined the Allen Lund Company in August of 2014 as a broker in training. Over the years he has held the roles of broker, senior broker and now Operations Manager in the San Francisco office. Matt holds a degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University and has 12 years of experience in sales/customer relations.
For the first time, a white strawberry that smells a bit like a pineapple will go to market in the U.S.
As western-central Florida strawberry harvesting season continues through the end of March, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services is releasing two new varieties — the white one and a red one — neither named yet, according to a news release.
“The flavor is very different from a typical strawberry, sweet but with a pineapple-like aroma,” Vance Whitaker, associate professor of horticultural sciences and a strawberry breeder, said in the release. “White strawberries have been popular for some time in Japan, but this is expected to be the first white strawberry on the market in the United States.”
The strawberry is white inside and out even when it’s ripe and ready to eat. It has a slight pink blush on the skin and red seeds, said Whitaker, also a faculty member at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.
Breeders crossed white strawberries from the wild with modern strawberries to make this new specialty.
He expects these white strawberries to be available in U.S. grocery stores by 2022, marketed as “pineberries” because of the pineapple aroma.
The world’s largest fresh produce wholesale terminal, Hunts Point Produce Market, has a labor union strike over a wage dispute.
Hunts Point leaders on the Bronx market and the 1,400 member labor union are embroiled in an escalating debate on what’s a fair wage increase.
The market released a statement saying it was coordinating with the New York Police Department and bringing in a private security firm, to assure safe access is maintained for trucks bringing fresh healthy produce in and out of the market, as well as for produce buyers coming to the market to purchase produce.
The cooperative board represents about 30 produce firms, which supply about 60% of the produce for New York City; it also serves the surrounding region.
This will be the first strike at the Hunts Point market in almost 35 years.
The union is seeking a $1 per hour wage increase, and Hunts Point leaders offered 32 cents. The market reports business is down 30% since last spring due to the pandemic. Union workers earn between $30,000 and $40,000 a year, according to Teamsters Local 202.
Ready-to-eat beet brand, Love Beets USA, celebrates its 10-year anniversary this month.
With a robust product line, notable distribution, and beloved branding, they took what was formerly thought of as a polarizing vegetable and created delicious, modern, and versatile offerings that revitalized how Americans view beets.
Love Beets began as a true labor of love by husband-and-wife team, Guy and Katherine Shropshire. Recognizing there was a gap in the U.S. market for tasty, ready-to-eat beet options, they debuted their family’s favorite recipes at the 2010 Fancy Food Show. The response was overwhelmingly positive and virtually everyone who tasted their beets said they, “love beets!”
Though they felt it could be hard to overcome the initial perception of “grandma’s beets” and antiquated canned beets in the U.S., after witnessing the excitement and reaction to their products at that first show, Shropshire said he never doubted the potential of Love Beets.
“It’s a real-life example of success by joining a genuinely great product together with talented, super hard-working people,” he said.
Consumers can now enjoy Love Beets items in more than 15,000 retail locations across the country. Distribution has expanded to many prominent retail partners, including Costco, Whole Foods, Kroger, Wegmans, Sprouts, Target, and many more.
As beets biggest sponsor, Love Beets has had a substantial positive impact on the perception of beets nationwide, and they’ve made a name for themselves in both the produce industry and larger natural foods CPG space.
“We’ve been able to create a well-known and well-loved brand identity within the produce space, a department full of commodity and private label offerings with a lot of competition for shelf space,” said General Manager, George Shropshire.
“Beyond that accomplishment, we’ve also worked hard to grow as a U.S.-grown and produced company. We’re proud of our made in the USA label that stands out among our competitors.”
Looking forward, Love Beets aims to drive growth through innovation, sustainability, and continuing to drive trial and consumption. They will continue to provide consumers with healthy and convenient options that taste good, while working on an enhanced brand identity with updates to packaging and the introduction of new flavor offerings within their marinated baby beet line.
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and City of Pharr, Texas, officials are excited to announce that on December 31, President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential permit for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge,
The news comes after a brief yet influential period of impressing upon the federal government the urgency and need for the expansion by city leaders, U.S. senators, and other key stakeholders. The 2020 permit amends the current permit to allow for the addition of another bridge at the international port of entry.
This second span will give Pharr a competitive advantage by adding additional lanes to completely separate trucks and cars, dedicating specific lanes for empties, full cargo, certified cargo, and passenger vehicles, thereby adding capacity and reducing wait times. With this permit, Pharr will now have an official gate-to-gate FAST lane, or set of FAST lanes, from Mexico to the United States.
Typically, a permit process can take multiple years before approval; Pharr’s application was fast-tracked due to the dedicated efforts of city leaders and staff, consulting engineers Structural Engineering Associates, Inc., and others, who prioritized this project and worked diligently with U.S. and Mexican officials, despite the challenges of being in the midst of a global pandemic.
The City of Pharr worked with Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and their staff on this project, which began in September 2019 with a meeting between Pharr’s team and the White House arranged by Senator Cruz. Senator Cornyn led efforts and coordinated meetings between Pharr and the U. S. Department of State, which led to the formal notification to the U.S. Department of State in April 2020 of Pharr’s intent to expand the international bridge. Between April and August of 2020, Pharr leaders and representatives consulted with major U. S. and Mexican stakeholders, culminating in more than 60 letters of support from elected officials at the local, state, federal, and international levels.
The project also received support from all major transportation and trade associations, border infrastructure groups, and private industry partners that utilize the bridge on a daily basis. The Pharr City Commission authorized the submission of the presidential permit amendment application to the U. S. Department of State, which was submitted on September 30, 2020, and just three months later, the permit was issued.
“It is unprecedented that a sitting President of the United States grants a Presidential Permit Amendment with record time, and we thank him for doing so,” said Mayor Hernandez. “This new year began on a positive note with the issuing of this permit for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge,” Hernandez continued. “The City of Pharr is appreciative of the diligent efforts made possible by the government relations and bridge teams at the city level, in coordination with Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, which opened the doors of communication with our presidential administration and federal agencies to accomplish this goal with unprecedented speed due to the forthright and transparent communication regarding the need and urgency of this project,” he continued.
“This permit amends the current permit to allow for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge, and will further support the record numbers of international trade and commerce that transpires on our port of entry,” Hernandez added. “It is a wonderful new year, indeed!” he continued.
“Pharr’s ports of entry serve as a gateway for billions of dollars in cross-border trade that benefits our state’s economy,” said Senator Cornyn. “Expanding the Pharr International Bridge will enhance trade and travel and benefit all who use the facility,” he added.
Senator Cruz remarked, “Texas is home to some of the nation’s busiest border crossings and the Pharr International Bridge serves as an important port of entry to facilitate the United States’ trade and commerce with Mexico. I am grateful the Trump Administration recognized the importance of expanding the Pharr International Bridge to further enhance the U.S.-Mexico trade partnership and increase commerce between the two nations,” Senator Cruz said. “I’d like to commend the leadership of Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, City of Pharr City Council, the staff at the City of Pharr, and community leaders for their diligent work on this project and working with our office to help ensure this project was permitted in record time. I was proud to support the Pharr International Bridge expansion project as millions of jobs, in Texas and across the country, depend upon trade with Mexico. I will continue working to ensure future trade opportunities benefit Texas and put American jobs first.”
The New Zealand kiwifruit industry will be boosted by three specialized reefer vessels following significant investment by operator Fresh Carriers, underpinned by their confidence in the kiwifruit industry and their longstanding relationship with Zespri.
The first of three vessels, MV Kowhai, arrived at the Port of Tauranga recently to begin loading 4,219 tons of Zespri Kiwifruit ahead of its maiden kiwifruit voyage bound for Japan.
In recognition of the fact kiwifruit would be the main cargo transported, Fresh Carriers provided the kiwifruit industry with the opportunity to name the three new ships. Former grower Lynda Hawes’ suggestion of Kowhai was selected, symbolising the golden kiwifruit that continues to strengthen the bond between New Zealand and Japan, with the remaining two ships to be named Kakariki (Green) and Whero (Red), ensuring a full spread of Zespri’s portfolio of golden, green and red kiwifruit.
“Each year Fresh Carriers transports around 190,000 tonnes of kiwifruit from New Zealand, and we’re pleased to deliver the first of our three brand new vessels that will ship fruit to some of Zespri’s top Asian markets,” says
Oceanic Navigation Director Bruce Nisbet.
“The new vessels can ship more trays of kiwifruit through a higher deck, and the engines are built to the latest standards in fuel efficiency. New technology in the vessels also enable remote monitoring of fruit conditioning.
Fresh Carriers supplied 35 vessels to ship Zespri Kiwifruit to key North Asia ports this season, which is around 30 percent of this season’s fruit.
From January through September U.S. fresh vegetable imports totaled $7.56 billion, up 13 percent compared with the same period in 2019.
In contrast, U.S. fresh fruit imports (excluding bananas and plantains) totaled $8.99 billion from January through September, down 2 percent.
2020 U.S. imports of bananas and plantains during that period totaled $1.84 billion, up 2 percent compared with the same months in 2019.
Through the first six months of 2020, port volume , compared with a year ago, shows mixed trends, according to data from the USDA.
Here are cargo trend highlights from selected ports.
Port of Seattle
Port of Seattle 2020 imports through June, compared with the same period in 2019:
- Bananas: 58,301 metric tons, up 19 percent from 49,189 metric tons;
- Pineapples: 1,366 metric tons, down 52 percent from 2,859 metric tons;
- Deciduous fruit: 35,399 metric tons, up 9 percent from 32,490 metric tons;
- Vegetables: 20,420 metric tons, up 27 percent from 16,035 metric tons;
- Onions/shallots: 4,125 metric tons, up 135 percent from 1,231 metric tons.
Port of Seattle 2020 exports through June, compared with the same period in 2019:
- Vegetables; 273,292 metric tons, down 16 percent from 326,183 metric tons;
- Onions/shallots: 1,023 metric tons, down from 8,309 metric tons;
- Deciduous fruit: 76,340 metric tons, unchanged from 76,364 metric tons; and
- Berries: 2,396 metric tons, up 58 percent from 1,517 metric tons.
Port of Wilmington, Del.
Port of Wilmington 2020 imports through June, compared with the same period in 2019:
- Bananas: 774,459 metric tons, up 4.6 percent from 740,266 metric tons;
- Pineapples: 139,911 metric tons, down 10 percent compared with 154,957 metric tons;
- Vegetables: 11,629 metric tons, down 12 percent compared 13,090 metric tons;
- Berries: 2,848 metric tons, up 44 percent compared with 1,975 metric tons;
- Deciduous fruit: 128,876 metric tons, down 4 percent compared with 134,040 metric tons;
- Mandarin oranges: 18,518 metric tons, up 67 percent compared with 11,094 metric tons; and
- Lemons: 953 metric tons, up 20 percent compared with 791 metric tons.
Port of Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles 2020 exports through June, compared with same period in 2019:
- Deciduous fruit: 8,074 metric tons, down 57 percent compared with 18,699 metric tons;
- Vegetables: 8,373 metric tons, down 69 percent compared with 27,043 metric tons;
- Oranges: 29,940 metric tons, down 22 percent compared with 38,372 metric ton;
- Lemons: 6,503 metric tons, down 72 percent compared with 23,315 metric tons;
- Edible nuts: 25,250 metric tons, down 60 percent compared with 63,343 metric tons; and
- Cherries: 113 metric tons, down 62 percent compared with 294 metric tons.
Port of Philadelphia
Port of Philadelphia 2020 imports through June, compared with 2019:
- Pineapples: 102,507 metric tons, up 39 percent compared with 73,665 metric tons;
- Oranges: 42,980 metric tons, up 298 percent compared with 10,791 metric tons;
- Onions/shallots; 10,774 metric tons, up 145 percent compared with 4,406 metric tons;
- Mandarins: 15,528 metric tons, down 24 percent compared with 20,513 metric tons;
- Lemons: 19,908 metric tons, up 59 percent compared with 12,504 metric tons;
- Deciduous fruit: 350,412 metric tons, up 31 percent compared with 267,418 metric tons;
- Berries: 46,647 metric tons, up 156 percent compared with 18,169 metric tons;
- Bananas: 296,196 metric tons, up 42 percent compared with 207,522 metric tons; and
- Vegetables: 16,625 metric tons, down 37 percent compared with 26,239 metric tons.
Port of New York
Port of New York 2020 imports through June, compared with 2019:
- Vegetables: 298,760 metric tons, up 17 percent compared with 254,456 metric tons;
- Oranges: 16,375 metric tons, up 31 percent compared with 12,469 metric tons;
- Onions/shallots: 26,270 metric tons, up 376 percent compared with 5,512 metric tons;
- Mandarins: 1,217 metric tons, down 85 percent compared with 8,188 metric tons;
- Lemons: 13,780 metric tons down 6 percent compared with 14,660 metric tons;
- Deciduous fruit: 86,918 metric tons, down 5 percent compared with 91,534 metric tons;
- Asparagus: 5,048 metric tons, up 386 percent compared with 1,037 metric tons; and
- Bananas: 62,489 metric tons, down 7 percent compared with 67,151 metric tons.
Port of Everglades, FL
Port of Everglades 2020 imports through June, compared with 2019:
- Asparagus: 14,464 metric tons, up 226 percent compared with 4,428 metric tons;
- Bananas: 170,861 metric tons, up 17 percent compared with 146,316 metric tons;
- Berries: 94,693 metric tons, up 562 percent compared with 14,288 metric tons;
- Deciduous fruit: 108,797 metric tons, down 40 percent compared with 180,496 metric tons;
- Lemons: 3,897 metric tons, up 31 percent compared with 2,983 metric tons;
- Onions/shallots: 3,125 metric tons, up 105 percent compared 1,522 metric tons;
- Oranges: 2,897 metric tons, up 626 percent compared with 399 metric tons;
- Pineapples: 26,156 metric tons, down 8 percent compared with 28,526 metric tons; and
- Vegetables: 58,064 metric tons, up 7 percent compared with 54,320 metric tons
2020 has come to close and for many of us, and not too soon.
It proved to be a very challenging year for everyone. Few have been challenged more than the patriotic driver of the United States of America.
2021 has got to be better. Among the reasons for optimism is President Trump’s Operation Warp Speed (OWS), the public-private partnership to facilitate and accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Warp Speed program that resulted in vaccinations now becoming available in record time.
The trucking industry came through as never before during the past year delivering the vast majority of the nation’s freight to keep this great country moving.
For this reason, we are dedicating the New Year to America’s truck drivers. Despite the enormous challenges created by the China virus, you keep delivering us fresh fruits and vegetables, countless other perishables, as well as just about anything else one can think of.
Thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and perseverance during all of the adversity.
Wishing a prosperous 2021, full of success and good health for each of you and your family!
U.S. vegetable per capita availability increased 2.7 percent, excluding melons to 153.32 pounds in 2019, according to the USDA.
The increase in last year still left the total 2.5 percent lower than 2017, when per capita vegetable availability was 157.10 pounds.
By 2019 commodity per capita availability and percent change from 2018:
- Asparagus: 1.75 pounds, down 0.12%;
- Artichokes: 1.38 pounds, up 1.92%;
- Snap/green beans:1.78 pounds, up 8.94%;
- Broccoli; 6.14 pounds, up 3.59%;
- Cabbage; 6.46 pounds, up 13.76%;;
- Carrot: 13.61 pounds, up 11.55%;
- Cauliflower; 3.02 pounds, up 20.50%;
- Celery; 5.34 pounds, up 9.18%;
- Sweet corn; 6.77 pounds, down 0.46%;
- Cucumber: 8.01 pounds, up 0.23%;
- Eggplant; 0.88 pounds, down 3.03%;
- Escarole/endive: 0.17 pounds, down 1.17%;
- Head lettuce: 12.72 pounds; up 3.15%;
- Romaine/leaf lettuce; 12.33 pounds; up 1.71%;
- Garlic; 1.92 pounds, down 19.90%;
- Onions: 20.39 pounds, down 0.54%;
- Bell peppers: 11.31 pounds, up 1.31%;
- Pumpkin: 5.83 pounds, down 6.89%;
- Radish; 0.54 pounds, down 1.26%;
- Spinach; 2.48 pounds, up 32.50%;
- Squash; 5.87 pounds, up 3.98%;
- Southern Greens: 2.87 pounds, down 0.65%;
- Tomatoes: 20.3 pounds; up 0.09%;
- Total without melons: 153.32 pounds, up 2.74%.