Even with the recent lower estimates for Northwest cherry shipments, it is still being considered a decent amount of loadings. The best volume should occur through about Aug. 10.
Frost in the Northwest during April and heavy rains at the end of May reduced the initial season estimate of 18 million boxes to 16-17 million boxes.
By the end of June, that estimate was due for another downward adjustment. What was once a 17-million-box crop no longer exists. Shipments are now estimated to be down to as low as 13 to 16 million boxes.”
About 23 million boxes of cherries were shipped from the Northwest last year.
Blueberry loadings are picking up in both Washington state and Oregon….Washington state continues to ship late season apples from the Yakima and Wenachee Valleys.
The Walla Walla district in Washington is shipping onions, with volume increasing in the new season. A similar situation with onions is occurring from the Columbia Basin and Umatilla Basin along the Washington/Oregon border. The state line area also is shipping potatoes in light volume.
In Idaho, potatoes are averaging about 1,750 truckload equivalents a week, although a significant percentage of those spuds are being loaded in rail cars.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $5500 to New York City.
Washington State cherries – about $6700 to New York City.
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Here’s a look at some produce loading opportunities around the country, as well as what to expect in the next few months.
Vine ripe tomato shipments are crossing the border into the USA from Baja Mexico, plus California mature green tomato loadings are ramping up from Tracy and Newman, CA and other operations in the area. Tomato loads also are available from Arkansas, South Carolina and Georgia.
California pear shipments got underway last week and are now increasing in volume. Growers are expected to ship about 4.5 million boxes of fresh-market pears this season. About 2.8 million of those will come from the Sacramento river district, with the lake district accounting for another 1.2 million boxes and Mendocino about 418,000 boxes.
Regarding the extreme heat we’ve been hearing so much about in the West, last weekend the Coachella Valley was apparoaching 120-degrees. This is bound to adversely affect the tail end of the Coachella grape shipments and very well could end the season a little earlier than planned. It also means you should be more watchful than usual for quality problems if loading Coachella grapes.
The heat also may adversely affect California vegetables shipments such as eggplant and other items.
In Georgia, steady, shipments of Vidalia onions will be coming out storages through Labor Day.
The USDA is reporting potato loads could be down for the upcoming fall season as planted acres across the USA are at 1.2 million acres, a drop of 70,700 acres or 6.1 percent. Idaho has planted 28,000 fewer acres than 2012 and will also harvest 28,000 less acres or a drop of 8.1 percent. Wisconsin acres planted and harvest projections are unchanged from last year at 64,500 and 63,500 respectively. Washington has planted 160,000 acres or 5,000 less than last year.
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Based on the results of four recent medical studies, health-wise consumers may want to include a handful of pistachios in their daily diet. Eating nuts such as pistachios has been associated with a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes, lower heart disease risk factors, lower body weight, and better outcomes during pregnancy.
First, a review of eight relevant studies has been published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine on the effect of pistachios on blood lipid profiles. With a single exception, all of the studies reported a decrease in the mean LDL (commonly regarded as bad) cholesterol in a range from 7.6 to 9.7% of the baseline. Drawing from PUBMED and Loma Linda University database searches, researchers from East Carolina University and the University of Tennessee found the majority of studies reported a statistically significant improvement in HDL and LDL cholesterol ratios. They concluded that adding pistachios to a diet can benefit individuals with normal and high LDL cholesterol. This result is consistent with other studies associating nut consumption with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, as noted in the following examples.
A PREDIMED study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in February focused on the cardiovascular benefits of a Mediterranean diet that’s rich in nuts and extra-virgin olive oil. Researchers looked at individuals at high risk for heart disease and found that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts resulted in a substantial reduction of major cardiovascular events. A total of 7,447 persons aged 55 to 80 participated for at least four years. They did not have cardiovascular disease when the study began, but were at risk for developing it because they had diabetes or at least three major risk factors, including smoking, high blood pressure, an elevated LDL cholesterol level, obesity or overweight, or a family history of premature heart disease. In the trial the Mediterranean diet groups resulted in a relative risk reduction of approximately 30%, including a significant reduction in the risk of stroke.
In the third paper, as published in PLOS ONE, the PREDIMED study researchers looked at the same persons who were at high risk for heart disease at the start of the study and compared those who ate nuts three times per week versus those who ate them less than once a week. Subjects who ate nuts three times per week or more had a significantly lower prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. The nuts included pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, macadamia nuts and cashews.
As background, PREDIMED is an acronym for a long-term, multi-center nutritional intervention study (PREvención con Dieta MEDiterránea) that was designed to examine the effects of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention of cardiac diseases. Launched in 2003 with a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Health, it is recognized for the size of its sample (more than 7,400 subjects), the length of time (on average of four years) and its scientific rigor (randomized controlled study). Additional funding was received from the Centre Català de la Nutrició de l’Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
“Nuts, including pistachios, are rich in nutrients and filled with antioxidants, vitamins, protein and fiber that have been found to be heart healthy and not cause weight gain,” said Constance Geiger, Ph.D., R.D., Nutrition Consultant, American Pistachio Growers. She continues, “Studies show that substituting pistachios for other snacks or proteins improves the nutrient quality of the diet and is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.”
Finally, a fourth study appeared in the February issue of Diabetes Care. Led by Wei Bao, M.D., Ph.D., a research team examined the association between protein intake and gestational diabetes. A vegetable protein diet, specifically with nuts, in place of an animal protein diet, in particular red meat, was associated with a lower risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. The study extended over a 10-year period and included more than 21,000 healthy pregnancies among the 15,294 participants of the well-known and ongoing Nurses’ Health Study II cohort study. This study was funded by the Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health. The Nurses’ Health Study was funded by research grants from the National Institutes of Health.
Pistachio Fact4s
Pistachios are a cholesterol-free snack that contains just 1.5 grams of saturated fat and 13 grams of fat per serving, the majority of which comes from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat. A one-ounce serving of pistachios equals 49 nuts, which is more per serving than any other snack nut. Pistachios contain as much potassium per serving (300 mg, 8%) as an orange (250 mg, 7%), making them a nutritious snack choice or ingredient to incorporate into daily diets.
About American Pistachio Growers
American Pistachio Growers is a voluntary trade association representing pistachio growers, processors and industry partners in California, Arizona and New Mexico. These states represent 100% of domestic commercial pistachio production. APG pistachios are the “Official Snack” of USA Water Polo, professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones and the Miss California Organization. APG and its ambassadors share the goal of increasing national awareness about the nutritional benefits of pistachios. For more information, visit www.AmericanPistachios.org.
Source: American Pistachio Growers
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When the Fourth of July falls during the week, there’s no telling what may happen regarding refrigerated truck demand. Demand will be big – but how big? How big a factor will heat damage be to produce loads?
So many factors play into it. A significant factor, for example, in California’s Coachella and San Joaquin Valleys could the scortching temperatures. Coachella grapes and San Joaquin Valley stone fruit could develop quality problems. While temperatures are supposed to cool some over the long 4th of July holiday, triple digits were common this past weekend. So just be extra careful loading produce items that have been subjected to heat.
Washington state apricot shipments have joined other summer fruits such as cherries, peaches and blueberries. Loadings for apricots should continue through July.
Washington blueberries are in peak volume through July, with shipments continuing into October.
New York State
New York state ranks fifth in the nation for vegetable shipments and second with apples. Vegetable loadings will be cranking up in July from many parts of this huge state…..A big time rebound is being forecast for New York apples this season, which will get underway in August. Last season’s shipments were drastically cut due to weather factors.
Michigan
About 104 million pounds of Michigan blueberry shipments could wind up being the end-of-season total, up from 87 million pounds last year and the biggest since 2010’s total of 107 million pounds.
North American growers are expected to ship about 380 million pounds of fresh-market blueberries in 2013, up from about 330 million pounds in 2012.
Fresh blueberries loadings are expected to make up about 55% of U.S. blueberry production in 2013.
East Coast
North Carolina is shipping blueberries, South Carolina is loading peaches, while Georgia has everything from Fort Valley peaches, to Vidalia onions and a good variety of vegetables from the Southern part of the state.
California
Shipments and demand for refrigerated equipment can get pretty funky during the week when a holiday such as the Fourth of July falls on a week day. Produce buyers are already ordering post holiday fruits and veggies for deliveries to restock. Some eastbound coast-to-coast loads could concievably hit $10,000, but that’s simply a guess. You can bet $9000-plus is a good bet.
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The grilling season continues with the Fourth of July holiday, and Frieda’s, Inc. has some delicious and different holiday favorites. These colorful suggestions will make your produce department stand out.
“Fourth of July grilling is all about summer traditions like hot dogs and burgers, but consumers are also looking to change things up a bit and make their menu a little healthier by adding more fruits and vegetables,” said Karen Caplan, Frieda’s President and CEO. “They look to Frieda’s to add more flavors and colors to their summer barbecue.”
The grilling season, which kicked off with Memorial Day, continues with Independence Day and concludes on Labor Day weekend.
Here are some of Frieda’s featured Fourth of July grilling items that shoppers will be looking for in their favorite retail stores:
Star Spangled Spuds
Nothing says Fourth of July like red, white, and blue potatoes! Parboil them and finish on the grill. Or follow a delicious recipe for potato salad on the package.
Stokes Purple® Sweet Potatoes
Our brilliant colored tubers will liven up any gathering. Cut into wedges or ½ inch-thick slices, toss in olive oil, and put them right on the grill.
Fresh Ghost and Trinidad Scorpion Chiles
No chile lover would pass up the opportunity to test their limits with two of the world’s hottest chile peppers. Use sparingly in a salsa or homemade hot sauce as a condiment on grilled meat and vegetables.
Maui Onions
Brushed with olive oil and grill or served up fresh, no hamburger is complete without these sweet, pungent slices.
Angelcots®, Fuyu Persimmons, and Fresh Figs
Grilling adds depth to sweet and succulent fruits. They are transformed altogether once wrapped in bacon and grilled, lightly brushed with balsamic vinegar.
Yellow Seedless Watermelons
Simply brush slices with honey and grill until marked. Make into a salad with feta and fresh mint, or just finish with a squeeze of lime for a refreshing dessert.
About Frieda’s Inc.
Frieda’s Inc. celebrates more than 50 years of innovation in fresh produce. Founded in 1962 by Frieda Caplan, Frieda’s was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned and operated by a woman, and is still a family- and women-owned business today. With the mission of changing the way America eats fruits and vegetables, Frieda’s has introduced more than 200 specialty items to U.S. produce departments, including Kiwifruit, Spaghetti Squash, Habanero Peppers, Black Garlic and many more. Frieda’s officially declared 2013 as The Year of Purple. Find Frieda’s on Facebook, @FriedasProduce and www.friedas.com.
Source: Frieda’s Inc.
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While plenty of apples continue to be shipped from the 2012-13 season out of Washington state, the new crop will start heading to market, mostly by truck, in less than two months!
Estimates of apple shipments each pre-season tend to be conservative, so it wouldn’t surprise me if we ended up having record loadings, as happened for the 2012-13 season.
The nation’s leading shipper of apples, Washington state, will have fewer loads this coming season, but there will still be plenty of fruit for hauling – even from there.
An estimated 251 million bushels of fresh-market and processed-market apples are expected to be shipped in the new season, up from 215 million for the 2012-13 crop, according to estimates.
About 67% of U.S. apples typically go to the fresh market, according to the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.
While production in industry leader Washington is expected to fall, from 154 million to 148 million bushels, big gains in Michigan and New York, which were devastated by freezes in the spring of 2012, should result in even more apple loads than last season!
An estimated 26.3 million bushels of apples could ship from Michigan in the 2013-14 season, up from 2.7 million bushels this season.
New York production is expected to jump from 16.9 million to 34 million bushels.
Pennsylvania’s apple volumes are projected to fall from 11.7 million to 10.5 million bushels.
The 26.3 million bushel total in Michigan would be the largest since 2009, when about 27.4 million bushels shipped from the Wolverine State.
Washington state pretty much has a lock on apple shipments right now – grossing about $4300 to Chicago, around $6500 to New York City.
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There’s more table grapes than shippers know what to do with because loads are now coming out of Mexico, Coachella and Arvin – all at the same time. Mexican late season sugraones are peaking this week, with shippers needing to move 4.5 million boxes. Those are crossing the border at Nogales, AZ.
Meanwhile, the Arvin district near Bakersfield only started about a week ago and is now rapidly building in volume. One shipper recently stated, “You’ll see Mexico, Coachella, Arvin and Fresno County grapes all by the first week of July. It’s going to be interesting.”
By the time Coachella and Mexico have finished by mid July, the two regions will have shipped about 23 million boxes.
New Mexico Onions
New Mexico has about 20 onion growers and shippers concentrated in the southern part of the state. A little over 50% the state’s onion acreage usually originates out of Dona Ana County, while the balance is grown in Luna and Sierra counties.
All New Mexico onions grown are non-storage with most of the product being yellow onions, although there are some whites and some reds.
New Mexico has been shipping onions since late May and usually wraps up the season by late August, although a few packing sheds continue into mid-September.
There was 5,500 acres of New Mexico onions planted in 2012, down 10 % from 2011.
New Mexico onions – grossing about $3300 to Chicago.
Nogales grapes – about $5000 to Atlanta.
Coachella Valley grapes – about $8400 to New York City.
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When it comes to women and trucks, owner operator Mark Baumann has found if you treat your truck right, it will never let you down. Women are another matter. He also has a few issues with the large carriers, but one matter at a time.
On this particular day a few weeks in Chicago, it was a bright sunny day. Although he’d driven through some rain storms the night before, his 2005 Peterbilt still looked sharp, even though it needed a bath.
I’d love to see this rig at night with its 300 lights shining!
“My mom always said be seen, not heard,” Mark recalls. “Life has been good to me, but like anything else it has had its ups and downs. I’ve made a lot of money, but I’ve lost a lot of money.”
Mark hauls cheese under a lease to Wisconsin Refrigerated Express LLC out of Sheboygan, WI. Those loads are usually destined to Texas. On the return haul he’ll pick up fresh produce grown in South Texas or Mexico, which he delivers to the Anthony Marano Co. in Chicago. The large midwest produce distributor will unload him, and fill his truck with more produce for delivery to Wisconsin supermarkets.
He purchased his 379 Pete new in 2005 for $115,000 and has since logged nearly 1.3 million miles. It is powered by a C-15 Cat, 18-speed transmission with 3:55 rears. The rig features a fuel enhancing Pittsburgh box by HBA, allowing him to average 5 mpg, which he says is similar to one produced by Bully Dog.
He also owns a 2004 Great Dane, 48-food trailer with a Thermo King Whisper, a reefer unit known for its quietness and fuel efficency.
Mark loves his Pete and states if someone offered him what he paid for it new, he’d walk away from the offer.
“You can find a good woman anywhere. Women come and go, but a good truck is hard to come by,” states the 47-year-old trucker from Plymouth, WI. “That ole girl (Pete) will be with me til the day I die. She’ll do whatever I want, if I ask her nicely.”
He adds, “I always haul produce and cheese. Trucking is in my blood. Once it is there, you can’t get rid of it.”
Mark says he spends $2,800 a week on fuel. Although “that’s a good chunk of money, I’m making good money.”
However, like most successful owner operators, making money comes with a price. He is consistently logging about 3,400 miles per week and spends little time at home.
“I’m the guy they call when they say a job can’t be done,” he states.
Mark has been trucking 16 years and says it is the independent truckers that have built this industry; the small fleet owner with four or five trucks. However, he says it is becoming more difficult to compete with the rate slashing big fleets.
He also is critical of the new drivers hitting the highways for the large carriers, saying many have inadquate training before being put behind the wheel of a big rig.
“A lot of bad things can happen with lack of enough training. They train them for three weeks, give them a new Kenworth and tell them to the head to California. You can replace a rig, but you can’t replace a life,” he observes.
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NewsAnthony Marano Co. , Bully Dog , C-15 Cat , feature , Great Dane , HBA , Kenworth , Mark Baumann , Peterbilt , Pittsburgh box , Thermo King Whisper , Wisconsin Refrigerated Express
Low-fat herb dips can increase a child’s consumption of vegetables, according to a study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Researchers with the Center for Childhood Obesity Research at Pennsylvania State University studied 3- to 5-year-olds in a childcare center in an online study recently published.
Preschoolers ate significantly more of a previously rejected or disliked vegetable – in this case, celery and squash – with a reduced-fat herb dip than when served alone, the study revealed.
Additonally, only 31% would eat the vegetable by itself, compared to 64% with the dip.
“The most fool-proof way to inspire our kids’ intake of fruits and veggies is by introducing snacks that are easy, taste amazing and satisfy both sweet and savory cravings,” stated a press release by produce shipper Ready Pac.
According to market research firm Mintel, 75% or more of children and teens snack between meals, but innovation in snack foods targeting them dropped 16% from 2008 to 2012. Even so, dairy, fruit and vegetable product launches experienced growth in the period, according to Mintel.
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While plenty of apples continue to be shipped from the 2012-13 season out of Washington state, the new crop will start heading to market, mostly by truck, in less than two months!
