Posts Tagged “feature”
by Joe Zemba, La Junta Tribune-Democrat
The family farmers of the Rocky Ford Growers Association (RFGA) started planting cantaloupe seeds only recently. Those amazingly sweet and juicy Rocky Ford Cantaloupes will start rolling into grocery stores across Colorado and surrounding states in mid-July.
The family farmers of the Rocky Ford Growers Association (RFGA) started planting cantaloupe seeds the week of April 17th. Those amazingly sweet and juicy Rocky Ford Cantaloupes will start rolling into grocery stores across Colorado and surrounding states in mid-July. The ripest cantaloupes are picked daily through the growing season and will go from field to grocery store in about 12 hours.
RFGA members Knapp Farms and Proctor Produce kicked off the planting season during what will be a very busy couple of weeks in Rocky Ford as all eight member farms plant their cantaloupe fields. The farm fields have been prepped with a plastic mulch to reduce evaporation, and to provide a barrier between the moist ground and the cantaloupe to keep them from getting wet and rotting. A planter pokes in cantaloupe seeds about every foot, where they’ll grow into sprawling green vine-like plants that produce those world-famous Rocky Ford melons by late July.
“These amazingly sweet, juicy melons are available for only a couple of months a year. For generations, people have waited each July for the harvest to hit the stores and the farmers markets. It’s great to get started on the 2017 season,” said Rocky Ford Growers Association president Michael Hirakata.
The Rocky Ford region grows the sweetest cantaloupe thanks to a perfect combination of blazing hot days and cool nights, along with the fresh, clear Arkansas River water that irrigates the valley. The Rocky Ford Growers Association members are family-owned farms, several of which are being operated by the 5th and 6th generations.
by CMI Orchards
Wenatchee, WA – CMI Apricot growers have reported this year’s crop will be coming off the trees later than last year due to a colder spring. This year’s crop should be harvested around July 2.
The Washington State apricot season is generally short with shipments ending in July.
Although the highly anticipated Washington State grown season of apricots is short (month of July), consumer interest for this delicious and nutritious treat continues to grow. Versatile and delicious, apricots find many ways into a number of recipes. Whether sliced in a summer salad, breakfast cereal, adding them to pancake batter, preparing an apricot glazed cooked carrots, or numerous apricot/chicken recipes.
According to George Harter, VP of Marketing for CMI Orchards, “the cool nights and warm daytime temperatures in the Columbia River Valley really help bring out the extra sweet flavor or our apricots.”
Nutritionally, apricots are rich in many ways. Apricots are an excellent source of vitamin A, 100g providing 64% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Vitamin A plays a critical role in maintaining healthy vision, neurological function, healthy skin, and more. Vitamin A, like all antioxidants, is involved in reducing inflammation through fighting free radical damage. Consuming a diet high in antioxidants is a way to naturally slow aging. Additionally, apricots are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium and manganese.
About CMI Orchards
CMI Orchards is one of Washington State’s largest growers, shippers and packers of premium quality apples, pears, cherries, apricots and organics. Based in Wenatchee, WA, CMI Orchards delivers outstanding fruit across the U.S.A. and exports to over 60 countries worldwide.
Washington Cherry Shipments
Spring bloom for both Washington cherries the fast approaching season and apples in the fall for the 2017-18 season are about 10 days behind normal timing and three weeks behind last year
Cherry harvest is expected to begin for the company in mid June.
A Dirty Dozen list has been once again released by The Environmental Working Group, which has prompted industry objections that the list has been discredited by scientists, is not based upon risk and has now been shown to potentially discourage consumption of organic and conventional fruits and vegetables.
“In light of new science and information about how safety fears are impacting low income consumers, it is concerning that EWG still releases a Dirty Dozen list in 2017,” Teresa Thorne, executive director of the Alliance for Food and Farming, said in a news release.
“If EWG truly cares about public health, it will stop referring to popular produce items that kids love as “dirty” and move toward positive, science-based information that reassures consumers and promotes consumption.”
The EWG said strawberries in 2017 remain at the top of the list of the “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, with spinach moving to second place, according to a news release. The list ranks of conventionally grown produce with the most pesticide residues, according to the group.
After strawberries and spinach, the 2017 Dirty Dozen list includes nectarines, apples, peaches, celery, grapes, pears, cherries, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers and potatoes. The group released its first Dirty Dozen list in 1993.
“Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is essential no matter how they’re grown, but for the items with the heaviest pesticide loads, we urge shoppers to buy organic,” Sonya Lunder, EWG senior analyst, said in the release. It is especially important to reduce young children’s exposures to pesticides, she said in the release.
The group’s Clean 15 list of produce least likely to contain pesticide residues includes sweet corn, avocados, pineapples, cabbage, onions, frozen sweet peas, papayas, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, honeydew melon, kiwis, cantaloupe, cauliflower and grapefruit, according to a news release.
Industry Fights Back
“Any report that tells people to avoid eating apples is giving harmful advice,” said Jim Bair, U.S. Apple Association president and CEO, in a statement. “Instead, we should be more concerned with increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables.”
Bair said the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Dietary Guidelines for Americans all advise consumers to eat more fruit.
The industry-backed Alliance for Food and Farming said it has requested reporters view the Dirty Dozen list in the context of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Report, the report that EWG uses to help create its list.
“This report shows that when pesticide residues are found on foods, they are nearly always at levels below the tolerances set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” the USDA said in its 2015 annual report. Over 99% of the products sampled through PDP had residues below the EPA tolerances, according to the report.
The alliance said an analysis by a toxicologist with the University of California’s Personal Chemical Exposure Program concluded that a child could eat excessive quantities of fruits and vegetables and suffer no effects from pesticide residues. For strawberries, a child could eat 181 servings or 1,448 strawberries in a day and still not have any effects from pesticide residues, Thorne said in the release.
California grape shipments should be similar to a year ago despite acreage facing a small decline…..Looking down the road a piece, New Jersey produce shipments should be good if favorable weather continues.
Table grape acreage accounted for 123,000 of California’s 2016 total grape acreage of 897,000 acres, or about 13.7 percent of the total, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture-U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual survey on grape acreage.
Total grape acres were down 2.3 percent from 918,000 in 2015, according to the report, released April 20.
Table grape acreage was down 0.8% from the 124,000 reported in 2015, but it was 2,000 more acres or about 1.7% more than 2014.
Leading varieties, and their acreage in 2016 (and 2015), were:
- Flame seedless, 15,499 acres in 2016 (16,530);
- Crimson seedless, 9,387 acres in 2016 (10,564);
- Red globes, 7,923 acres in 2016 (9,644);
- Scarlett Royal, 7,254 acres in 2016 (6,706);
- Sugraone, 5,069 acres in 2016 (5,108);
- Autumn King, 6,111 acres in 2016 (5,386);
- Autumn Royal, 4,453 acres in 2016 (4,548);
- Cotton Candy, 406 acres in 2016 (54); and
- Sweet Globe, 245 acres in 2016 (78).
Acreage of raisin-type grapes totaled 172,000 in 2016, or 7.5 percent lower than 2015’s total of 186,000 acres.
The wine-type grape acreage is estimated at 602,000 acres, with 560,000 bearing and 42,000 non-bearing.
The CDFA works with the Pacific Regional Office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service on the annual voluntary acreage survey.
New Jersey Produce Shipments
Everything has lined up about as well as it could have so far this year, as the Garden State has had some nice warm weather. This has resulted in produce crops general being ahead of schedule as the growing season progresses. Growers are “knocking on wood” and keeping fingers crossed regarding the weather.
In only a few weeks there will be shipments of Jersey peaches and Jersey blueberries, two of the states leading produce items. Crops at this point are described as beautiful.”
New Jersey Asparagus cutting has been occurring at a fast and steady clip, leafy greens also are being harvested and shipped. There also are greenhouse tomatoes being harvested, as well as a few strawberries.
by Polymer Logistics
Riverside, CA – Polymer Logistics supplied over 22 million Wood-Look crates in 2016, introducing the product to major retailers in both the US and Europe. The introductory year for these crates has proven very successful, with retailers registering substantial sales increases in their produce departments and a study in Italy indicating a 94% consumer preference for Wood-Look crates.
“2016 was the year of our Wood-Look crate solution,” says Gideon Feiner, Polymer Logistics CEO. In response to growing demand, Polymer Logistics opened two new wash plants in the U.S. in the same year, now totaling five in number. The company also appointed a well-known executive in the produce industry – Fred Heptinstall, as CEO of Polymer Logistics North America to support its expansion, with the company achieving growth of more than 35% in 2016. It continues to make investments and anticipates continued corporate growth in the high 20% in the years ahead.
To complement the success of the Wood-Look crates, Polymer Logistics developed an in-store Wood-Look display fixture to create a unified store appearance. The innovative modular Wood-Look display stand is featured at Fruit Logistica 2017 at Hall 21 / C-04. The easily assembled stand can be customized to meet the needs of specific locations and is fully compatible with 600×400 mm as well as 400×300 mm RPCs. The display stand can also accommodate a combination of various industrial style crates from other suppliers as well as cardboard containers to boost overall produce aisle appearance.
With fresh produce often placed at the front of stores, appealing displays draw in more foot traffic and boost overall store sales. The distinctive “fresh from the field” appearance provides a memorable shopping experience while delivering crucial benefits such as hygiene, as well as lower cost and environmental impact. Visitors to Fruit Logistica 2017 are encouraged to see how the new combination of Polymer Logistics eye-catching products can transform both store appearance and operation.
About Polymer Logistics:
Polymer Logistics is a leading provider of One-Touch/Retail Ready Reusable Packaging (RRP) solutions. Since 1994, it has been helping retailers worldwide simplify supply chain management by offering them precisely what they need in terms of logistics services and display products – from the factory to the retail floor. The strength of the brand comes from the Company’s consistent track record in helping clients cut overall costs by up to 60% while simultaneously increasing in-store product availability. Add to that an innovative and flexible approach, expertise in materials handling and logistics management, and a focused commitment to superb service. Polymer Logistics numbers 17 service centers and wash sites with dedicated local teams in the USA and Europe.
by Chilean Fresh Fruit Association
Chile’s first 2017 shipment of clementines to the U.S. departed from the port of Valparaiso in late April, a week earlier than the previous season. This serves as the official start of the Chilean Citrus season, which runs through October.
Roughly 191 tons of clementines (12,260 boxes) departed for the U.S., with 89% destined for the East Coast. This shipment includes 7,940 boxes of Oronules (121 tons) and 4,320 boxes of Clemenules (70 tons). Chilean Clementine volume is expected to be slightly less than 2016, with around 42,000 tons of clementines exported from Chile between April and July. In 2016, 99% of all Chilean clementines were shipped to North America, and the same is anticipated for this season.
Clementines are just one part of Chile’s citrus offerings, which also include mandarins, lemons and navels. In terms of timing, as Clementine shipments start to wind down in July, mandarins will ramp up, with shipments concentrated in the August-September timeframe. Navel oranges will be available from June-October, with lemons boasting the longest season of May through October. With favorable autumn temperatures and sufficient rainfall, the Chilean Citrus Committee anticipates good sizing and flavorful, juicy fruit.
While total citrus volume is expected to increase just three percent, from 247,363 tons in 2016 to 256,000 tons in 2017, a huge increase is once again anticipated for mandarins. On the heels of a 22% volume increase in 2016, the Chilean Citrus Committee foresees another double-digit increase for mandarins this season, jumping from 53,000 tons to 67,000, a 26% increase over 2016. Nearly 100% of all mandarins are destined for North America. Comments Juan Enrique Ortuzar, Chairman of the Chilean Citrus Committee, “In 2014, Chile’s mandarin volume was around 27,000 tons. Here we are in 2017, just 3 years later, and we expect to ship 67,000 tons. This growth is phenomenal, and in direct response to strong demand from our customers in North America. We believe there are still more growth opportunities, and the Chilean Citrus Committee remains committed to supporting market development.”
In 2017, the Chilean Citrus Committee will expand its marketing program from the U.S. into Canada, working with a Toronto-based merchandiser to grow the Eastern Canadian market. The U.S. will remain its primary focus, and programs to promote lemons, easy peelers and navels are currently being discussed with retailers across the country. The Chilean Citrus Committee will launch this season’s marketing program during two May shows: the annual CPMA convention in Toronto and The West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Springs.
Focusing on California, stone fruit volume is building, while strawberry shipments are shifting from Ventura County to Santa Maria.
While there has been light volume of California stone fruits in recent weeks, decent volume is expected to occur with the next 10 days to two weeks.
The state does not have a big crop of stone fruits this year, but shipments should be strong, in large part due to production problems in the SoutheastA.
About 90 percent of the South Carolina peach crop was wiped out by a devastating freeze, while Georgia lost about 40 percent of its peaches.
California stone fruit shipments should be fairly steady by the middle of May.
While heavier shipments have occurred the past couple of season during late April with nectarines and some other stone fruit items, that is about a week earlier than what’s considered normal. More normal is returning this season with the crop a little later.
Strong volume is seen by the third week in May, just in time for deliveries for the Memorial Day weekend May 27 – 29.
West Coast stone fruit shipments used to be much larger, but that has change over the past decade or more with a decline in acreage. Also, a marketing order was eliminated several years ago, resulting in it now being difficult to get a firm handle on acreage totals. However, appears acreage declines have bottomed out. Many stone fruit growers also had shifted to growing other items such as almonds and Mandarins.
California white peaches started in late April, while yellow nectarines and white nectarines, plus apricots got underway in early May. Black and red plums will be starting in the middle of May.
California Strawberry Shipments
As of April 15th, California strawberry volume was over 5.5 million trays, more than half a million over the projected 4.9 million. Currently, Ventura County strawberry shipments are in a seasonal decline with volume still a little more than a little northward at Santa Mara, where volume is approaching peak loadings. Last week, Santa Maria shipped about 450 loads of strawberries. The Watsonville area near Salinas is shipping strawberries in very light volume, which will be increasing.
Santa Maria strawberries and vegetables – grossing about $6400 to New York City.
by National Mango Board
Orlando, Fla – The National Mango Board (NMB) has launched a marketing campaign, renaming the Ataulfo mango variety to “Honey.” Over the years, the Ataulfo name has been repeatedly reported as hard to pronounce for U.S. consumers, retailers and the media, creating purchase barriers and missed education opportunities for this popular Mexican variety. Retailers and industry members are encouraged to use Honey as a more consumer-friendly name to help increase Ataulfo sales.
“When consumers struggle to pronounce Ataulfo, it can create resistance and lack of understanding of the fruit”, stated Manuel Michel, Executive Director at the NMB. “The NMB’s goal is to help consumers overcome the barriers of entry and encourage increase purchase of the fruit. Our ultimate objective is to make the Honey mango more mainstream and generate excitement amongst U.S. consumers, retailers and media by providing them a more consumer-friendly name.”
“When consumers struggle to pronounce Ataulfo, it can create resistance and lack of understanding of the fruit”, stated Manuel Michel, Executive Director at the NMB. “The NMB’s goal is to help consumers overcome the barriers of entry and encourage increase purchase of the fruit. Our ultimate objective is to make the Honey mango more mainstream and generate excitement amongst U.S. consumers, retailers and media by providing them a more consumer-friendly name.”
The NMB’s Honey mango renaming efforts will highlight the versatility, sweet taste, and creamy texture of the variety, as well as the deep roots within the rich Mexican culture. Throughout the renaming campaign, the information around the origin of the variety will continue to be shared on mango.org and promoted with media outlets.
About the National Mango Board
The National Mango Board is an agriculture promotion group supported by assessments from both domestic and imported mangos. The board’s vision, to bring the world’s love of mangos to the U.S., was designed to drive awareness and consumption of fresh mangos in the U.S. marketplace. One cup of the superfruit mango contains 100 calories, 100% of daily vitamin C, 35% of daily vitamin A, 12% of daily fiber, and an amazing source of tropical flavor. Learn more at mango.org
One of the larger Vidalia onion shippers, Shuman Produce, has just become significantly larger….On the West Coast, here’s an update on California orange shipments.
Shuman Produce of Reidsville, GA which has grown over the past decade or so to become the second largest Georgia onion shipper, has purchased the Plantation Sweets Vidalia onion operation in Cobbtown, GA.
The 680-acre property includes a 94,000-square foot packing facility, and sold for $5.5 million at a bankruptcy auction April 26.
Shuman Produce plans to use cold storage space on the property in the next couple of weeks for part of its current crop, and the land will be planted this fall for next spring’s onion harvest. The acquisition allows Shuman Produce to add several hundred thousand boxes of production to its Vidalia program.
During the first round of bidding on primarily the land itself the bidding was up to about $2.5 million. Obviously that more than doubled before the bidding concluded.
Plantation Sweets filed for bankruptcy in 2016. Farm equipment and onion bins that belonged to the company were sold in a separate auction April 27.
Another Vidalia onion operation, which previously belonged to Gerrald’s Vidalia Sweet Onions, will be available in a bankruptcy auction later this month. Online bidding on that property begins May 11.
Vidalia onions – grossing about $2000 to Chicago.
California Orange Shipments
An early conclusion to California’s navel orange shipments are expected due to a smaller crop, compared the last two seasons.
Navel shipments will be ending sometime in June. About 75 percent of the navel crop had been picked by early April.
California shippers already were exporting some valencia oranges, which should be available domestically after the navel crop is finished. Most valencias go to foodservice or to schools.
Consumers do not favor valencias as much as they used to, due in part to increased availability of Southern Hemisphere navels.
Southern California citrus, avocados – grossing about $3900 to Chicago.
Alliance changes in the way container shipping lines operate are being welcomed by an executive with the Port of Oakland, CA.
Newly formed ocean carrier alliances will help the port, according to Maritime Director John Driscoll in a news release from the facility.
“We’ll see larger vessels coming to the port, which is a good thing,” he told employees in a podcast on the port’s website, portofoakland.com. “We’ll get more container moves-per-vessel which increases the efficiency of operations.”
Driscoll also said the port will receive a new weekly vessel service as a result of carrier realignment. Taiwan-based Wan Hai Lines plans to launch a new route connecting Oakland and Asia, which will increase to 29 the number of regularly scheduled vessel services calling Oakland.
“It’s a good sign when new players come to Oakland,” Driscoll said in the release.
The changes result from an April 1 realignment in which 11 of the world’s largest shipping lines formed three new alliances. Alliances let carriers pool ships on ocean routes to cut costs while expanding market reach. The carriers plan to deploy larger vessels in their alliances, carrying more containers to the U.S. West Coast. That should enable them to reduce the number of voyages while maintaining cargo volume levels, Driscoll said.
New alliance configurations should have little effect on Oakland operations, Driscoll said, noting that some vessels will change which of Oakland’s three international marine terminals they call, but the terminals are prepared.
The first vessels operating under new alliance configurations arrived in Oakland during the week of April 17.
Oakland has regular service to ports in Asia, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, Latin America, Oceania and Hawaii.
The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 on the East shore of San Francisco Bay. Port history spans a period of 165 years, which encompassed the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, two World Wars, and America’s coming of age as a global power.