Archive For The “News” Category
by American Pecan Council
FORT WORTH, Texas — Pecans have been hovering below the radar for most Americans – often dismissed as an ingredient just for holiday pies. Even though pecans are the only major tree nut indigenous to America, many people in the country are unaware of the versatility, health benefits, American heritage, and year-round availability of pecans. That’s all about to change.
Today the pecan industry launched its first-ever national consumer campaign to help America’s native nut proudly claim its spot as a super nutritious, super versatile and super local nut. American Pecans, The Original Supernut™ is a brand positioning for pecans and a consumer education initiative to get Americans to think about pecans in a new way.
“The American pecan industry has a rich history dating back centuries and a powerful story that is largely untold – our goal is to change that,” said Mike Adams, a Texas pecan grower and chairperson of the American Pecan Council – a new organization formed as a result of a Federal Marketing Order (FMO) for pecans approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2016. “Other nuts, to their credit, have benefited from large consumer campaigns for decades. Now, we want to shine a light on our industry that has come together to share the story of the American Pecan.”
The campaign will help change America’s perception of pecans, focusing on three major reasons they truly are The Original Supernut.
- Pecans are super nutritious: Even though pecans are typically considered a dessert nut, they are extremely nutrient dense and nearly two decades of research document their heart-health benefits.* Pecans are among the highest in “good” monounsaturated fats, and contain plant protein, fiber, flavonoids and essential minerals, including copper, manganese and zinc.
- Pecans are super versatile: They are an easy snack right out of the bag or mixed with dried fruit for a fast trail mix. They can be tossed onto morning oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and salads. And while pecan pie is a holiday favorite, pecans can be used in many savory recipes such as pasta, dips, and even tacos – the possibilities are endless.
- Pecans are super local: Of all the major tree nuts eaten in the U.S., pecans are the only ones indigenous to America. Once grown wild and enjoyed by Native Americans, pecans are now harvested in 15 states across the pecan belt.
The U.S. annual pecan harvest averages about 300 million pounds, which is a large portion of the global pecan supply. However, pecan production is significantly lower than other major tree nuts that have benefited from Federal Marketing Orders for decades, such as 2 billion pounds for almonds and 1 billion for walnuts. Pecan growers have planted thousands of acres of new trees in the last few years in anticipation of the expected increase in demand.
About the American Pecan Council
The American Pecan Council (APC) is a group of passionate pecan growers and shellers whose life work is dedicated to growing, harvesting and processing America’s native nut. Founded in 2016 through a Federal Marketing Order, the APC’s mission is to promote the many benefits of the American Pecan and help tell the story of this truly unique nut. With oversight by the USDA, APC aims to build consumer demand, develop markets and establish industry standards. APC is based in Fort Worth, Texas, and funded by pecan handlers in 15 pecan-producing states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.
Organic fruit dollar volume and dollar sales rose 12.6 percent in 2017 compared to 2016.
Organic Produce Network and Nielsen data show items leading the list were berries, experiencing a 22 percent sales increase. Berries are followed by bananas and apples.
Sales of organic strawberries, blueberries and blackberries exceeded $586 million in 2017, with volume up 22 percent.
Organic apple volume increased 11 percent and banana volume was up 17.5 percent.
Organic fruit suppliers say they’ve got plenty of product to go around this season.
CMI Orchards LLC of Wenatchee, WA is reporting its biggest tonnage year on organics this season with apples. The company markets the Daisy Girl Organics brand.
Most of the increase is attributed to acreage transitioning from conventional.
The Oppenheimer Group of Vancouver, B.C. reports its imported organic apple program is winding down as it is preparing for its fresh-crop organic Envy, Jazz and Pacific Rose from Washington.
Oppenheimer also is currently handling organic Zespri green kiwifruit and the increasingly popular SunGold kiwifruit.
Stemilt Growers Inc. of Wenatchee, WA is shipping organic versions of all the fruit the company grows. This includes organic cherries and apricots during the summer, as well as an entire crop of organic peaches and nectarines.
Other times of the year, Stemilt ships organic apples and pears.
Homegrown Organic Farms of Porterville, CA notes some growers have left the organic business since the could no longer meet the size, color and flavor requirements and still receive organic certification. The company reports consumers still will pay a premium for organic tree fruit, but the bar has been raised from when they would pay more for a product simply because it’s organic. An organic product has to look just as good as conventional now.
Another popular organic item are bananas.
Dole Food Co. of Westlake Village, CA is seeing its strongest growth in demand for organic bananas.
Organics Unlimited Inc. of San Diego offers plantains and coconuts, but its bestseller by far is organic bananas and the company is expecting sales increases to continue.
The company currently is adding acreage.
By Si Car Farms
Having posted explosive growth in the past several years, SiCar Farms of Mission, Texas, is opening a new state of the art facility in December 2018. This new facility is expected to handle three times the company’s current production capacity. With a proven record of offering steady and reliable year-round service/delivery of fresh limes, fresh lime juice, lime oils, as well as other fruits and vegetables.
Founded on its ability to partner and build strong, sustainable relationships with national retailers and food service accounts. SiCar Farms anticipates the new facility will position the company to grow exponentially with new customers. “Since inception (2003) in Mission Texas, we have been determined to provide customer loyalty, exceptional service and quality while maintaining integrity throughout the supply chain as a vertically integrated company,” says Luis Gudino, Chief Executive Officer. “To continue maximizing our commitment to our customers and their need for the highest quality fruits and vegetables, we have installed the latest pallet retrieval technology by Westfalia, an Italian warehouse technology company within our new facility. This will ensure our customers will receive the freshest product every time and that all product is handled with cold chain integrity and first-class warehouse productivity.”
The new SiCar Farms facility is located at 6700 South Bentson Road, McAllen, Texas, with quick access to interstate highways. “Our 110,000 square foot facility, is fully equipped with 28 loading doors, over 80,000 square feet of refrigeration, ripening rooms, three-high pallet racking systems, and 12,000 square feet of office-space,” says Dan Edmeier, Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Our new facility increases efficiencies in many ways, for example, reducing over fifty percent of forklift traffic throughout the warehouse. Another key advantage is its location. Its locale on the overweight corridor allows us to maximize our container weight and provide lower costs.”
SiCar Farms is a family business with strong roots in the agricultural industry with solid commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. In addition to the new state-of-the-art warehouse/facility, the company is also making sustainable advances on the grower side. “As producers, we’ve recently joined Fair Trade Certified,” says Gudino. “We are the first lime producers to obtain a Fair Trade Certification and we are honored to play a role in the empowerment of our farm communities.”
by Pear Bureau Northwest
PORTLAND, Ore. – The start of the Northwest pear harvest season kicks off with actress Amy Smart’s new role as official spokesperson for USA Pears. Known for her roles in hit films like Just Friends andThe Butterfly Effect, and her upcoming role in Tyson’s Run, Smart has also established herself as a trusted voice of sustainable living and healthy eating – even tending her own garden at home.
The 2018 harvest of Northwest pears, hand-picked and hand-packed with care by Pacific Northwest growers, is now available in grocery stores. Starting in early August with the picking of Bartlett and Starkrimson pears, the harvest season will last through late September with remaining varieties including Anjou, Bosc and Comice. This year’s harvest is estimated to yield 20.2 million standard boxes (average 44 lbs per box) of pears from Washington’s Wenatchee and Yakima districts and Oregon’s Mid-Columbia and Medford districts.
“Knowing where my food comes from is one of my highest priorities, and when I visited the Pacific Northwest to see the harvest for myself I was incredibly inspired by the pride and dedication of the pear growers,” says Smart. “Harvest time is a special time, and I’m so happy I could see the start of this year’s pear crop before it made its way to stores.”
Smart will be working with USA Pears throughout the 2018-19 pear season to share her favorite pear-inspired recipes, featuring many of the 10 varieties of pears, as well as important tips on how to enjoy pears to the fullest. The videos will correspond mostly to the seasonal promotional themes of Hand-picked Harvest, Holiday Inspiration, and nutrition. For the most part, these videos will be used on social media and in digital ads, as well as shared with retailers.
“We are excited to share our work with Amy Smart with consumers and retailers. Along with our other promotional efforts throughout the season, the videos with Amy Smart will show our commitment to engaging our audience and growing the demand for pears, as well as our ongoing work bringing enthusiasm to the category,” stated Kathy Stephenson, Marketing Communications Director of Pear Bureau Northwest.
The endorsement support was partially paid for by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Oregon Department of Agriculture on behalf of the Oregon State pear growers.
About Pear Bureau Northwest
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 88% of the US commercial fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents close to 900 grower families and partners with outlets throughout the world in an effort to increase overall success with the pear category. The organization provides marketing and merchandising expertise that is customized specifically for each retail organization, using its pear consumer research findings as well as individual store analysis using an in-house data system that measures pear category performance nationwide and third-party research to show retailers how they perform versus their competition.
About Amy Smart
After steady appearances as Alison on the television series Justified, Amy Smart can most recently be seen recurring on the hit CBS series MacGyver. Before that she appeared in the Lifetime Original film Sister Cities, alongside actresses Troian Bellisario, Stana Katic and Michelle Trachtenberg. She has several project that are scheduled to come out next year including Tyson’s Run with Rory Cochrane and Barkhad Abdi, and Brawler with Zach McGowan.
Outside of her acting career, Smart has been involved with a variety of philanthropic organizations. She was a speaker for Heal the Bay, an organization that works on cleaning up the ocean, for seven years. She was also previously named one of “Organic Style” magazine’s “Women with Organic Style”. The award is given to women who do inspiring things, making the world a better place. She presently sits on the board of directors for both the Environmental Media Association and Heal The Bay. She continues to work with the environmental advocacy groups Environment California and Best Friends Animal Society.
By Sarah Jampel, Bon Appetit
Might I be so bold to throw my hat into the ring and call it The Summer of the Donut Peach?
Okay, so maybe it’s a stretch, but I’ve seen more squat, pancaked peaches—which are sweeter, milder, and less fuzzy than their spherical sibs—this year than ever before. What once seemed like a rarity, sold at only the fanciest grocery stores (when Florence Fabricant wrote about “a new kind of white peach” sold at Grace’s Marketplace in 1993, she called the fruit “juicy and luscious” though “peculiar” and “positively deformed”) has become commonplace: crates piled high at the farmers’ market, clamshells for sale at Whole Foods and on Fresh Direct. I love their name, their look, and their feel, and I can’t leave the market without buying at least one for each palm.
With such a funny shape (they’re like the Persian cats of peaches), you might assume there’s some funny business going on with their breeding. But flat peaches aren’t genetically-modified oddities at all: They’re the descendants of wild pan tao (also called peento) peaches from China, which were introduced to the US nearly 150 years ago. It wasn’t until the ‘60s and ‘70s, however, that scientists at Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station hybridized the plants to produce hardier, frost-resistant trees with bigger, sweeter, peachier fruit. They called the fruit, low in acid and high in sugar, the Saturn (you can guess why).
Jerry Frecon, now a horticultural consultant and Rutgers professor emeritus, worked with Dr. Fred Hough to develop Saturn at the Agricultural Experiment Station, then, in the ‘80s, brought the variety to Stark Bro’s Nurseries and Orchards Co. in Missouri, which purchased the license to grow and sell the trees.
When the Stark Bro’s’ license for the Saturn peach expired in the early 2000s, more farmers were able to grow flat peaches than ever before, opening up the market and putting flat peaches in more stores. And since those early days, many more varieties of trademarked flat peaches have been introduced in US markets—Frecon estimates there are 15 to 20 kinds in this country, and many more around the world—as people have grafted and hybridized.
Trucking produce rates set some historic highs during the summer. While rates have declined since then they still remain will above the level of 2017.
For example, Mexican citrus, watermelons and vegetables crossing into the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas were $4800 to $5000 in mid August compared to $7800 to $8500 in the middle of June.
Salinas-Watsonville vegetables and strawberries were grossing $9100 to $10000 in mid June to Baltimore, but has dropped to mostly $8,100 in mid-August.
Washington’s Yakima Valley apples, pears and stone fruit were grossing about $8200 to Boston in mid-June, off from about $7,800 in mid-August.
While rates have come down from mid- and late June peaks, they have stayed high compared to previous years.
Historically, summer produce rates reach a peak in May or June and start tapering off in July. This year was no different. Historic peak rates in June of $2.70 per mile had dropped to $2.59 per mile in July, which includes fuel surcharges. Still the July 2018 produce trucking rates were 25 percent higher than the same period in 2017.
With the close of August no serious truck shortages from major produce shipping areas were being reported. August rates were averaging $2.50 per mile, which was still higher than any period on record prior to this year.
Close observers of truck rates believe rates will continue to remain higher than in past years with reasons ranging from higher wages for drivers, ever increasing truck regulations, and a soaring economy with low unemployment. Additionally, there’s more competition for trucks from dry freight with the improved economy.
With the arrival of fall comes additional demand for equipment due to back-to-school activities, Halloween and demand for perishables from foodservices entities ranging from restaurant chains to school cafeterias. Fall crops ranging from apples to pumpkins and potatoes also increase demand for trucks.
While truck rates typically decline overall in the fall, some observers believe rates will remain higher, perhaps as much as 20 percent for the same time a year ago.
By Sun Belle Inc.
Sun Belle Inc., a leading marketer and distributor of conventional and organic berries, has opened an 82,000-square-foot state of the art refrigerated distribution facility in Miami.
Adjoining Miami International Airport, the facility is also 15 minutes from the port of Miami and close to the Palmetto Expressway, Florida Turnpike and I-95. Sun Belle is using the facility for the fresh berries and other produce the company markets and distributes on behalf of its growers and is providing third party handling for perishables on behalf of other importers and distributors.
“Sun Belle has had Miami operations for more than 16 years,” stated Janice Honigberg, the company founder and president. “This is Sun Belle’s third home in Miami. We bought this facility in early 2017 and built it out to our specifications so we would have enough room for our growing berry business as well as to provide handling services for others.
“Sun Belle Miami operates seven days a week,” Janice added. “We take pride in fulfilling deliveries completely and on time and being responsive to truckers, suppliers and customers alike.”
The facility features a total of nine docks, including 7 refrigerated docks, 4 precoolers, 7 independent coolers, two large refrigerated work rooms, an ample refrigerated dock and dry storage. Access to the docks is off 25th Street; the office and parking is off 72nd Avenue.
Sun Belle’s new facility is Primus Global Food Safety (GFS), Organic and Demeter Biodynamic® certified and operates around the clock. Sun Belle is exploring the efficacy of installing automated blueberry sorting equipment in order to pack bulk berries.
Sun Belle Inc. was established in Washington, DC in 1986. In addition to the Miami facility, Sun Belle operates a 63,000 square foot facility in Jessup, Maryland; a 52,000 square foot facility in Schiller Park, Illinois; and 14,000 square feet of dedicated space within a 50,000 square foot facility in Oxnard, California. The company markets conventional and organic berries, including blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, golden berries, cranberries and red currants, under the Sun Belle® and Green Belle® brands.
From now into 2019 low retail price inflation is anticipated for fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a USDA report. Also, FreshCloud has been introduced by AgroFresh.
In the recently released Food Price report, the department notes fresh vegetable prices fell 0.2 percent from May to June, and now are 0.8 percent less than in June 2017. The USDA reports retail fresh vegetable prices are expected to remain steady with last year, changing between -0.5 to 0.5 percent in 2018 and then increasing 1.5 to 2.5 percent in 2019.
Prices for fresh fruits fell 1.2 percent from May to June but are up 1.9 percent compared with June 2017. The report said that despite citrus prices rising 2.3 percent, prices for apples and bananas fell 0.4 percent, and prices for all other fruits fell 4 percent from May to June.
The USDA forecasts fresh fruit prices to increase 1.5 to 2.5 percent in 2018 and rise 2 to 3 percent in 2019.
The report observes farm level fruit prices are forecast to drop between 2.5 to 3.5 percent and drop another 3 to 4 percent in 2019. Farm-level vegetable prices are forecast to drop between 6 and 7 percent this year and decline an additional 2.5 to 3.5 percent in 2019.
AgroFresh Launches FreshCloud
AgroFresh Solutions Inc. of Philadelphia has launched a new tool to predict the freshness of produce.
Known as the FreshCloud platform, the tool uses data to monitor produce quality through the supply chain, according to a news release.
The release notes the new technology will allow users to predict produce freshness, quality and optimal consumption timing.
AgroFresh recently acquired Verigo, whose technology will help AgroFresh improve fruit quality, leading to less food waste.
“As the world becomes increasingly data-driven, our commitment to high-quality fresh produce requires not only the best chemistry and expertise, but also the best information technology to ensure freshness across the supply chain and increased logistical efficiency to minimize waste,” AgroFresh CEO Jordi Ferre said in the release.
Verigo’s technology forms the foundation of FreshCloud Transit Insights. The acquisition also revamped AgroFresh’s AdvanStore offering, now called FreshCloud Storage Insights.
FreshCloud Predictive Screening, part of the FreshCloud platform, will predict the risk of disorder development during storage by analyzing gene expression at commercial harvest.
Plenty of loading opportunities for apples will be available this season as another large crop is predicted for the new season just getting underway….Meanwhile Frontera Produce Ltd. is celebrating a quarter century of shipping.
Apple shipments for the U.S. 2018-19 season are estimated at 11.5 billion pounds, up less than 1 percent compared with last year.
In its August 10 apple crop report, the USDA forecast Washington state apple shipments at 7.2 billion pounds, down 4 percent from 7.5 billion pounds a year ago.
“In Washington, apple harvest is expected to be of average quality this year,” according to the USDA. “There are some concerns about the hot weather that the crop has been facing so far this year, but producers are prepared to protect the crop from sun damage and have enough water to keep the crop irrigated.”
The USDA reported some New York growers had frost damage during bloom in isolated areas of the state. New York production was rated at 1.3 billion pounds, unchanged from a year ago.
Meanwhile, the USDA said a large crop with good sizing is anticipated by growers in Michigan, with forecast production of 1.175 billion pounds, up 40 percent from 840 million pounds in 2017.
A small crop last year led to a heavy bloom this spring in most Michigan growing regions.
State apple forecasts for this season, in millions of pounds (and last year’s production):
California — 225 (260)
Michigan — 1,175 (840)
New York — 1,300 (same)
North Carolina — 100 (115)
Oregon — 175 (155)
Pennsylvania — 528 (504)
Virginia — 225 (220)
Washington — 7,500 (7,200)
West Virginia — 102 (110)
United States — 11,406 (11,452)
Fronteria Produce
Frontera Produce Ltd. of Edinburg, Texas, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year as the company continues to add more products to its lineup.
The shipper recently partnered with Continental Fresh LLC, Miami, to offer year-round supplies of mangoes and limes. The new partnership adds to Frontera’s Mexican and Peruvian grower relationships by bringing in product from Brazil and Ecuador.
“Moving into the next 25 years, Frontera will continue to advance our business by leaning on our core principle values of integrity, transparency, and excellent communication, that have taken us this far,” says Amy Gates, Vice President of Frontera Produce.
Following a number of years where intermodal and rail shipments of fresh produce have been down, some observers think volume will be increasing at the expense of trucking.
Rising fuel prices and increasing truck rates should make refrigerated shipments by intermodal and rail more competitive, according to a new USDA report.
The first quarter 2018 edition of the USDA’s Agricultural Refrigerated Truck Quarterly, issued in July, reported 2017 investments in refrigerated facilities and technology have increased the long-haul capacity for shipping fresh fruits and vegetables by intermodal and rail.
“Furthermore, increasing fuel costs and a driver shortage for trucks may further increase demand for shipping fresh produce by intermodal and rail,” the publication said.
Rising fuel rates figure to make intermodal and rail more competitive. Diesel prices rose from $2.47 per gallon at the end of 2016 to $2.87 per gallon by the end of 2017. On July 23, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported the average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel in the U.S. was $3.22 a gallon.
The publication cited Tiger Cool Express who feels rising diesel prices make trucks a less competitive option to intermodal and rail since diesel fuel makes up a higher percentage of the variable costs associated with truck operating costs.
Diesel fuel averaged close to $4 per gallon in 2012, the USDA said, which was the peak year for shipments by intermodal and rail.
Later fuel price declines led to decline in intermodal and rail shipments of fruits and vegetables.
Now rising fuel prices could be good news for intermodal and rail, the USDA said.
In addition, strong economic growth in 2017 increased demand for shipments by truck, putting upward pressure on truck rates while decreasing capacity.
2017 availability ranged from adequate to shortage conditions, which potentially will cause some shippers to consider seeking shipments of fresh produce via intermodal or rail, the USDA said.
The USDA said that since 2012, the overall trend for intermodal and rail shipments of fresh fruit and vegetables has been decreasing for shipments originating in California and the Pacific Northwest, registering a 42 percent decrease between 2012 and 2017.
Combined rail and intermodal shipments decreased from 1.6 million tons in 2012 to 937,265 tons in 2017. Between 2016 and 2017, rail shipments decreased 22,055 tons and intermodal shipments decreased 3,230 tons.
The report said the 2014 demise of Cold Train — a major provider of refrigerated railcar service through its partnership with BNSF Railway — cut the availability of intermodal and rail service for fresh produce.
Still, the USDA said the January 2017 announcement by Union Pacific that it had acquired Railex LLC’s refrigerated railcar and cold storage distribution facilities in Delano, CA, Wallula, WA, and Rotterdam, N.Y. could signal more volume for that service.
The report noted that Union Pacific said it would increase the frequency from 3 to 5 days per week for Cold Connect on east-bound departures from California and Washington.
In 2017, the USDA reported intermodal shipments of iceberg and romaine lettuce increased from the previous year. Reported shipments increased 24 percent (10,125 tons) for iceberg lettuce and 28 percent (7,280) for romaine lettuce. On the other hand, shipments of lemons decreased 50 percent (112,230 tons).
Reported rail shipments increased 5 percent (8,925 tons) for potatoes in 2017.
While trucks will always be the most economical option for some shippers, the report said improvements in the refrigerated supply chain for intermodal and rail could make it a more attractive option, particularly for long-haul routes.
“Even if shipments by rail typically take several days longer than by truck, shippers may be willing to trade time for capacity and lower costs if the truck capacity crunch and rising diesel prices persist,” according to the report.