Archive For The “News” Category
Chilean fruit exports to the United State plunged by 10 percent in 2019.
With a value of $929 million, the USDA reports Chilean fruit exported to the U.S. has consistently exceeded a billion dollars, so the decrease marks the first time it has been lower than a billion in five years.
Chilean orange exports to the U.S. is the primary citrus item shipped with value of $159 million, accounting for a 23 percent decline for 2019. However, this may be a larger trend of less imports into the U.S. in general as, for example, the second citrus exporter to the country, South Africa, saw its citrus exports fall 37 percent in the same year.
As for table grapes, there are three main time frames for U.S. imports. From April 1 through June, Chile was in second place for table grape origin for the country with $192.8 million in total value. Chilean grape exports to the U.S. had an increase of 1 percent compared to the previous year during this time.
However, it is significant to note other periods for grapes experienced a dip of 43 percent in the second period. Peru also surpassed Chile in table grape imports during that time.
But in the last trimester of U.S. table grape imports, Chile was the first country of origin for the U.S. even though export figures decreased by 5 percent during the same period. In the other important category for Chile, cherries declined by 12 percent in export value, making about the same amount as in 2017 with $27.8 million in 2019.
While Chilean citrus, table grapes and cherries saw declines in 2019, apples noted a rise in exports. With a value of $75.8 million, Chilean apple exports to the U.S. increased by 27 percent.
Los Angeles, California – Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit on the planet. Native to the warm climates of Southeastern Asia, each fruit on average grows to be about 50 pounds and contain hundreds of editable fruit pods. The unique flavor of these pods has been described as a blend of mango-pineapple-banana and juicy fruit gum! However, these tasty fruit pods are difficult to extract as spiny, sticky antennae-like filaments surround the fleshy pods of fruit, not to mention the unwieldy size of each fruit.
Jackfruit is gaining interest among professional chefs as a unique ingredient and now Melissa’s makes this unusual fruit available to the retail consumer in a no-mess, 8 oz. container of all fruit pods. Because of the pods’ meaty texture, Jackfruit has become a popular meat substitute cooked just like meat, though it can also be enjoyed uncooked out of hand or as a flavorful component in a fruit salad.
Melissa’s Produce is the leading U.S. variety distributor of specialty and organic fresh produce and products. The company imports exotic fruits and vegetables from around the world. Melissa’s Produce can be contacted at 1.800.588.0151 or at www.melissas.com.
A new global marketing campaign by The California Walnut Commission of Folsom, CA creates The Power of 3, that has a simple message: three handfuls of walnuts a week can help improve nutrition.
The campaign focuses on walnut’s essential fatty acid, omega-3 ALA, and asks consumers to share the nut’s health message with three others through February, which is American Heart Month. It’s the first campaign of its scale for walnuts, according to a news release, with promotions in the U.S., Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Consumers in each country will be directed to a global landing page on the commission’s website, https://walnuts.org/power-of-3/.
Digital and social media content, a sweepstakes, recipes and snack ideas, pop-up events, samplings and more will be used to spread the nutrition campaign, according to the release.
By The Wonderful Company
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Wonderful® Pistachios, The Original Plant-Based ProteinTM, launched a new multimillion-dollar marketing campaign to further resonate with the growing number of people adding more plant-based protein to their diet. The campaign emphasizes that the best protein is grown on trees, not bred or developed in a lab.
Today’s savvy consumers have changed their perspective to reduce the amount of meat they consume, and it’s more than just a passing trend. A majority, 55%, say their change is permanent, according to HealthFocus data.
At the same time, Mintel data confirms 75 percent of people are adding more protein to their diet. To attract these protein-seeking shoppers, new retail display bins—hitting store floors early this year—will stand out at point of purchase, drawing attention to the plant-based origins of Wonderful Pistachios and offering a solution to those hungry for a plant-protein-powered snack.
“As more consumers make changes in their diet to eat less meat, but simultaneously crave more protein, Wonderful Pistachios represents the perfect snack because it’s a real, whole food containing six grams of plant-based protein per serving,” said Adam Cooper, senior vice president of marketing, The Wonderful Company. “When it comes to plant-based protein, you can’t beat the original, and our new campaign drives that message home.”
The new integrated campaign features print ads, social media, digital, public relations, emails, and Wonderful Pistachios retail bins featuring imagery of pistachio trees. The bins provide retailers a lift in sales and will propel the campaign throughout 2020.
The brand will promote plant-based messages at events throughout the year, Wonderful Pistachios influencers will continue to share plant-based protein benefits with their followers, and Wonderful Pistachios will host a live virtual symposium dedicated to sharing the latest trends on plant-based protein with retailer partners, supermarket dieticians, and other nutrition experts.
These efforts continue the momentum from the Plant-Based Nutrition Leadership Symposium, which was hosted by Wonderful Pistachios in April 2019, and drew an exclusive audience of nutrition experts for an immersion into plant-based nutrition science, culinary applications, and leadership dialogue, while celebrating pistachios in a plant-based context.
The entire campaign will ensure consumers know Wonderful Pistachios is among the highest protein snack nuts, and, unlike meat, protein-powered pistachios are naturally cholesterol free and offer fiber.
For more information about Wonderful Pistachios, please visit GetCrackin.com, Facebook at /WonderfulPistachios, and Instagram at @WonderfulPistachios.
About Wonderful Pistachios
Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds is the world’s largest vertically integrated pistachio and almond grower and processor. Grown in California’s Central Valley, our high-quality nuts can be found in the produce department of grocery stores across America.
Known for our iconic Get Crackin’® campaign, Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds is part of The Wonderful Company, a privately held $4.6 billion company.
The Wonderful Company is a privately held $4.6 billion global company dedicated to harvesting health and happiness around the world. Its iconic brands include FIJI® Water, POM Wonderful®, Wonderful® Pistachios, Wonderful® Halos®, Wonderful® Seedless Lemons, Teleflora®, JUSTIN® Wines, JNSQ™ Wines and Landmark® Wines.
The Wonderful Company’s connection to consumers has health at its heart and giving back in its DNA. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products and its core values, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To view the current Corporate Social Responsibility report, visit www.wonderful.com/csr.
BALTIMORE – Gotham Greens announced the official opening of its new, 100,000 square foot hydroponic greenhouse outside of Baltimore. Reimagining a portion of the former Bethlehem Steel Mill located in Sparrows Point, this is Gotham Greens’ seventh greenhouse nationwide and its first greenhouse that will provide a year-round supply of fresh produce to retail, restaurant and foodservice customers across 10 states throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.
The greenhouse will produce more than six million heads of lettuce annually and bring the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based, privately held company’s total annual production to more than 30 million heads of lettuce nationwide. This includes Gotham Greens’ new regional favorite Chesapeake Crunch inspired by the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which helps to filter and to protect drinking water for local residents.
“Gotham Greens is a brand dedicated to changing how people think, feel and interact with their food,” said Viraj Puri, Co-Founder & CEO of Gotham Greens. “We’re excited to introduce our line of leafy greens, herbs, sauces, dips and dressings to even more people up and down the East Coast. By conducting our first harvest during the cold winter season, this underscores our commitment to growing and delivering high-quality, long-lasting and delicious produce all year round.”
Gotham Greens’ produce is grown using hydroponic systems in 100 percent renewable electricity- powered greenhouses that use 95 percent less water and 97 percent less land than conventional farming. The new greenhouse features the company’s latest technological advances, including proprietary data-driven control tools to develop the highest-yielding, most energy efficient indoor farming system on the market today.
Over the past 10 years, the company has helped to create and to popularize the greenhouse-grown produce category among retailers and consumers. In conjunction with its rapid expansion across the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, New England and Midwest regions, Gotham Greens recently introduced a refreshed visual identity and packaging design that positions the company as a forward-thinking, innovative food brand.
“Given the global issues surrounding conventional agriculture, it is important that we continue to stand out in a field of greens in the produce aisle,” Puri said. “Our thoughtful approach to resource conservation and our brand mission are at the forefront of the design strategy, while our refreshed branding makes it even easier for consumers to shop for high-quality, local produce.”
Gotham Greens is creating 60 full-time green jobs in Baltimore and has partnered with the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development and the Center for Urban Families to host hiring events. The company will sponsor a local mobile Pantry On The Go on March 11 in partnership with the Maryland Food Bank to provide fresh produce and other pantry staples to its neighbors facing food insecurity. The event also will serve as a local job fair, recruiting for year- round clean manufacturing jobs in a neighborhood facing high rates of unemployment.
The company’s Baltimore greenhouse will serve as a resource to educate local residents and visitors on the benefits of sustainable, indoor farming by hosting free guided tours, as well as field trips for schools, universities and other local community organizations.
For more information on Gotham Greens, its greenhouses and its products, please visit gothamgreens.com.
About Gotham Greens
Gotham Greens is a pioneer in indoor agriculture and a leading produce and fresh food company. Through its national network of climate-controlled, data-driven greenhouses, Gotham Greens grows and sells long-lasting, delicious leafy greens and herbs along with a line of fresh salad dressings and pesto sauces to retail, restaurant and foodservice customers year-round. Founded in 2009 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Gotham Greens now operates 500,000 square feet of hydroponic greenhouses across five U.S. states with more than 300 team members.
Vitamins A and C are being phased out on nutrition labels by the Food and Drug Administration in favor of vitamin D and potassium. At the same time Monterey Mushrooms is reminding consumers mushrooms are a source of vitamin D.
The FDA label information changes took place January 1st, according to a news release from Monterey Mushrooms of Watsonville, CA., which grows and ships vitamin D enriched mushroomss.
The mushrooms, labeled “high in vitamin D,” are exposed to ultraviolet light, giving them more than 50 percent of the daily recommended value by the FDA, according to the release. Monterey’s high in vitamin D line include all sliced white and baby bella mushrooms in 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages, and 8-ounce portabellas.
““Exposing mushrooms to ultraviolet light is an extra step during the packaging process and it distinguishes us from other growers,” Lindsey Occhipinti, marketing manager, said in the release. “We see it as added value for shoppers, and we hope they will visit our website for recipes that show how easy it is to incorporate vitamin D into their favorite meals.”
Mushrooms are the only fruit or vegetable that naturally contain vitamin D. Before exposing them to ultraviolet light, mushrooms have less than 2% of the recommended daily value of vitamin D, according to the release.
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Apples can help keep your heart healthy, along with a balanced diet that includes many fruits and vegetables. The Michigan Apple Committee works with expert Shari Steinbach, M.S., R.D. to communicate the health benefits of regular apple consumption.
February is American Heart Month, so now is a great time to tout the importance of consuming a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
Apples are naturally fat-free and provide an excellent source of fiber – both soluble and insoluble types. In a 2012 study conducted by Ohio State University, the daily consumption of apples was associated with reduced level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as “bad” cholesterol. Their research showed that middle-aged adults who consumed one apple a day for four weeks lowered their levels of LDL cholesterol by 40 percent. Other studies found that eating apples daily appeared to lower levels of cholesterol and two other indicators associated with plaques and inflammation in artery walls. Additional health studies and information can be found at www.MichiganApples.com/Healthy-Living.
“Apples are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber, which blocks cholesterol absorption in the gut and encourages the body to use, rather than store this waxy substance. In addition, apple peels are packed with polyphenols. These antioxidants can prevent cellular damage from harmful molecules called free radicals,” said Steinbach. “As far as how much to eat, just follow the apple-a-day saying, and if you eat two-a-day it might be even better!”
In 2018, Steinbach helped the Michigan Apple Committee create a kit as a resource for retail dietitians to help them communicate the many dietary benefits of Michigan Apples. Steinbach tapped in to her extensive experience as a former retail dietitian for Meijer and Spartan Stores to compile resources she knew Retailer RDs would need and use. Everything from recipes, meal plans, social media posts and scripts for media outreach are included in the kit. New sections will be added to the kit in 2020. To request a hard copy or electronic copy, email Staff@MichiganApples.com.
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com.
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By The Allen Lund Company
The Allen Lund Company, a transportation and logistics provider, announced today it has completed its acquisition of Des Moines Truck Broker’s, Inc. (DMTB), a distinguished brokerage of over 50 years. February 17, 2020, was the first day of operations.
The acquisition brings Allen Lund Company’s exceptional reputation and operational excellence together with DMTB’s award-winning proven track record with their product-diverse customer base.
“With this acquisition, company culture was an important factor for ALC. While doing our research, the executive team was very impressed with the people and the culture they have created at DMTB” said Eddie Lund, president of Allen Lund Company. “We can confidently say that DMTB has a group that is team-oriented, maintains a strong work ethic, values customer service, and enjoys what they do. We are certain they are a great fit for our company.”
“We take great pride in the business my father started and our fifty-year reputation,” said Jimmy DeMatteis DMTB president and CEO. DeMatteis continued, “I have tremendous confidence in our DMTB team. Very few companies do what we do the way we do it and the Allen Lund Company does it the right way too! I have always admired the Lund’s and the business they have built. As we have grown, I would be lying if I said we didn’t try in some way to emulate ALC. Both companies have received the NASTC Broker of the Year award, DMTB in 2009 and 2013 and ALC in 2010. I can’t think of another company in this industry that we align with better than ALC. Throughout this process, I have found myself energized and excited to see what we can do as a unified team. Every single person I have dealt with at ALC has been welcoming, warm, and professional. I have been blown away with the many talented people behind the scenes and that we’ve interacted with. I feel blessed that our two teams will come together, and I am eager to see what we can achieve as one.”
Des Moines Truck Brokers was co-founded by James A. DeMatteis (Jim Sr.) in 1969 with Joseph M. and Joseph T. Comito. The Comito family owns and still operates Capital City Fruit. Jimmy DeMatteis became the second employee in October 1984. Much like ALC, the focus from day one was exempt commodities especially fresh produce, eggs, and turkeys. Jimmy served as VP of operations from 1997 to 2003. In 2003 Jimmy accepted the position of president and in 2009 President and CEO.
About Allen Lund Company:
Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and over 550 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers across the nation to arrange 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 licensed by the FMC as an OTI-NVOCC #019872NF. If you are interested in joining the Allen Lund Company team, please click here.
Established in 1976, the Allen Lund Company was recognized by Food Logistics magazine as a 2019 Top 3PL & Cold Storage Provider for TransKool Solutions, Logistics Tech Outlook for our software division ALC Logistics as a 2018 Top 10 Freight Management Solution Providers, 2018 Food Logistics’ Top 3PL & Cold Storage Providers list, 2017 Supply & Demand Chain Executive Top 100, 2017 Food Logistics 100+ Top Software and Tech Provider, a 2016 Top IT Provider by Inbound Logistics, 2015 Coca-Cola Challenger Carrier of the Year, 2015 Top Private Company in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2015 Top 100+ Software and Technology Providers, 2015 Top 100 Logistics IT Provider by Inbound Logistics, a 2014 Great Supply Chain Partner, and was placed in Transport Topics’ “2014 Top 25 Freight Brokerage Firms.” The company manages over 365,000 loads annually, and received the 2013 “Best in Cargo Security Award.” In 2011, the company received the TIA 3PL Samaritan Award, and NASTC (National Association of Small Trucking Companies) named Allen Lund Company the 2010 Best Broker of the Year. More information is available at allenlund.com
C.H. Robinson/Robins Fresh has been accused of “illegal and deceptive” business practices in a lawsuit by a number of U.S. and foreign growers.
According to press reports, the lawsuit was filedby a group of farmers in mid-January in federal court in Minnesota asking for a total of $1.1 billion for allegedly overcharging shipping costs while pocketing the additional profits and underpaying farmers for various types of produce from both North America and South America.
The lawsuit reportedly claims that these freight profits exceeded $1,000 per load of produce.
Filed January 16th, the complaint claims C.H. Robinson/ Robinson Fresh of Eden Prairie, MN :
- Represented fees from growers as their own donations to breast cancer organizations;
- Structured the transportation of consigned produce in a way — termed freight topping — that benefited C.H. Robinson rather than growers;
- Contracted for an additional reduction of 2 percent of freight charges and did not pass the savings on to plaintiffs;
- Received rebates from seed suppliers and didn’t pass them on to growers; and
- Received rebates from pallet company CHEP USA but did not pass them on to growers.
The plaintiff’s lawsuit was filed by Craig Stokes, of Stokes Law Office, San Antonio.
Plantiffs are:
- David Moore, doing business as Moore Family Farms;
- Terry Lusk, Jason Lusk and Justin Lusk, doing business as JTJ Farms;
- Kevin Rentz, Amanda Calhoun Rentz, Dennis Bruce Rentz and Karla Jo Rentz, doing business as Rentz Family Farms;
- Kevin Coggins, doing business as Mek Farms;
- Bowles Farming Co. Inc.;
- Agropecuaria Los Americanos S.C. de R.L. de C.V.;
- Phil Sandifer & Sons Farms LLC;
- JMB Farm LLC;
- Powe Farms Management LLC
- CA Comercial S.A.C.;
- Global Fresh S.A.C.; and
- Pepas Tropicales Del Peru S.A.C;
C.H. Robinson has until early March to respond to the complaint in court, but the company issued a statement to trade newspaper The Packer February 10 stating the “complaint was designed to capture media attention, and it contains an enormous amount of self-serving falsehoods as well as blatant mischaracterizations and fabrications about our company, teams and the actual agreements signed by the growers themselves.”
C.H. Robinson plans to oppose the plaintiffs’ plan to pursue class-action status of the lawsuit.
“We deny any and all allegations of wrongdoing and look forward to vigorously defending our actions, as well as filing legitimate counterclaims against the growers.”
In the company’s statement, C.H. Robinson said it loaned several of the growers listed in the complaint money to finance their businesses.
“Now that the money is due to be repaid, these growers are using this complaint to avoid paying their debts. C.H. Robinson will assert its right to collect the significant amounts it is owed by the growers,” according to the statement.
Stokes said plaintiffs are seeking class action status from the court, and that claims of freight topping could apply to “hundreds if not thousands of growers.” Stokes said he was aware of only one grower plaintiff who owes money to C.H. Robinson.
Stokes alleges that C.H. Robinson inflated freight costs and included that number in the delivered cost to the buyer.
“So you take the delivered cost, minus the freight inflated by (X percent), and then that number was reported to the grower as the f.o.b. price,” he said.
While contracts with growers clearly spelled out the sales commission charged by C.H. Robinson, Stokes said the contracts made no mention of C.H. Robinson making money on freight.
“If you are going to charge for something, you put it in the contract and get permission,” Stokes said. “Tell the grower how much you’re going to mark up the truckers’ invoices and get the growers’ permission.”
C.H. Robinson said in its statement that the company did not violate any expressed or implied duties to the growers.
“We are proud of the work we do with our teams, growers, and customers throughout the world, and we look forward to putting this entirely meritless complaint behind us,” said Michael Castagnetto, President of Robinson Fresh, a division of C.H. Robinson.
Brilliance, the new Florida strawberry variety introduced last season, has proven to be to be quite popular.
The fruit’s initial season of commercial production has been reported by the the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Wimauma, FL. to have gone very well.
Entering its second season, the Florida brilliance already accounts for the majority of Florida’s strawberry acreage this season with an estimated 55 percent.
Florida growers have exclusive rights to the variety for three years before it will become available to growers in California and Mexico.
Florida brilliance basically is replacing the Florida radiance variety.
The berry’s most important trait is that it is early yielding, enabling growers to get into the fall/winter market sooner, making it the state’s earliest producing strawberry. The industry also is touting the improved shape of the berry, as well as flavor firmness and quality.
A variety formally called sweet sensation, also developed by the University of Florida, is the other major strawberry in the state, accounting for 25 to 30 percent of production.
Sweet sensation is not as resistant to rain as well as Florida brilliance and also lacks the yields. On the plus is the excellent flavor with a high brix (sugar) rating late in the season, which is important to processors.
Astin Strawberry Exchange LLC of Plant City, FL has shifted primarily away from the radiance to the brilliance variety and cites its fast growth to maturity as well as its high quality.
Astin Strawberry Exchange LLC, Plant City, Fla., is a company that now primarily plants the Florida brilliance variety.