Posts Tagged “feature”
The quest to find new food-based approaches to improve wellness continues, and the latest scientific research points to the potential power of walnuts to provide better sleep.
A new study published in the journal Food & Function reveals that eating a handful of walnuts (40 grams or about 1.5 ounces) a day may help improve overall sleep quality and reduce daytime sleepiness in healthy young adults. The research was funded by the California Walnut Commission and conducted by an interdisciplinary team at the University of Barcelona, in Spain.
The scientists looked into the potential impact that daily walnut intake could have on specified urine biomarkers, which in turn reveal changes in the levels of sleep-regulating hormone, melatonin, in the body.
Overall sleep quality improvement in a nutshell
As part of the study, the research team investigated the impact of the fruit on sleep quality parameters, such as daytime sleepiness, how long it takes for someone to fall asleep after lights out (sleep latency), how many times and for how long you wake up after effectively falling asleep (wake after sleep onset and awakenings), and the percentage of sleep time compared to total bed time (efficiency).
Researchers found that after four weeks eating walnuts, melatonin, significantly increased in participants’ evening urine samples compared to the control cohort. Walnut intake also shortened the time it took participants to fall asleep by 1.3 minutes, improved overall sleep quality scores, and reduced self-reported daytime sleepiness.
“With over one in three American adults not meeting the recommended amount of sleep per night, our results open the door to future research in other age groups and in people with sleep disorders,” said Maria Izquierdo-Pulido, professor at the Departament of Nutrition Sciences and Gastronomy at the University of Barcelona, and lead researcher of the study.
A natural sleep-inducing cocktail
The researchers explain that walnuts have a unique combination of sleep-supportive nutrients. Among them, are plant-based melatonin, tryptophan (a precursor to melatonin), magnesium, and an array of various types of vitamin B.
This study is among the first to demonstrate walnuts’ potential as a sleep-supporting food, and though findings are positive, more research is needed to fully understand the physiological dynamic linking walnuts to a good night sleep.
As the second half of summer unfolds, Creekside Organics of Bakersfield, CA is delivering a fresh, flavorful lineup of organic fruit designed to bring energy and momentum to produce departments nationwide.
With organic grapes and melons now shipping in peak volumes, Creekside is meeting the moment with consistent availability, strong varietal diversity, and packs that align with retail execution strategies.
Fruit World, a part of the Creekside Organics family of brands, is currently shipping its seasonal grape program through late September. This year’s standout offerings include organic Thomcord and conventional Kyoho varieties.
The company’s signature Thomcord grapes—a cross between Concord and Thompson Seedless—are beloved for their nostalgic, intensely “grapey” flavor and wide consumer appeal. These are available in one-pound clamshells and two-pound paper totes to meet a variety of merchandising needs.
Creekside Organics is also in the heart of its organic melon season, with cantaloupes, honeydews, Hami, and mini seedless watermelons now shipping in promotable volumes through the end of October.
About Creekside Organics, Inc.
Creekside Organics, Inc. is a leading, certified organic grower-shipper in California, sourcing from organic farms across California and Mexico. Creekside entered into a 50/50 merger with Fruit World in 2025; a move that amplified its commitment to sustaining a prosperous future for family farms. Offering year-round organic fruit and vegetable programs, Creekside remains committed to expanding market reach for its growers, preserving family farms, and upholding the highest standards of environmental sustainability. For more information visit creeksideorganics.com.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Supplies of Colombian avocados in the U.S. will be up significantly this year compared to 2024, according to the Colombia Avocado Board.
Approximately 82 million pounds of Colombian avocados were shipped to the U.S., through June 2025, representing a 115% increase over the 38 million pounds shipped over the same period in 2024.
Exports to the U.S. in 2025 are currently projected to reach 165 million pounds, up from 80 million pounds last year.
The growth is attributed to maturing groves, higher yields, an increase in certified acreage and packing facilities authorized to export to the U.S. market.
In addition, a larger share of Colombia’s hass avocado exports is now directed to the U.S. market — about 40% of total exports this year compared to 22% in 2024.
Columbia has two growing seasons, resulting in shipments of avocados to the U.S. market the year-round. The main season runs from approximately September to March, and the traviesa season spans March to August/September, he says.
Volume is expected to decrease in September and October as the traviesa season ends, but supplies will build during the main season with peak volume expected in January and February.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Variability in crop timing and quality across growing regions is making it difficult to determine final volume and how much product will be shipped for the 2025 California almond harvest, which is now underway.
The Almond Board of California (ABC) reports it is difficult to tell what size and quality are going to be at this point in the season. The three main growing regions harvest at slightly different times, while some varieties are weeks behind others. There should be a better idea when the harvest is finished.
Despite the current uncertainty, the USDA’s California Almond Forecast released in May projected total production to reach 2.45 billion pounds, a 21 percent uptick year-on-year. The forecast is based on 1.38 million bearing acres, with a projected yield of 1,770 pounds per acre (see haulproduce.com August 27, 2025).
ABC reports growing concerns about roof rat infestations in California almond orchards.
CAPCA is currently awaiting guidance from the California Department of Food and Agriculture on recommended next steps.
California grows approximately 80 percent of the world’s almonds, making fluctuations in volume, quality, and international trade crucial.
Fresh Del Monte Produce of Coral Gables, FL, one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, has announced a new joint venture with Managro Group, a Colombia‑based agricultural company and leading exporter of limes and avocados.
The strategic partnership includes a shared investment to expand an avocado and lime packing house in Colombia, further strengthening Fresh Del Monte’s supply chain capabilities and broadening its presence in two high-growth categories: avocados and limes.
The facility will service Fresh Del Monte’s North American and European markets, enhancing the company’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality avocados and limes year-round. With Colombia’s favorable growing conditions and reliable sourcing potential, this investment supports the company’s long-term strategy in both lines, while also solidifying its commitment to diversifying its sourcing and expanding its presence in Colombia.
“This joint venture is a bold step in advancing our long-term ambition: to lead in the most dynamic, high-growth categories in fresh produce,” said Danny Dumas, Fresh Del Monte Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Management for North America. “Through our partnership with Managro in Colombia, we’re enhancing our vertical integration, expanding our global footprint, and reinforcing our position as a trusted, year-round supplier of premium avocados and limes.”
The avocado and lime markets are experiencing strong, sustained growth, driven by rising global demand for nutrient-rich foods. According to Fact.MR, a global market intelligence and advisory firm, the global lime market is projected to grow from $48 billion in 2024 to $62 billion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5%.
The global avocado market is expected to expand from approximately $19 billion in 2024 to about $34 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust 5.9% CAGR. This joint venture leverages Colombia’s strategic production advantages, Managro’s deep product-line knowledge, and Fresh Del Monte’s global distribution expertise to meet growing demand with consistency, quality, and scale across both categories.
This strategic move strengthens Fresh Del Monte’s commitment to growth, innovation, and the delivery of premium produce that meets the evolving needs of today’s consumers.
ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN® brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. The company was also named a Humankind 100 Company for two consecutive years by Humankind Investments, which recognizes companies that substantially impact areas such as access to food and clean water, healthcare, and digital services. Fresh Del Monte has also been awarded the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards four times in the last five years (2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025). Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is traded o
East Coast apple shipments are underway on the East Coast, with varieties such as ginger gold and paula reds that started in mid-August in the Hudson Valley of New York, followed soon after by orchards in central and western upstate New York and then the northeast.
Observers see a strong season for Eastern apples.
Crunch Time Apple Growers of lockport, NY noted the season began with a cool and wet spring, which is good for apple trees because there was a long time to set fruit, and there weren’t any major temperature swings pushing blossoms ahead of schedule.
Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners, PA reports the harvest of early gala and Honeycrisp began in early August and the crop looks good.
Gala and Honeycrisp have great size, strong internal pressures, and beauty. The warm temperatures and ample rainfall this summer is good for sugar development and sizing, making for an excellent start.
Fresh grapes should be considered a superfood, says a new study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, because of the multiple health benefits.
Despite the buzz and ambiguity associated with the term, John Pezzuto, lead author and dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Western New England University, says scientific data shows that “grapes have earned what should be a prominent position in the superfood family,” along with blueberries and strawberries.
Grapes are nutrient-packed, the study explains. Among the more than 1,600 compounds found in the fruit, there are polyphenols like flavonoids, anthocyanidins, and catechins, as well as phenolic acids, and resveratrol, all rich with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But even if these molecules are great add-ons to our diets by themselves, Pezzuto explains that the real health benefits of grapes don’t come from any single component, but from their collective interaction.
More than 60 peer-reviewed studies have examined the health effects of grape consumption, confirming their role in modulating cholesterol levels and supporting cardiovascular health by promoting blood vessel relaxation and healthy circulation.
Clinical trials have also associated grape consumption with brain health, skin protection against UV radiation, gut health through microbiome modulation, and eye health via increased macular pigment density. Additionally, eating grapes has been shown to influence gene expression.
“Dr. Pezzuto shows that based on the science, grapes are indeed a superfood, and should be recognized as such,” said Ian LeMay, president of the California Table Grape Commission. “And we are hopeful that using this nomenclature in association with grapes becomes common practice.”
Among U.S. potato-growing states, Wisconsin ranks third, and produced 26 million cwt of potatoes in 2024, according to the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association of Antigo, WI.
That was off from 28 million cwt in 2023, a year that saw above-average yields.
The state has about 100 potato growers who produce about 63,000 acres of russet, red, white and yellow potatoes each year along with specialty varieties like blue/purple, fingerlings and little potatoes.
Most growers expect 2025 yields to be similar to last year.
Bushmans’ Inc. of Rosholt, WI started its russet harvest the first week of August, which is normal. Red and yellow harvests were already underway.
The company ships potatoes year-round, starting with shipments from the field then transitioning to storage sales. Harvesting usually wraps up around October 10. Growing conditions have been very good.
Average size and good quality were expected this year, barring unforeseen glitches prior to harvest.
Alsum Farms & Produce of Friesland, WI., sees a promising season with russet, red, yellow and specialty creamer potato varieties.
Harvest of red and yellow potatoes got underway in early August with russet potatoes kicking off the third week of August. Alsum Farms grows 2,700 acres of Wisconsin potatoes.
The operation has a year-round supply of Wisconsin russets while yellows and reds finish up by January. In the specialty category, the company offers 3-pound and 5-pound specialty creamer red and yellow potato blends.
While Schroeder Bros. Farms Inc. of Antigo, WI focuses on seed potatoes, the company also offers some red and russet potatoes for fresh market sales.
Digging started the first week of September this year as usual, and will continue until about the third week of October.
The company, which dates back to 1879, strives to complete shipping table stock by January, then transitions to seed potatoes.
The company sells mostly to brokers who, in turn, ship to retail customers.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The Washington fresh apple crop is estimated at 142 million standard forty-pound boxes of fresh apples. While the forecast would match the previous record harvest for the fresh apple crop, growers reported that labor shortages and market conditions may drive down the actual number of harvested apples.
The estimate was recently released by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.
Growers faced a record drought in the state to deliver a high-quality crop across all varietals. Cosmic Crisp (WA-38), developed by Washington State University specifically for Eastern Washington’s growing conditions, continues its meteoric rise in popularity just five years after its introduction in 2020. For the first time, it enters the forecast as one of the top five varietals.
“This year Washington has experienced favorable growing conditions and good fruit sizing despite drought conditions in the state that curtailed water supplies to some orchards,” said Jon DeVaney, WSTFA President.
“Growers anticipate a large crop with great eating quality. However, challenging economic conditions including concerns about labor supply during harvest means that many growers will be more selective in what they pick. As a result, there is a high probability that the final harvested crop will be smaller than the potential reflected in this forecast.”
The WSTFA forecast includes interesting changes in the five most popular varietals. Gala is number one at 18% of production, followed by Honeycrisp at 15% (for the first time moving ahead of both Red Delicious and Granny Smith), Granny Smith at 14.7%, and Red Delicious at 12%. Cosmic Crisp makes its first appearance in the top five at 9.6%, up from just 1% in 2020 and 6% in 2023.
Fuji is forecast to be nearly 9.1% of the forecasted crop, Cripps Pink is projected at 6.4%, with Envy and Golden Delicious both at approximately 3.5%, and Ambrosia at 1%. All other varieties represent about 7%.
Washington’s growers are keeping up with consumer demand for organic apples. Organics again represent 15% of this year’s overall crop, a sign that growers’ long-term investment in organics is paying off for them and the consumers they ultimately serve. Washington state produces more than 90% of the nation’s organic apples. All organic production is packed and marketed as USDA organic and WSTFA members continue to work on new strategies and techniques to deliver more organic apples.
“Staying in step with consumer demand is something that our growers work hard to accomplish,” added DeVaney.
The apple forecast is based on a survey of WSTFA members and represents the best estimate of the total volume of apples harvested in 2025 that will be packed and sold on the fresh market. The estimate excludes apples sold to processors. Apple harvest typically begins in August and continues into November. As a result, this forecast is still subject to several months of variable weather, labor supply, and market conditions that can affect the final harvest total.
About the Washington State Tree Fruit Association
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) represents the growers, packers and marketers of Washington apples, pears, and sweet cherries. The association provides education and training, data and statistics for informed market and production decisions, and public and government advocacy for the industry. Washington is the nation’s leading producer of these three important crops, with a farm-gate production of over $2.8 billion, accounting for 30% of the state’s agricultural production value. In an average year, the apple harvest alone produced a total economic impact to the state of $7.5 billion and supported nearly 40,000 direct jobs and 21,000 indirect jobs in support industries in the state. To learn more, visit www.wstfa.org
Nearly all of the fresh asparagus in the U.S. is imported. In 2024, for example, the U.S. imported 515.4 million pounds of asparagus, valued at $646.7 million. Of that, almost 155 million pounds (30%) came from Peru.
Though Mexico claims the title of the largest exporter of asparagus to the U.S. — representing roughly two-thirds of U.S. asparagus imports — Peru’s unique location and climate gives it an interesting asparagus superpower over the competition.
Southern Specialties of Pompano Beach, FL notes Peru is an important source of both green and white fresh asparagus because it provides consistent volume of high-quality product almost year-round. The company is a grower, importer, processor and shipper dealing in Peruvian asparagus.
The majority of Mexican imports happen from January to May, according to data from the International Fresh Produce Association.
When it comes to Peru, it also has a constant presence in the market, which only reduces when Mexico reaches its peak production,” the group noted in a late 2024 report. It also pointed out Michigan, the largest domestic producer of asparagus, has a short season from May to June.
Simply put, Peru supplies the U.S. consumer with quality asparagus during a time U.S. is not in production.