Posts Tagged “feature”
Leadership is not community organizing. Leadership is when you step up to the plate, take a firm grip on the bat, and face the challenge of the curve ball on the outside corner. Thereby, setting the example for others to follow.
From the outset this president has failed miserably when it comes to leadership. You don’t sit in the White House and wait for things to happen. You don’t constantly carp about Congress’s lack of inaction and then head to the golf course. You don’t blame and criticize the former president for billion dollar deficits while all along creating trillion dollar deficits of your own.
If you ask people who was the worst president in modern history the answer always comes back Jimmy Carter. But Jimmy Carter was the one who took the bull by the horns and got Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and the Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to Camp David.
Carter provided the leadership that resulted in the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt which stands to this day. Not an easy task! For the most part the election of our president is a popularity contest. The average American on the street doesn’t know the first thing about what goes on in the world. Nor do they seem to care. We are a spoiled lot. We take our liberty for granted and we don’t understand how easy it is to lose the liberty that so many Americans have given their lives for.
We are too willing to trade liberty for government handouts these days. Liberty is more important than life itself. It was one of our founding fathers, Patrick Henry, who coined the phrase, “I know what course others may take, but as for me give me liberty or give me death.”
This cell phone generation we are now raising may just wake up one day and find out they live in a far different world than the hope and change they envisioned and voted for. A world where a
tyrannical government rules them based on a narrow set of religious beliefs and enforces those beliefs with a deadly iron fist. After all, if we don’t guard our liberty and the freedom to live our lives as we wish, we can all say hello to tyranny. Or maybe we should just follow our presidents’ lead and go play golf!
Larry Oscar is a graduate from the University of Tulsa and holds a degree in electrical engineering. He is retired and lives with his wife on a lake in Oklahoma where he brews his own beer, sails, and is a member of numerous clubs and organizations.
Opal apples is experiencing a record-breaking fifth season, reaching new highs in volume as well as the number of consumers reached. Opal made its first appearance this season in November and is expected to run through April.
Opal achieved a high record in weekly volume after delivering over 1 million pounds of fresh Opals to retailers across the United States and Canada in the seven-day shipping period ending March 8. Season-to-date, the average weekly volume is running 28 percent higher compared to last season. Also, the number of retailers in the Opal program has reached record highs with 85 percent of the top retailers in the U.S. and Canada carrying Opals for their consumers. In addition, Opal has seen a jump in consumer reach after executing a robust marketing campaign reaching over 1.1 million people.
“We’re having a great Opal season with tremendous momentum,” Keith Mathews, chief executive officer of FirstFruits Marketing of Washington, said in a press release. “Consumers are telling us how much they love the apple, retailers are having great pull-throughs and consequently, we’re experiencing record shipments. We’re so honored to have solid retail relationships to help us sell through nearly 1 million pounds of Opals in one week. Without their support, we could not get Opals to consumers.”
Grown in Washington by Broetje Orchards, Opal apples are sold exclusively in North America by FirstFruits Marketing. The company said this cross between Topaz and Golden Delicious stands out on the shelf with its yellow color and great taste. While Opal is non-GMO it does naturally resists browning after slicing.
by The International Nut & Dried Fruit Council
Given the forecast and coinciding with the recent World Day against Cancer, the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council (INC) wants to share some facts that can help us live a healthier life and may help prevent this disease.
According to a recent study run by Harvard University, which analyzed over 100,000 people over 30 years, nut consumption was inversely associated with total mortality by over 20%, disregarding the cause, and had an inverse relationship with some of the most common causes of death, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
This study, the largest ever conducted investigating the effect of nut intake on mortality, concluded that participants who ate a daily handful of nuts reduced the chance of mortality due to cancer by 11%, compared to those who didn’t consume any nuts. Dr. Ying Bao concluded that “nut consumption was inversely associated with mortality, independently of other risk factors”.
In another study also run by Dr. Bao called “Nut consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer in women”, it was revealed that frequent nut consumption is inversely associated with the risk of pancreatic cancer in women, independent of other potential risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Besides nuts, dried fruits are also suggested for cancer prevention, as they are as healthy as their fresh equivalent and high in polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants that may protect DNA against damage, decrease inflammation and prevent cancer.
Properties and Benefits
A number of scientific studies have demonstrated the health benefits of nuts and dried fruits. All these benefits are attributed to the multiple components that these products have, such as vitamin E, folic acid, magnesium, arginine, plant sterols and phytochemical compounds. Furthermore, they have a low content of saturated fatty acids, among others.
About the INC
The International Nut & Dried Fruit Council (INC) groups nearly 700 companies of the nut and dried fruit sector from over 70 countries. INC is the international organization of reference as regards nuts and dried fruits, health, nutrition, food safety, statistics, international standards and regulations.
Spring Florida produce shipments are shifting towards high gear!
Florida produce shipments for this spring are shaping up to be a good one for produce haulers because of excellent weather and growing conditions.
Vegetables being harvested in the Sunshine State range from tomatoes to snap beans, sweet corn, cabbage, cucumbers, carrots, radishes, celery, squash, lettuce and other leaf vegetables. Florida citrus shipments continue, while the strawberry harvest has concluded, but blueberry loadings are ramping up.
The state grows and ships over 350 commodities.
Weather didn’t pose any significant obstacles to growers this season as the state has experienced a mild winter.
Tomato shipments for both grape and cherry tomatoes from the Palmetto/Ruskin areas of Florida should get underway about April 10th, while romas and rounds should follow around April 17-20.
Tomato shipments should reach seasonal norms the week of April 6 or the week of April 13.
South Florida fresh potato shipments commenced in early February and will continue until early to mid-May. Peak Florida potato shipments are occuring during March and April.
Florida red, yellow and white potatoes – grossing about $2975 to Dallas.
Florida mixed vegetables – grossing about $3400 to New York City and about $3100 to Chicago.
If you are planning on hauling strawberries and vegetables grown south of San Diego and across the border on the Baja pennisula, you probably will be better off going elsewhere.
Mexican strawberries and vegetables grown in Baja California are facing supply disruptions because of a strike by farm workers.
The extent of the effect on supplies remains unclear, but there are definately fewer loads available at San Diego area warehouses, which are distributors for the produce items destined for markets in much of North America. Losses on strawberries are reported to be substantial, causing millions of dollars in losses.
The strike began March 17 in Baja’s San Quintin valley, where workers are seeking an increase on current eight-hour pay from the U.S. $7.94 to $8.60 range to about $19.84, or 300 pesos. San Quintin is 118 miles south of Ensenada.
Strawberry shipments crossing the border through the Otay Mesa district in the San Diego area have been very low. About 27 percent of Mexico’s strawberry harvest comes from Baja California. Vegetable shipments from other crops produced there include tomatoes, green onions, squash, carrots, peas and broccoli.
Meanwhile, until the labor issues are resolved produce truckers should have better luck obtaining loads with Southern California avocados, or perhaps various berries and vegetables out of Ventura County.
Oxnard (Ventura County) lettuce, cabbage, celery and berries – grossing about $4800 to Chicago.
Relating to produce shipments originating on the East Coast this time of year, Florida deservedly is receiving the most attention as vegetable volume is rapidly increasing. However, this is more of a report on other Eastern areas that are shipping.
If you want more info on Florida vegetable shipments, there have been a few recent posts that go into more detail, plus an update is coming this Wednesday, April 1st – and this is not an April fool’s joke!
New York Produce Shipments
The state’s biggest volume is with storage onions, most of it coming out of Orange County. averaging about 125 truck loads per week…..The next biggest mover is with apples coming out of the Hudson and Champlain Valleys, as well Central and Western areas of the state. New York is a leading cabbage shipper, but volume is now in a seasonal decline.
Hudson Valley apples – grossing about $3100 to Orlando.
Maine Potato Shipments
Aroostrook County in northern Maine is shipping about 150 truck loads of potatoes weekly.
Maine potatoes – grossing about $1400 to Boston.
Appalachian Apple Shipments
Volume is light, but apples are being loaded in the district comprised of portions of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
North Carolina Sweet Potato Shipments
With Easter closing in on April 5th, sweet potato shipments from the Eastern areas of the state are increasing, now surpassing 300 truck loads per week.
NC sweet potatoes – grossing about $2500 to New York City.
South Carolina Vegetable Shipments
There certainly are not any truck loads here, but the Lexington area has very light volume with greens and green onions.
Georgia Vegetable Shipments
From Southern Georgia there are light shipments of broccoli, carrots and greens.
Chiquita Brands International Inc. is still moving containers through the Port of Gulfport even after relocating its shipping operations to the Port of New Orleans.
The (Biloxi, Miss.) Sun Herald reports congestion in New Orleans is keeping the Charlotte, N.C.-based Chiquita operating in the Mississippi port.
After a 40-year absence, Chiquita in October returned to the Port of New Orleans.
Chiquita had planned to end its containerized goods handling at Gulfport by December 31, but Gulfport tenant Crowley Maritime Corp. Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., was still shipping northbound Chiquita produce containers into the port, according to the Sun Herald.
Gulfport director said the two ports are working to “alleviate congestion issues at the port of New Orleans,” according to the report.
Chiquita’s transition to New Orleans remains on schedule and Chiquita was expected to continue moving some cargo through Gulfport while the New Orleans port makes improvements, a New Orleans port official said in the report.
For Chiquita, the New Orleans port planned to invest $2.2 million in improvements in refrigerated-container electrical infrastructure and at a distribution and ripening facility leased to Chiquita. Imported bananas provide huge volume from Chiquita throughout North America.
Would you believe kale being served with a Big Mac?
Hum. Fast food giant McDonald’s is looking to add items with kale to its menu.
McDonald’s sources aren’t confirming the reports from dozens of media outlets, but it does appear that the trendy green may make its way to the Golden Arches.
Most of the hype stems from Janney Capital Markets analyst Mark Kalinowski, who cited an unnamed source: “Possibilities include kale for use in salads, or perhaps a kale smoothie.”
With the Oakbrook, Ill.-based chain losing market share in recent years, McDonald’s officials have said publicly that they’re open to anything to turn things around, including rethinking menu choices.
McDonald’s has noted it isn’t blind to Americans’ demand for more nutritious items, and kale has been one of the hottest trend items in U.S. restaurants, in general, over the past couple of years.
Kale-producing farms have nearly tripled from 2007 to 2012, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, and kale is featured on foodservice menus a whopping 400 percent more often today than it did in 2010.
However, McDonald’s seemed among the most unlikely candidates to add kale after a January McDonald’s TV ad campaign specifically vowed the chain would never serve kale, in fact chastising vegetarians and featuring footage of McDonald’s signature sandwich, the Big Mac.
“You can’t get juiciness like this from soy or quinoa,” a narrator says in the ad. “This is not Greek yogurt. Nor will that ever be kale.”
Most likely sweet onion shipments from the Vidalia onion district in Southeast Georgia that are labeled “Vidalias” will begin shipping April 27th. Unlabeled Vidalias should start sooner.
The Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel met with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black March 23 and recommended an April 27 shipping start date this season for the state’s trademarked vegetable.
Under Georgia law, the ag commissioner sets the beginning of shipping each year. The commissioner is not bound by the advisory panel’s recommendation, but Black has followed it during his tenure in office.
Vidalia onions are maturing about 10 days later than usual because of weather conditions this winter.
Meanwhile sweet onion supplies out of Mexico and Texas have had consistency issues. Vidalias can be shipped prior to the official starting date, but cannot be labeled as Vidalia onions. No double some shipments from Vidalia will begin the first or second week of April.
In mid-March, despite a wet winter with 20 inches of rain in since mid-December, the Vidalia crop looks clean, but that could change if problems such as disease arise.
From the South Texas-Mexican border to the Canadian border, here is a look at produce shipments originating out of the central United States.
Lower Rio Grand Valley Produce Shipments
There are steady Texas grapefruit shipments, amounting to around 200 truck loads weekly, with about one-fourth this volume in oranges. Just south of San Antonio, cabbage shipments are increasing…..However, the biggest volume comes with Mexican produce shipments. There is everything from such tropical as mangos, papayas, and pineapples to watermelon, peppers, roma tomatoes, broccoli and carrots.
A word of caution. Although volume is very light with Mexican tomatillos and chayote, some quality problems are being reported.
Lower Rio Grand Valley/Mexican produce – grossing about $4800 to New York City.
Sweet Potato Shipments
Both Louisiana and Mississippi are shipping sweet potatoes, but volume is light.
Michigan Produce Shipments
Heaviest produce volume in Michigan remains with apples, primarily out of the Western area of the state, averaging about 175 truck loads per week…There are about 125 truck loads of potato loadings a week….Finally, there are still some storage onions left, but it is in a seasonal decline.
Michigan apples – grossing about $2400 to Atlanta.
Wisconsin Potato Shipments
Central Wisconsin is shipping over 300 truck loads of primarily russet potatoes weekly.
Wisconsin potatoes – grossing about $2200 to Houston.
Red River Valley Potato Shipments
Eastern North Dakota and Western Minnesota are shipping red potatoes in similar volume to that of Wisconsin.
Red River Valley potatoes – grossing about $1950 to Chicago.