Posts Tagged “feature”
Chelsea, MA – Morning Kiss Organic will soon be shipping organic broccoli crowns as part of the company’s complete line of organic produce. Pack sizes are 14 counts and crowns, however pack size can be customized according to customer request. Choosing organic means all Morning Kiss Organic broccoli is grown without chemical residues by sustainable, non-GMO farms. Morning Kiss Organic works to source produce from East Coast farms to reduce spoilage and carbon footprint.
North Carolina broccoli crown loadings will begin in late April.
New Sprout Organic Farms in Asheville, NC is an important growing partner for broccoli. New Sprout Farms is a leader in organic produce, and works in partnership with 10 other organic farms.
“At New Sprout, it is our goal to provide the freshest east coast organic produce to our customers, that’s why we harvest to order,” says Bridget Kennedy, Director of Sales & Grower Relations at New Sprout Organic Farms. “We do strategic crop planning with our growers to match our customers’ needs. Planning and partnership is key to keeping our farms financially sustainable,” says Kennedy.
“Working with organic growers like New Sprout Farms is part of our commitment to sourcing the best produce from East Coast farmers,” says Mike Guptill of Morning Kiss Organic. “Working with East Coast farmers helps to reduce environmental impact by freight and also helps to ensure we have the freshest produce for our retail partners and consumers.”
About Morning Kiss Organic
Morning Kiss Organic is the organic banner for DiSilva Fruit, Gold Bell and Arrowfarms. Utilizing just-in-time deliveries allows Morning Kiss Organic to operate efficiently, maintaining freshness and optimizing the supply chain. By meeting consumer trends with smaller pack sizes, food waste can be reduced. Morning Kiss Organic and its parent companies aim to manage demand anticipating and buffering for disruptions within the supply chain and market volatility.
By Isabella Silva, ALC Marketing Coordinator
Recent storms in California have significantly impacted agricultural operations. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ready with technical and financial assistance to aid farmers and livestock producers in recovering from these adverse weather events. California’s agricultural sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, supported by infrastructure enhancements, crop diversification, government assistance programs, and ongoing research and innovation efforts. It’s fascinating to note that California was in a severe drought just three years ago, highlighting the striking contrast in weather patterns. Nevertheless, both extremes resulted in similar agricultural shifts, noting the industry’s adaptability. This article explores the sector’s recovery from floods and projects California’s demand for refrigerated trucks.
According to the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, investments in infrastructure, such as levees and irrigation systems, have played a crucial role in mitigating flood damage and protecting agricultural lands. Farmers in California have implemented crop diversification strategies by planting flood-tolerant varieties to minimize losses. Partnering with Full Belly Farm in Yolo County, California, the USDA California Climate Hub conducted an extensive case study emphasizing adaptation planning practices as opportunities to alleviate the impacts of extreme weather conditions. Their focus on building soil organic matter not only improves crop fertility, but also increases soil water retention and holding capacity. Ongoing research endeavors aim to develop flood-resistant crop varieties and innovative farming techniques, further enhancing the industry’s resilience against future flood events. As government-sponsored insurance and assistance programs offer crucial financial support to farmers, it’s important to see how this reflects the transportation industry.
DAT reported citrus, almonds, avocado, and strawberry crops are expected to be impacted and have already contributed to 84% fewer truckloads of produce compared to this time last year. However, there’s still ample time for the 2024 produce season to regain its momentum, even with the national produce volumes down 17% from last year. With more resources, solutions, and research each year, California is continually improving its ability to address flooding challenges. This suggests a potential increase in the demand for refrigerated trucks in California’s agricultural supply chain, a positive sign for the industry’s recovery.
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Isabella Silva graduated from St. Edward’s University in 2022 with a BA in Communication, complemented by minors in Psychology and Health Communication. In July of the same year, she began her career at the Allen Lund Company in the Marketing department. Isabella is set to start her MS in Public Relations Innovation, Strategy, and Management at the University of Southern California in May.
isabella.silva@allenlund.com
Peruvian avocado exports started in January, but the 2024 crop experienced small volumes of fruit from the inter-Andean valleys, especially compared to the large volumes that are estimated to leave the country in April and May, according the Association of Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters of Peru (ProHass).
As reported by Agraria, about 93 percent of the avocados exported from Peru are the Hass variety, the most exported in the world. In 2022, 554,000 tons of Peruvian Hass avocados were exported; in 2023, there were 558,000; reflecting growth of about 1 percent.
This year Peru expects to export about 468,000 tons of Hass avocados, which would mean a drop of 16 percent compared to last year, although it could be larger. There have been unfavorable weather conditions for cultivation.
Since there are no longer new areas of expansion, each climatic blow will be felt in the export figures; when it is growing. The adverse weather events are hidden by the new hectares that enter, but Peru is no longer expanding as it did.
There are several factors that are contributing to less overall volume this season. Mexico is already finishing its heavy volume of the season, with less production; California comes with smaller fruit and a drop of between 20-30 percent; Chile is no longer a player that moves the needle anywhere in the world, as they consume everything they produce and have problems with the availability of water; Spain volume is being impacted because of a water issue; Portugal has already stopped its growth, they also had problems with water availability; Some African countries such as Senegal, Tanzania, Morocco, and South Africa are growing, but they do not compete with the Peruvian avocado, as they go to other destinations such as the Middle East, they also go to Europe.
U.S. domestic citrus shipments are down overall this year due to lack of volume out of Florida, combined with cost of truck rates from the West Coast. This has resulted in East Coast buyers turning to imports.
The U.S. imports citrus mainly from Mexico, as well as Chile, Peru, and South Africa. In 2023, Mexico exported 1.6 billion pounds of citrus to the United States.
International Fruit Company of Hammonton, NJ reports imports are increasing from Morocco primarily due to the low costs. This year, production of Nadorcott mandarins in Morocco has increased by 20% in volume.
“The company reports if you want to ship fruit from the West to the East Coast, it can cost $10,000. However, from the East to the West, rates go down to $6,000.
East Coast buyers are looking to Morocco, Egypt, or even South Africa because costs are much lower.
There is a similar situation with Argentine lemons. It comes in through the East Coast at a competitive price, and it’s much cheaper to market there directly.
East Coast imports typically will reach as far west as Texas.
There is a good supply of lemons in California at the moment, so exporters would rather send their fruit to the East Coast where prices are more competitive.
Comparing total import volumes, the balance between what comes into the East Coast vs. the West is about 80 percent to 20 percent, company notes.
Import volumes to the West increase only during the California off-season from around May and October. During the season, local producers supply much of the market.
As the common proverb goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. After a recent Penn State study, it appears the same may be true about avocados.
Nutritional science researchers Kristina Petersen and Penny Kris-Etherton found, in a study of 1,008 U.S. consumers, that eating just one avocado a day improved overall diet quality among participants.
“Previous observational research suggests avocado consumers have higher diet quality than non-consumers,” Petersen said in a press release. “So, we developed this study to determine if there is a causational link between avocado consumption and overall diet quality.”
The scientists examined changes in the Healthy Eating Index, a measure of diet quality based on national Dietary Guidelines, after the addition of a daily avocado.
They used an exploratory analysis approach to examine changes over 26 weeks. Petersen and Pugh hoped to assess the link between HEI and food intervention on cardiometabolic risk–related outcomes, as few past clinical trials have evaluated diet quality change.
They randomly split participants into two groups. One continued its usual diet, limiting avocado intake, while the other incorporated one avocado a day.
Of the control group, 72% were female. The self-reported racial and ethnic distribution of the cohort was 69% white, 21% Hispanic, 15% Black, and 6% Asian. The remaining 10% either did not answer, were listed as American Indian, or checked multiple races or ethnicities.
At week 26, a greater increase in the HEI score was observed in the avocado-supplemented diet group than in the habitual diet group. The reason for the change was more surprising than the outcome.
“We determined that participants were using avocados as a substitute for some foods higher in refined grains and sodium,” Petersen said. “In our study, we classified avocados as a vegetable and did see an increase in vegetable consumption attributed to the avocado intake, but also participants used the avocados to replace some unhealthier options.”
Petersen said she hopes implementation of healthier diets will help reduce incidents of chronic and preventable conditions, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease.
The Avocado Nutrition Center supported the study but did not contribute to data analysis or interpretation, the university said.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA is forecasting big volume and shipments for domestic blueberries this season.
“We’re forecasting a strong harvest of domestic conventional and organic blueberries in the immediate months, from several different growing regions including California, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. This will all be followed by a large blueberry crop coming from the Pacific Northwest growing regions in early July,” shared Thomas Smith, director of sales at California Giant Berry Farms.
Conventionally grown Florida blueberries have recently begun harvesting and peak volumes are expected by mid-to-late April. Georgia production started in early April and will hit peak production in early May. Concurrently, the North Carolina growing region will add to volumes that bolster the southeast season.
Promotable volumes from the opposite side of the states—California’s Central Valley—will provide ample supplies of fresh blueberries from mid-May through mid-to-late June.
California Giant’s Oxnard California organic blueberry crop has been harvesting since early 2024 and hit peak production volume in early April, before a steady decline in May. The Central Valley organic blueberry crop will begin peak production in late April with production continuing through May.
“We’re on the right track to have a very good supply of high-quality blueberries throughout the domestic season,” added Smith.
Through the shared industry goal to drive significant increases in blueberry consumption, California Giant continues to deliver the best berry experience by providing a year-round supply of sustainably grown fresh berries that represent the highest standards for quality and consistency.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GIANT BERRY FARMS
At California Giant Berry Farms, our year-round supply of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries set the standard for quality and consistency and provides retailers, foodservice, and consumers with the best berry experience. Over four decades, we have evolved into a global
family united by a passion for delivering excellence.
The Port of Houston is in the midst of numerous upgrades and expansions, while propelling itself into the future.
With strategic investments in new equipment, terminal infrastructure and channel improvements, the port continues to solidify its position as a vital hub for trade in the Gulf region.
“American farmers and ranchers depend on a reliable and efficient transportation system to move their products to market,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release.
According to the USDA, the Port of Houston has faced challenges in handling agricultural exports due to a shortage of chassis, leading to inefficiencies in moving reefers on and off vessels.
“The USDA is pleased to announce the partnership with the Port of Houston and the expanded collaboration with NWSA to further ease port congestion. Through these investments, we continue to deliver on our promise to bolster the supply chain and support American-grown food and fiber,” Vilsack said in the release.
With support from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, the port is leasing additional chassis to mitigate these challenges.
“This is an opportunity for new or emerging candidates, or new or emerging commodities to enter the US marketplace. And that’s what makes the Port of Houston so great,” said Dante Galeazzi, CEO and president of the Texas International Produce Association.
Additional improvements at the Port of Houston aim to optimize infrastructure and channel capacity to better serve the region.
This includes widening, deepening and maintaining the Houston Ship Channel, driving the development of landside infrastructure and inland distribution networks, and enhancing efficiency and resilience through innovative technology and other strategies.
“Port of Houston only has room to grow,” Galeazzi said.
The Pro Citrus Network, operating through the Port of Houston, plays a vital role in facilitating the efficient transportation and distribution of citrus products.
Founded in 2004 in California as a grower-shipper, PCN was the first to import lemons into Port Houston in 2008. Since then, PCN has grown throughout Texas and the Midwest.
After outgrowing several leased facilities in Houston, PCN launched sister company Foremost Fresh Direct to service PCN to provide citrus year-round, as well as service other fresh produce and perishable customers needing cold storage, bringing additional commodities including avocados, grapes, melons, pineapples, juice and additional perishable items.
California avocado shipments are estimated to be down about 12 percent from last season. However, McDaniel Fruit Co., baseded in Fallbrook, CA, does not expect to see a decline in its production.
California is estimated to have 208 million pounds this season.
The grower/shipper/packer reveals with its growing partners, thousands of new trees are planted every year in California. So, while the California avocado industry is expected to be down, McDaniel expects to have the same volume of fruit as last year if not more.
The company also sees better sizing than last year during the peak shipping months of April, May and June and into July and August.
During the next few months, McDaniel Fruit will be shipping avocados from Mexico, Peru and Colombia, as well as from California. Peru is expected to be a significant player this summer and Colombia is also a point of origin with increasing supplies.
Weather and other factors have caused a few hick ups with imported Mexican produce so far this year, while overall volume has been perhaps a little lower, but decent.
Horton Fruit Co. Inc., based in Louisville, KY, also has an office in Irving, TX. It reports the 2023-24 Mexican produce season has been very difficult, with volume affected, resulting in some of the highest markets on record for tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and squash.
Hurricanes late last year adversely affected plantings, plus low water levels in reservoirs in the Mexican state of Sinaloa and on the Rio Grande created uncertainty over water availability.
For late February, those price levels are unheard of, Wilkins said.
But overall, harvesting and transportation delays have been rare this season.
Horton Fruit handles avocados, bell peppers and cucumbers on a nearly year-round basis.
Between central Mexico, Sinaloa and some of the other areas Horton Fruit is mostly going year-round with tomatoes, hot peppers, bell peppers and cucumbers.
Primo Trading Services of McAllen, TX, reports Mexican onion acreage has decreased due to the lack of enough water.
Due to this problem the company expects fewer imports by the U.S. as well as a very strong Mexico domestic onion market. Primo harvested its first onions in early February], and will continue until mid-to-late April.
Northwest U.S. onion supplies were also at historically low levels in February, which was supporting high prices.
Global fresh produce marketer Dole plc terminated its agreement to sell its Fresh Vegetable Division to Fresh Express, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited (Chiquita).
In a release Thursday morning, the company said the decision resulted from the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to pursue litigation to prevent the transaction.
The DOJ said Thursday that it had concerns about the deal’s impact on competition in the packaged salad market.
“At a time when food companies are already overcharging Americans for groceries, today’s abandonment preserves lower prices and availability for an essential kitchen staple,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Antitrust Division in a statement.
“This merger would have reduced the number of competitors from three to two and raised grocery prices for food products that are purchased by 85% of American households. I am grateful for the tireless efforts of the Antitrust Division’s lawyers, economists, paralegals, and professional staff who made this result possible.”
In January 2023, the company announced a ‘definitive agreement’ to sell the division for gross proceeds of approximately US$293 million, subject to certain adjustments.
At the time, they said the transaction was subject to regulatory approval and the parties expected the transaction would close after obtaining approval.
This morning, the company put out the following statement regarding the announcement:
“While Dole strongly disagrees with the Department of Justice’s decision and continues to believe that the transaction was pro-competitive and would have unlocked ongoing benefits to customers and consumers, we remain confident that we will have an alternative path forward in the near term that is in the best interests of the Fresh Vegetables Division’s employees, customers, and partners, and the Dole plc shareholders.”
The company’s executive chairman Carl McCann previously said the deal with Fresh Express would improve their offering and service to customers and consumers through increased investments in innovation, efficiencies, and food safety.