 By USApple
Falls Church, VA — How do you like your daily apple? Do you slice a crisp Fuji at lunchtime and dip it in a side of nut butter? Perhaps you end your day on a sweet note with a warm piece of apple crumble? This apple season, USApple wants to know how consumers enjoy their #AppleADay.
During National Apple Month (Oct.) and through Nov. 3, USApple is taking to social media encouraging individuals to share comments, posts, pictures and videos answering how they take their #AppleADay. Each person who shares how they #AppleADay on the USApple.org website through an online form, or on social media with the #AppleADay hashtag enters to win gift cards or industry prizes.
From sliced to sauced, from blended to baked, as a morning meal or mid-night snack, USApple seeks to create the world’s longest list of ways to enjoy an #AppleADay. Individuals can submit their reasons a usapple.org/appleaday.
Responses to date include:
- “I make crockpot baked apples.”
- “Straight from the tree.”
- “Every day with some cheese and crackers.”
- “Apple slices, almond butter, cinnamon and oats.”
- “I use it in my smoothies with avocados.”
- “I always eat a fresh apple at lunch every day and apple crisp at least once a week. Apples are a staple in our house no matter which way we fix it.”
Read other responses at: usapple.org/appleaday-results.
“Our industry and the broader wellness community are always encouraging people to eat an apple a day, and an apple a day can look different for everyone,” said Korenna Wilson, Director of Consumer Health and Media Relations, USApple. “We want to spend peak harvest season engaging with consumers online to see just how people enjoy their favorite apples and show that it’s far from boring, or the same. Our growing list will give all of us new ideas to fit in that apple a day.”
About USApple
U.S. Apple Association is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business. More information on the organization is available at USApple.org.
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California produce rates have been showing strength with an increased demand for refrigerated trucks in areas ranging from the Salinas and San Joaquin Valleys to Santa Maria and down south in Ventura County. The increases have generally been around one to five percent.
With the official arrival of fall occurring September 22d, which is the arrival of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. It also means the transition of many produce shipping areas, if not from one hemisphere to another, but at least from one country to another, or in some cases, especially in the Western U.S., shifting locations in the same state or a neighboring state.
California certainly is the best example of the changing season.
As Watsonville strawberry shipments decline the red berry’s volume is now increasing to the south in Ventura County. In California’s Central San Joaquin Valley, nearly 900 truck loads of cantaloupe are being shipped weekly from the Westside District, but this will soon be in a seasonal decline. At the same time, very light loadings of melons have started from Central and Western Arizona and are increasing. California honeydew volume already is in a seasonal decline with the new season barely underway in Central Arizona and will start in Western Arizona in the next week or so.
San Joaquin Valley table grapes is probably the state’s single biggest volume item averaging around 1750 truck loads weekly. The combined volume of head lettuce and romaine from the Salinas Valley has recently had similar volume to grapes, but lettuce volume will start sliding soon, to eventually give away to desert shipping areas in California and Arizona. Salinas also is offering around 600 loads of celery per week. To the south in Kern County, carrots are totaling about 750 loads.
Salinas vegetables – grossing about $5100 to Chicago; San Joaquin Valley fruit – grossing about $6200 to Baltimore.
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 By Summer Citrus from South Africa
CITRUSDAL, South Africa — Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) is finishing the season strong with the two final scheduled vessels set to arrive with Navels and Easy Peelers as well as the first shipment of the popular Midknight variety into the United States. The last conventional vessel will arrive to the Port of Philadelphia the week of October 9th.
With sophisticated logistics services and consolidated resources, SCSA has been able to maintain steady movement of fruit throughout the season. SCSA continues to provide the freshest and sweetest citrus varieties with their Midknight crop arriving at its peak of season with the last harvest of Navels and Easy Peelers entering the US with these final two vessels.
“We have established a unique collaboration with incredible logistics partners who are equally committed to meeting USDA requirements. Without dependability and service excellence from Seatrade who provides our dedicated cargo vessels as well as FPT Group who manages our Capetown loading facility, we would not be able to execute such a consistently strong program all season long,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. “In addition, we are fortunate to work closely with the government bodies involved in the pre-clearance process for our fruit, including USDA/APHIS, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as well as the Perishable Product Export Control Board. All of these groups play a significant role in maintaining a well-managed and successful program year after year.”
“2017 has been another exciting growth year for the summer citrus category and we’ve been pleased that our group has been able to increase our support of US retail partners,” Conradie added. “I’ve enjoyed the 17th season and hope to replicate for years to come!”
About Summer Citrus from South Africa
Summer Citrus from South Africa represents the group of South African citrus growers who consolidate their logistics, marketing and sales efforts to bring the finest citrus fruit to market during the U.S. summer season. Established in 1999 and re-branded for expanded marketing efforts in 2016, the group provides Navels, Midknights, East Peelers, Star Ruby Grapefruit and Cara-Cara oranges across the globe.
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Produce related company acquisitions seem to pick up as the economy improves and here are just three examples of moves by operations on both coasts of the U.S. From Premier Citrus in Florida, to the Cold Storage Co. in Oregon and Volm Cos. in Washington state, expansions have occurred either through buy-outs are building new facilities.
Premier Citrus of Vero Beach, FL has acquired Greene River Marketing, also based in Vero Beach.
The acquisition allows Premier Citrus to expand its fruit volume and return marketing of its domestic fruit back in-house.
DNE World Fruit, of Ft. Pierce, FL was acquired in February by Wonderful Citrus, previously marketed Premier’s domestic fruit the past three seasons. Greene River will continue operating under the same name this season, but will eventually transition into part of Premier Citrus Marketing.
The purchase means Premier will be the largest domestic marketer in the Indian River growing region.
Oregon Cold Storage Opens
Cold Storage Co. of Salem, OR has opened its second facility in Salem., with 6 million cubic feet of new cold storage capacity. The 94-year-old, family-owned refrigerated warehousing company’s newest facility is in the Mill Creek Corporate Center in Salem. The cold storage is 176,000-square-feet. The 34-acre, 26,000-pallet operation will serve as a hub for food processors
With the second facility in Salem coming online, Henningsen now offers over 60 million total cubic feet of temperature controlled space in 11 facilities across the United States.
Washington Distribution Center Opens
Volm Cos. Inc., based in Antigo, WI, has opened a new 90,000-square-foot facility Pasco, WA. The new distribution facility is located less than two miles from the former location. The facility houses warehouse space for inventory, LENO manufacturing equipment, equipment and parts area as well as increased office space for the growing business. Volm came to the Tri-Cities area in 2007 through an acquisition.
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California prune shipments this season are expected to make a major rebound from recent years of fighting adverse weather….Also, the bad news continues to pile for the Florida citrus industry.
A whopping 99 percent increase in California prune shipments is expected from the 2017 harvest that was completed in mid September. A total of 105,000 tons, should be shipped compared to only 52,851 tons from the 2016 crop, The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service believes the prune industry has returned to a normal size harvest. The September harvest completion was a little later than usual to a delayed start due to weather.
At the same time weather conditions in recent years has created challenges for prune growers, but the trees are reported rebounding this year.
California is the world’s largest producer of prunes, accounting for 40 percent of the world’s supply and nearly of all the supply in the U.S.
Florida Orange Juice Supplies Suffering
Some of Florida’s citrus growing regions suffered total losses of some groves as a result Hurricane Irma hitting the heart of the growing region. The possible health of the industry could be threated with some groves completely destroyed, resulting in damage that will not only send prices higher.
The hurricane could not have come at a worst time as the harvest was just starting. Losses of many citrus grove operations in Southwestern Florida range from 70 to 100 percent. While some citrus trees were stripped of folage, the aftermath is grim as the hot sun barring down on exposed tree roots could threaten recovery of trees.
Other major citrus producers are Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico. However, Mexican producers are recovering from Hurricane Katia and the recent earthquake in Mexico. It is estimated up to 90 per cent of the fruit from citrus groves in Southwest and Central Florida are used for juice.
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by Mann Packing Company
SALINAS, Calif. – Mann Packing, an industry leading supplier of premium fresh vegetables, broke ground in August on its new processing facility in Gonzales, California. The groundbreaking ceremony featured company representatives, local government officials and business leaders.
Headquartered in Salinas, California, Mann’s selected the City of Gonzales for its 130,000 square foot expansion project because of its convenient location and zoned industrial area. The company has a further land base at the same location to accommodate future expansions. 250 people will be employed at the new facility.
Sixty-five percent of the company’s manufacturing volume will relocate from Salinas to the Gonzales facility. Mann’s location at 1250 Hansen Street in Salinas will continue to process fresh-cut vegetables, but will mainly serve as the company’s central warehouse, cooling and shipping facility.
Construction of the facility is targeted for completion in early 2018, with production beginning in spring. The facility was designed with the goal of achieving electric sustainability and will utilize a windmill turbine to supply energy for heating and cooling.
“We are proud to announce our new home in Gonzales and excited to be part of this thriving business community,” said Lorri Koster, chairman & CEO at Mann’s. “This project represents the beginning of a partnership and a culmination of years of planning to create a facility which will serve as an anchor for the company’s fresh processing needs,” she added.
About Mann Packing Company
Founded in 1939, Mann Packing is an industry leading, third-generation supplier of premium fresh vegetables. Headquartered in Salinas, Mann’s is one of the largest suppliers of western vegetables, Broccolini® and sugar snap peas in North America. The firm holds the distinguished Women’s Owned Business Certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council – the most widely recognized and respected certification in the United States for women’s business enterprises. Leading the way in product innovation, environmental sustainability and green supply chain management practices, Mann Packing is consistently vigilant in food safety, employee wellness and quality assurance, making for one of the most trusted brands in the industry.
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Peruvian “grass” (asparagus) imports by the U.S. will be peaking soon. At the same time in Wisconsin, a Spudmobile is touring the Midwest as the Badger state potato season gets underway.
During the past five years Peru has accounted for about 40 percent of the world’s supply of asparagus and export of “grass” the year around to the United States, although some months are much heavier than others. The lowest volume occurs during February and March and usually peaks during October, November and December.
The U.S. imported over 10 millions pounds per month of Peruvian asparagus from May through December in 2016. However, it topped 20 million pounds for the final four months of the year. During December nearly 30 million pounds of “grass” was imported from Peru.
By contrast, imported asparagus from Mexico has huge shifts with February and March close to 70 million pounds each month compared to supplies dwindling to 10 million pounds or fewer the last four months of the year.
The United States imported nearly 475 million pounds of fresh asparagus in 2016, which put it in a virtual tie with 2014 for most asparagus imported in the past five years.
By Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
Antigo, Wisconsin -New crop Wisconsin potatoes are hitting the market and Trig’s stores aren’t missing a beat in letting people know. The popular Wisconsin retail chain kicked off their Wisconsin potatoes promotion 2th by picking spuds at the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station for the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry. On September 23rd, the Spudmobile begans its tour of all the Trigâ’s stores starting in Rhinelander and then continuing that afternoon at the Eagle River store.
Through hands-on exhibits and eye-catching graphics, Spudmobile visitors will learn how farmers are stewards of the land and how they incorporate the latest technologies into their agricultural practices. When visiting the Spudmobile, guests will learn about various varieties of potatoes grown in Wisconsin, how they are planted and harvested, the nutritional facts about potatoes and some statistics about America’s favorite vegetable. Kids will be completely engaged as they play games on the interactive touch table and the Field to Fork exhibits.
The Wisconsin Spudmobile was developed by WPVGA, which is a non-profit organization that represents and promotes the State’s 300 potato and vegetable grower members and affiliates. The Spudmobile makes frequent appearances at locations throughout the Midwest including stops at schools, community events and retailers who provide Wisconsin potatoes to their customers.
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In a new report consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has risen significantly since November 2008 compared with processed fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, a look back is taken of the disastrous season in South Carolina for peach shipments.
Wells Fargo reports consumption of fresh fruits has grown 16.2 percent and consumption of fresh vegetables has grown 20.6 percent, compared to processed fruits and vegetables, which grew 9.9 percent during the same time period. The report said processed fruits and vegetables are sold in the freezer aisle and as canned goods, according to the report by Eugenio J. Aleman, senior economist for company.
Consumers have “rationally reacted to much higher prices on the processed side in relation to the fresh side,” Aleman said in a story published recently by the Wall Street Journal. “In relative terms, fresh fruits and vegetables are cheaper today than processed fruits and vegetables are.”
Fresh fruit and vegetable prices were trending upward leading into the 2008 recession and have remained relatively static since. However, prices for processed fruits and vegetables are higher now than at any time before the recession.
Acknowledging it is difficult to know whether price-consciousness or health-consciousness is driving the increase in consumption, the study notes younger consumers especially have shifted more toward fresh food consumption. For those under 40 years old, fresh vegetable consumption has increased by 52 percent over the last 10 years.
However, a decrease in price for processed produce could have consumers looking more toward their pocketbooks than their health.
Titan Peach Shipments
Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, SC, the largest peach grower on the East Coast, suffered a $30 million loss when temperatures dropped to 17 and 22 degrees March 15 and 16, according to Daryl Johnston, vice president for sales and marketing. He said Titan lost 80 to 85 percent of its peach crop to the freeze.
This includes 6,100 acres of peaches in production stretching over 100 square miles in three counties. Titan normally grows more peaches than the entire state of Georgia, “the Peach State.”
Looking back, Titan was loading 12 truckloads of peaches in mid July, when it would normally pack 100 to 150 truckloads at the height of the season. The peach shipper lost all but 10 to 15 percent of its crop.
Since 2001, Titan has increased peach acreage by 400 percent.
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Here’s a shipping outlook for dates and various nuts coming out of California.
A bumper crop of California date shipments is seen by some coming out the Southern California desert region, with yields reported to be 20 percent higher than last season.
Harvest got underway with the beginning of September. Among the major California date shippers are Hadley Date Gardens of Thermal, Atlas Produce and Distribution of Bakersfield, and Sunsweet Growers Inc. of Yuba City.
Walnut and Almond Shipments
California grows and ships nearly all walnuts in the U.S. and has 315,000 bearing acres due to the region’s mild climate and deep fertile soils providing ideal growing conditions.
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LINCOLN PARK, MI. — Carrier Transicold of Detroit is commemorating 50 years of serving eastern Michigan’s transport refrigeration providers, those vital links of the “cold-chain” that safely deliver food and other refrigerated essentials to supermarkets, restaurants, food service operations and more.
On Septrmber 16, the dealership celebrated its golden anniversary with customers
and employees at an open house at its facility located at 1180 John A Papalas Drive in
Lincoln Park. Carrier Transicold of Detroit is part of the North American dealer network
of Carrier Transicold, a leading provider of equipment and services for refrigerated
transport and cold chain visibility.
“Our dealership was built on the principles of respecting customers and providing
them exceptional service at a fair price,” said Mark Sparkman, president and owner of
the Carrier Transicold of Detroit, which was founded in 1967 by his father, Earl
Sparkman, and uncle, John Sparkman.
“We are incredibly proud that this formula has sustained us and helped us grow over five decades. Our founders, our loyal employees and our great customers deserve the credit for our continued success.”
Established as Transport Refrigeration Service by the now-retired Sparkman
brothers, the operation was among the earliest to join the Carrier Transicold North
America dealer network in the 1970s.
“Carrier Transicold of Detroit is an important member of the Carrier Transicold
family and we are delighted they’ve achieved this half-century milestone,” said Tom
Ondo, vice president and general manager, Truck, Trailer, Rail Americas, Carrier
Transicold. “Mark Sparkman has been with the company for 37 of those 50 years, giving
him an exceptional understanding of all facets of the business, while establishing
outstanding relationships with his customers and team.”
Since 2006 Carrier Transicold of Detroit has operated out of its current 30,000
square-foot facility, where it sells, installs and services truck, trailer and shipping
container refrigeration units that help to preserve and protect perishable goods as they
move from farm to fork. The dealership has 28 employees, including 14 service
technicians, and it operates six mobile units enabling 24/7 emergency service.
Carrier Transicold of Detroit has been consistently recognized for outstanding
performance by Carrier Transicold, having been named Dealer of the Year five times and achieving Carrier Transicold’s NextLevel2 Platinum Award for customer satisfaction,
business investment, service proficiency, sales performance and growth every year
since the award was established.
As part of its community support initiatives, Carrier Transicold of Detroit is a participant in Carrier Transicold’s national program in support of the Feeding America® network, funded by a $150,000 grant from United Technologies Corporation. Through this program, Carrier Transicold of Detroit is installing transport refrigeration units on vehicles used by qualifying food bank operations serving the Detroit metropolitan area
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