Posts Tagged “feature”
by The Idaho Potato Commission
Eagle, Idaho – The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) kicked off another year of marketing activations by launching one of its two new television commercials during ESPN’s live broadcast of the Boise State University (BSU) versus Oklahoma State University (OSU) football game on Saturday, September 15th. The IPC is a longtime sponsor of BSU and has made it a tradition to debut its new commercial during a nationally televised game.
This year marks the first time the IPC has created two commercials in one year for the Big Idaho® Potato Truck series. The spots feature Farmer Mark, the Big Idaho® Potato Truck along with two other fan favorites…the “Spud Hound” and the 1955 Studebaker. The commercials will air concurrently beginning October 22nd through the beginning of April 2019 on national networks including CNN, Fox News, CNN Headline News and the Food Network. Like last year, they will stream on HULU – reaching folks who prefer to watch TV shows and movies online. The commercials will also air for the first time ever on Access Hollywood, Live with Kelly, The Price is Right and CBS All Access.
“Every year we evaluate the effectiveness of our “Missing” advertising campaign, and it’s evident that the popularity of the commercials and the Big Idaho® Potato Truck is still growing exponentially,” said Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC. “This is an especially unique year for us. We’re launching two new commercials and airing them on programs we’ve never advertised on before allowing us to reach millions of new consumers.”
While both commercials continue to center on the farmer’s ongoing search for the Big Idaho® Potato Truck, they have very different storylines. “First Bite” insightfully recognizes that whenever a meal is served with Idaho® potatoes, the first bite is always the potato. In “Secret Weapon” the farmer uses a Wile E. Coyote-like tactic to try to catch the Big Idaho® Potato Truck.
About The Idaho Potato Commission
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho” seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil, give Idaho® potatoes their unique texture, taste and dependable performance, that differentiates Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states.
A devastating storm described as the worst in 15 years has hit a number of growing areas in Chile. The severe hailstorm is expected to affect at least $200 million in crops.
The Federation of Fruit Producers (Fedefruta) reports Chilean fruit production has been hit across Chile’s central and southern regions, with cherries among the most affected. The large sized hail lasted an amazing 20 to 30 minutes. The worst affected areas in the central O’Higgins region represents 26.5 percent of the Chile’s fruit production. Crops hit hardest include cherries, table and wine grapes, kiwifruit, nectarines, almonds, walnuts, among many others.
The area accounts for 40 percent of the region’s fruit-producing land, or 74, 100 acres, and almost 10 percent of the national total. Cherries and table grapes have received the most damage, followed by stone fruit.
Further south in the country, in the Maule Norte and Ñuble region, which has about 24,700 acres of blueberries, there appears to be significant damage not only from hail, but from heavy rainfall.
Prior to the adverse weather Oppenheimer Group of Vancouver, Canada was expecting normal imports with Chilean peaches, plums and nectarines.
While shipments were going to be limited in December, volume was to ramp up in January and continue in volume into March.
Jac Vandenberg Inc. of Yonkers, NY was giving a similar report.
In calendar year 2017, the USDA reported Chile shipped 66.2 million pounds of peaches, 96.5 million pounds of plums and 97.7 million pounds of nectarines to the U.S.
Those numbers were off compared with calendar year 2016, when Chile sent 80.9 million pounds of peaches, 124.3 million pounds of plums and 119.1 million pounds of nectarines to the U.S.
Acreage of stone fruit has declined in Chile in recent years, with peach and nectarine acreage falling from about 47,400 acres in 2013 to 41,600 acres in 2016.
Peach and nectarine production in Chile declined from 369,000 metric tons in 2014 to 337,000 metric tons in 2016, according to the United National Food and Agriculture Organization.
Plum acreage has dropped from 46,000 acres in 2013, to about 43,000 acres in 2016, according to the FAO. Plum production dipped from 312,000 metric tons in 2013 to 295,000 metric tons in 2016.
Apple outlook
No reports have been issued on how Chile’s apple and pear shipments to the U.S. may be affected, perhaps because its season is later, mainly arriving in the U.S. from March through July.
Prior to the weather event, The USDA projected that Chile will export about 720,000 metric tons of apples in 2018-19 season, down 4 percent from 750,000 metric tons exported in 2017-18.
The U.S. is the top market for Chilean apples.
Chile’s total apple planted area decreased from 92,775 acres in 2013 to about 85,000 acres in 2017. The decline is because apple exports have not been as profitable as other crops such as cherries, walnuts and hazelnuts.
Chilean pear production in 2018-19 totaled 250,000 metric tons after a 3.8 percent decrease in planted area. Chile’s pear exports in 2018-19 were projected to decrease to 127,000 metric tons, a 2.3 percent decrease due to lower than expected production.
It may not be a Magic Bus tour, but how about a CannaBus Tour!
Would you believe a produce industry convention is offering a tour of marijuana growing operations as one its programs.
At the Organic Grower Summit 2018 in Monterey, CA the organization has announced the 2018 CannaBusTour, created in collaboration with the Monterey County Cannabis Industry Association. It will take place on Wednesday, December 12th.
The 2018 OGSCannaBusTour is an opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at the Monterey County cannabis industry. This limited tour includes visits to a state-of-the-art, indoor cannabis growing operation and Indus, a vertically integrated cannabis extraction and manufacturing facility. With the growing, production and consumption of cannabis now legal in California, Monterey County is poised to be a leader in the growing and manufacturing of cannabis and cannabis related products. And as California moves to regulated organic growing of cannabis by 2021, OGS wants to be at the forefront of providing attendees with information and education overview of this burgeoning industry.
The 2018 OGSCannaBusTour is described as an opportunity to connect organic growers and allied service providers with all aspects of the cannabis industry. This is a unique opportunity to give OGS attendees a platform to learn about the future of the cannabis industry, according to the Monterey County Cannabis Industry Association.
The 2018 CannaBusTour is $99 per ticket and attendees must be registered for the Organic Grower Summit. Registration is available on a first-come, first serve opportunity for OGS attendees and there are no refunds. OGS will be held Dec. 12-13 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA . Attendee registration is $499, with discounts available for CCOF members and government and educational members. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to the CCOF Foundation Dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 12.
Registration to OGS includes admittance to the opening reception, educational sessions, keynote presentations, breakfast, lunch and trade show floor. Over 40 sponsors have confirmed their support of OGS.
Onion shipments across the nation are expected to be similar to that of last season (2017).
The USDA reports 2017 shipments were about 6.7 billion pounds, up from about 6.3 billion pounds in 2016.
Of course, loadings will vary by area.
Snake River Produce of Nyssa, OR points to an excellent onion crop with quality and size. While volume in that region was down about 20 percent last year, the company is expecting 30 to 35 percent more onion shipments than a year ago and 10 to 15 percent above normal.
Snake River Produce grows and ships red, white and yellow onions, plus a sweet variety called Snake River Sweets. Shipments will continue until April.
Baker & Murakami Produce Co., Ontario, OR., is reporting a similar onion crop and it sees normal volume for it yellow, red and white onions.
The Snake River region is known for its large onions, which are particularly popular with foodservice operators.
Sunset Produce LLC of Prosser, WA will be shipping its storage onions until mid-May. The company has yellow, red and white onions, sweet onions and some shallots.
National Onion Inc., of Las Cruces, N.M., is a shipper and broker of onions and during the winter months brokers red, white and yellow onions from Onions 52 Inc., of Syracuse, Utah. The company is reporting good quality.
Fagerberg Produce Inc. of Eaton, CO will have less volume this season due to weather factors during the growing period last summer. Reporting good quality, Fagerberg will be shipping red, white and yellow onions into March.
Western Idaho – Malheur County, Oregon onions – grossing about $4700 to Dallas.
Romaine lettuce shipments have been dead in the water since the FDA and CDC began investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. However, this is changing since the location of the outbreak has been identified.
The agencies say it’s likely linked to romaine lettuce grown in California this fall. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also coordinating with U.S. agencies as they investigate a similar outbreak in Canada.
The majority of California romaine lettuce is shipped out of the Salinas Valley (Monterey County), the Santa Maria District (Santa Barbara County) and Oxnard (Ventura County). These areas would be nearing the end of their shipping season anyway, but have been halted the last couple of weeks as the government sought to identify the source of contamination.
Expect lettuce shipments out of the desert areas of California (Imperial Valley) and Arizona (Yuma), to soar with the news they are not suspected of having any of the contaminated romaine.
Yuma lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower shipments – grossing about $8400 to New York City.
The FDA has been conducting a traceback investigation, reviewing shipping records and invoices to trace the supply of romaine from the place where ill people were exposed to the place where that romaine was grown.
Preliminary traceback information indicates that ill people in several areas across the country were exposed to romaine lettuce harvested in California. Specifically, current evidence indicates this romaine was harvested in the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California, according to a FDA news release.
As of November 28th, the specific California counties FDA is including in this region are:
- Monterey
- San Benito
- San Luis Obispo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Cruz
- Ventura
Additional counties may be added as the FDA traceback develops.
Romaine harvested from locations outside of the California regions identified by the traceback investigation does not appear to be related to the current outbreak.
There is no recommendation for consumers or retailers to avoid using romaine lettuce that is certain to have been harvested from areas outside of the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. For example, romaine lettuce harvested from areas that include, but are not limited to the desert growing region near Yuma, the California desert growing region near Imperial County and Riverside County, the state of Florida, and Mexico, does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. Additionally, there is no evidence hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine is related to the current outbreak.
During this new stage of the investigation, it is vital that consumers and retailers have an easy way to identify romaine lettuce by both harvest date and harvest location. Labeling with this information on each bag of romaine or signage in stores where labels are not an option would easily differentiate for consumers romaine from unaffected growing regions, the FDA release said.
FDA Recommendation:
Based on discussions with producers and distributors, romaine lettuce entering the market will now be labeled with a harvest location and a harvest date or labeled as being hydroponically- or greenhouse-grown. If it does not have this information, you should not eat or use it.
If romaine lettuce does have this labeling information, we advise avoiding any product from the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. Romaine lettuce from outside those regions need not be avoided.
Romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine also does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. There is no recommendation for consumers or retailers to avoid using romaine harvested from these sources.
DeltaTrak® of Pleasanton, CA has introduced two new FlashLink Real-Time Mini Loggers.
The new FlashLink In-Transit Real-Time Mini Logger is a cost-effective real-time logger providing temperature, humidity and location information utilizing GSM cellular technology. Shipments are tracked worldwide using DeltaTrak’s ColdTrak 24/7 cloud service. Reliable up-to-the-minute information can be accessed securely anywhere with user login and password on a standard web browser using a PC or any internet-ready device.
Using the same cloud-based dashboard, the new FlashLink Reusable Real-Time Mini Data Logger monitors crops in the field and truck cool down. It tracks temperature that crops are exposed to in the field and automated alerts notify personnel so they can take immediate measures to prevent freeze damage. For truck cool down, the logger alarm limits can be set to loading temperature and an alert will be sent so that dock supervisors know which trucks are ready, and improve efficiency by streamlining the loading process.
“The FlashLink Real-Time Mini Loggers help our customers closely track temperature before it reaches a dangerous level,” according to Frederick Wu, President and CEO of DeltaTrak. “and, are cost-effective real-time data loggers that are easy to integrate into our customers’ existing SOP’s (standard operating procedures).
For the in-transit logger, DeltaTrak offers two models, one for most domestic shipments with a 15-day logging duration and data uploaded every 10 minutes, and a second model for longer trips with a 60-day logging duration and data uploaded every 60 minutes, ideal for export shipments. For the reusable logger, shippers can program their own trip duration and logging intervals.
The ColdTrak web portal provides enhanced features and allows growers and shippers the option to upload documentation and archive data for FSMA, HACCP and regulatory compliance. Customers can customize high/low alarm settings, and alerts are automatically sent when out-of-range conditions occur.
The FlashLink In-Transit Real-Time Mini Logger is mounted on a highly visible shipping card which makes the units easy to locate inside a trailer or container. Each unit comes charged and ready-to-use. Shippers can simply start the logger with the one-button activation and place it in their loads. The FlashLink Reusable Real-Time Mini Data Logger is enclosed in a durable case which protects the logger from external elements either on the field or in a truck.
The FlashLink Real-Time Mini Loggers are a great solution for anyone that needs up-to-the-minute information on the temperature of their products.
About DeltaTrak®
DeltaTrak® is a leading innovator of cold chain management, environmental monitoring and food safety solutions for the food, produce, life science, and chemical industries.
Imported citrus from Morocco is now arriving by boat on the East Coast, while imported melons are about to take center stage as the domestic season comes to a close.
The season’s first breakbulk shipment of fresh Moroccan citrus to arrive in the United States took place November 7th at the port of Wilmington, DE.
The M.V. Belgie Reefer, a specialized refrigerated vessel delivered the citrus to port of Wilmington customer Fresh Fruit Maroc.
The Belgie Reefer was carrying over 574,800 boxes of fresh clementines. Wilmington is a major port of entry and distribution center for the seasonal importation of fresh Moroccan citrus, including Nour and Nadorcott clementine varieties.
During this season which runs through March, the port expects to receive about 12 shiploads of fruit from the Moroccan Atlantic port of Agadir. The arrival of the Belgie Reefer marks the 19th consecutive year the port has been receiving express, breakbulk shipments for Fresh Fruit Maroc.
Cargo is stored in the port’s 800,000-square-foot on-dock refrigerated warehouse complex, one of North America’s largest facilities, before distribution to markets throughout the United States and Canada. The port of Wilmington will handle over 10.7 million boxes of Moroccan citrus in the 2018-19 season.
Imported Melons
Domestic melon shipments are winding down and now U.S. importers are looking to the offshore season. Much of the winter melon imports come from production areas in Mexico as well as Guatemala. Offshore fruit is expected to arrive on the West Coast in early December, a little behind the first East Coast arrivals.
Vision Produce Company of Los Angeles starts its Central American season from Guatemala in early December on the West Coast and will continue through April. The company is expecting steady supplies.
Both California and northern Mexico have experienced some adverse growing conditions, which reduced shipments and is increasing demand for imported melons as the new season gets underway.
Union Pacific will be acquiring 1,000 new high-tech refrigerated boxcars and may increase that total to 1,600 if needed. The purchase will result in the largest equipment acquisition in company history, costing $250,000 per car. The announcement was made recently at the Idaho Grower Shipper Association’s 90th annual convention in Sun Valley, ID.
It was pointed out the Idaho potato industry has historically relied heavily on rail transportation for shipments destined to major markets such as Chicago or the Northeast. For regions such as these, the additional reefers are greatly needed. Union Pacific has a fleet of aging, antiquated reefers that are woefully unable to meet existing demand. Current equipment is at least 40 years old, and Idaho potato shipments have increased dramatically in the past four decades.
Thrasher was one of seven panelists participating in the workshop that addressed some of the major transportation challenges faced by the Idaho potato industry. The panel was moderated by Derek Peterson of Wilcox Fresh, who is a member of the IGSA board of directors.
During the convention other companies aired concerns for serious problems facing the trucking industry and its inability to hire enough drivers. It was pointed out nationwide trucking industry is 50,000 drivers short. A major factor is drivers approaching retirement age. The average age of long-haul truck drivers is now 65 and the industry is not being successful in either attracting or retaining younger drivers.
Contributing to the decline is the current robust economy is providing more attractive options to younger drivers or to younger workers who might otherwise have considered long-haul trucking. There also are higher paying jobs in construction or in the oil fields, which often offer workers the advantage of going home to their families at night rather than being on the road for a week or more at a stretch.
A panel at the convention rehashed many age old ways to make truck driving a more attractive option for new drivers as well as ways to reduce turnover. It was pointed out shippers could make life easier for drivers hauling fresh produce by treating the drivers with more respect, providing clean, comfortable facilities for them while they are waiting to be loaded or unloaded, reducing wait times, compensating them for long waits and providing adequate truck parking.
It also was suggest that reducing the age for interstate commercial truck drivers to 18 would help.
South Texas vegetables are improving, plus an update on how Argentina lemon imports are shaping up.
Texas vegetable shipments have gotten off to a rocky start due to weather factors, but shippers see volume improving, although it may December before that happens.
Most of the Lower Grande Valley and the Winter Garden/Uvalde growing regions in Central Texas received a lot of rain the past two months, and delayed plantings. Wet field also have hindered harvests. It has resulted in a number of vegetables getting off to a slow start.
Texas cabbage shipments are expected to be good, in part because of reduced volume in Florida and Georgia resulting from hurricane damage.
Frontera Produce Ltd. in Edinburg, TX ships cilantro, chili peppers, calabaza and cabbage and has noted its challenges with the weather, but says crops and loadings have rebounded. Quality is reported good.
Frontera started shipping jalapeño, anaheim and serrano peppers, as well as calabaza squash in mid October. During the past four years the company has gradually increased its chili pepper production, and this year that trend continues. Frontera is now starting its Texas cabbage season.
Grow Farms Texas LLC of Donna reports Mexico’s prime vegetable growing region in Culiacan has been spared damage from a series of storms, but hot pepper production just to the south were not as lucky.
Argentina Lemon Imports
Argentina produce company Latin Lemon has pointed out the country’s return to the U.S., which last year reopened for the South American country after a 17-year hiatus. Latin Lemon reports the first season had gone very well, despite the strict export protocol, while nearly 10,000 metric tons (MT) of lemons were exported to the U.S.
Argentina took advantage of an eight-week window after California’s season, but before the heavy Mexican volumes. The plan was and is to slowly and cautiously build up volumes. Argentina currently exports nearly 20 percent of its lemon production.
By Allen Lund Company
La Cañada Flintridge Calif. – Since 2004, the Allen Lund Company has participated in Navidad en el Barrio. Over 75,000 people are served annually through the efforts of Navidad, which was established in 1972 by Danny Villanueva, former NFL kicker. “It is overwhelming to watch and read about the increasing homelessness in Southern California. The efforts of Navidad en el Barrio makes a small dent in the assistance to the most under-served families,” said Nora Trueblood, Director of Marketing at the Allen Lund Company.
Kenny Lund, Vice President adds, “My mom and dad instilled in us the value and importance of giving back and we as a company completely embrace that concept. Navidad en el Barrio is such an important effort and one that we are able to actually see the impact, by participating in the distribution of the dinners and meeting the grateful families. We plan to continue our commitment to Navidad en el Barrio for years to come.”
Navidad accepts and utilizes donations to assemble food baskets containing chicken, cheese, canned goods and various produce items for a hearty and healthy family holiday meal. ALC provides logistical support as well as produce donated by customers. The process of organizing donations of perishable products or food items from growers/shippers for the annual holiday food baskets has already started.
ALC is reaching out to shippers in the Western U.S. that often ship items which could be used to complete a meal for these families’ Christmas dinner. The logistics and transportation of the donations during the week of December 10-15, 2018 will be provided by the Allen Lund Company with meals being delivered on Saturday, December 15th. Donations are delivered via ALC to a warehouse location in Los Angeles and then delivered to agencies throughout Southern California for distribution to families. All donations must be usable beyond the date of distribution.
About Allen Lund Company:
Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and over 500 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 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 www.allenlund.com.