Too often, if not most often it seems, company drivers and leased owner operators have plenty of criticism for the carrier with whom they work.
Driver Rex Criddle of Downey, ID can’t say enough good things about his company, Doug Andrus Distributing LLC of Idaho Falls, ID. It is a family owned carrier that has been around a long time (DOT number is 000234).
“They (Andrus) are a religious, hard working people who treat their people right, plus they maintain good values,” Rex says. He notes the fleet owner drove trucks for 20 years and got a good understanding of the profession before moving into the office. Andrus runs about 250 trucks with flatbed, reefer and bulk divisions.
Rex says even though he is happy working for the fleet operation, he takes nothing for granted.
“They could sell out tomorrow to a Swift (Transportation), and things could change,” he states. “I always tell my kids, the first check that bounces, you get another job. The first fuel card that won’t work, you start looking elsewhere for work.”
He also pragmatically states the DOT may appear at your door one day and shut down your operation. Again, he doesn’t take anything for granted.
One change in trucking Rex likes are the new electronic logbooks. He says they are more simple, plus easier to fill out.
“It’s not worth having logbook violations on your record,” he states. “It seems the DOT is more interested in safety violations than anything.”
For example, he points to the CSA-2010 rules administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which many in transportation view as unfairly rating the safety of motor carriers.
“I seriously wonder how many of the older drivers want to continue putting up with all these rules, while the younger kids want to be home more often,” he says.
At one time in his career Rex was farming, then 12 years ago began driving for a regional carrier. He says both trucking and farming have a lot in common and both provide a lot of independence.
Rex has been driving for Andrus Distributing for 10 years. He had an accident while driving early in his career, but since this time has had a perfect driving record. This also has resulted in Rex receiving his Million Mile Safe Driving Award.
“It always seems to be the (truck) driver’s fault in an accident. These four wheelers don’t seem to realize how dangerous getting hit by an 80,000-pound truck can be. You have to learn how to relax while driving. I learned this driving a farm tractor.”
Rex does a lot of team driving with his wife Lori Criddle, except when she is spending time at home with her grand children.
“I think my wife is a better driver than I am. We make a good pair. Team driving can either strengthen your marriage, or it can ruin it,” he observes. “She’s done a great job of raising the kids. One of daughter just recently got married.”
Rex and Lori have one child, while he has another six children from a previous marriage.
The couple drives a Freightliner Cascadia. It is equipped with an automatic transmission. The truck has a 70-inch sleeper and pulls a 53-foot Utility trailer with a Carrier Transcold reef unit.
Rex had just delivered a load of Idaho potatoes to the Atlanta State Farmers Market. He was then going to pick up a load of beer in Albany, GA for delivery to Vancouver, WA.
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Truckers and their families along with everyone else could see retail prices for fresh fruits and vegetables rise between 3% and 5% in 2013.
The USDA’s Economic Research Service in a recent food price forecast estimates retail fresh fruit prices will rise 3% to 4% this year after rising only 1% in 2012.
Fresh vegetable retail prices will climb between 4% and 5% this year, compared with 5.1% deflation in 2012.
The USDA-ERS inflation forecast for both all food and food-at-home prices in 2013 is 2.5% to 3.5%.
“This forecast means that prices are likely to increase more than in 2012, but that overall inflation is expected to be near the historical average for both indexes,” according to a report summary.
Strongest inflation is associated with animal-based food products due to higher feed prices. For most other food products not affected by the drought, inflation for 2013 will be at or perhaps below normal levels.
The USDA notes fresh fruit prices increased 2.4% in May, and the fresh fruit retail index is up 2.1% compared with a year ago. Retail apple prices were 12.4% higher, while banana prices are 1.1% down and citrus prices up 1.2%.
Fresh vegetable prices at retail declined 2% in May, with fresh vegetable prices up 3.3% compared with a year ago. Potato prices are down 6.1%, lettuce prices are up 4.4% and tomato prices were up 11.4% compared with a year ago.
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It seems that the old saying “the more things change, the more things stay the same” is as true as Isaac Newton’s law of gravity. One thing for certain, it ain’t a pretty picture.
To quote Benjamin Franklin…”We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”
In the United States, that has never been more true than it is today. Looking at news headlines all year has convinced me that we have already become a nation where the morons far outnumber the rest of us.
Let’s look at some of the more notable issues of this past year. In Detroit Michigan they spent $15,000 per student on public education with a 24.7% graduation rate. Now just what employer wants to hire someone who has demonstrated they are a quitter by dropping out of school? I can’t imagine why they have such a high unemployment rate in Detroit, can you?
We have a President that plays golf all the time and waits for Congress to work together and bring solutions to him. That’s like being a general and waiting for your troops to work out the battle plans. Do you think just maybe we have a failure of leadership here?
The state of California is drowning in overspending and debt and who do they elect for governor? Good old “Governor Moonbeam”. The same Jerry Brown who spent them into oblivion the last time he was governor.
We have a retirement supplemental program called Social Security, that everyone knows is running out of money rapidly, and what does our infinitely wise government do? They classify drug addiction as a disability so drug addicts can suck off of Social Security disability payments. After all, we wouldn’t want those poor disabled drug addicts not to have the money to buy more drugs now, would we?
In this Presidential campaign the President’s campaign managers declared that Governor Romney had a “war on women”. Now just how does a man that has five children engage in a “war on women”? Five kids kind of indicates that you like women pretty well doesn’t it?
New York citys Mayor Bloomberg has outlawed soft drinks over 16 ounces to limit the sugar intake of New Yorkers. Instead of buying a single 24 ounce drink New Yorkers are now buying two 16 ounce drinks. I guess old Mayor Bloomberg just isn’t very good at math.
The number one problem in Mexico is drug gang violence, and it has resulted in over 35,000 murders. So what does our Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) do? They allow shipments of over 2,000 assault weapons to be sent across the border to Mexican drug cartels. Now that makes sense doesn’t it? Makes you think maybe the ATF has been hiring Detroit dropouts.
The Chicago teachers are some of the highest compensated teachers in the nation. So what do they do? They go on strike because they don’t want to be held accountable for their performance. I just can’t imagine why Chicago schools are failing, can you?
The pièce de résistance rests in the White House and holds the nation’s office of the Vice President of The United States. I like to call him “Gaffy Duck” Joe Biden. This is a guy that is the envy of all the writers on Saturday Night Live. They can never top the things that this guy comes up with. He was the very first person to note…. “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.” Now that doesn’t imply that the former African-American candidates were mumbling, stupid, dirty, and ugly does it, Joe?
Does it worry you that this idiot is just a heartbeat away from the Presidency? I mean this guy was laughing all the time in vice presidental debate about Iran obtaining a nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching Cincinnati. Nice to know the nation’s VP thinks ICBMs in the hands of Islamic martyrs are laughable.
I don’t know, maybe it’s me and the fact that I’m getting older, but it just seems that common sense has left this country and moved to China. You know, the place where Jeep is putting in a new factory and according to our nation’s leaders they will never import Chinese made Jeeps to the U.S.
Oh well, I think I’m just going to take the “Bloomberg common sense” solution to all of this. Instead of ordering a 20 ounce margarita I’m going to order two 12 ounce ones instead! I guess that’s the new math.
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.
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As with many other produce shipments this year, vegetable loadings out of Kentucky and Tennessee are late due to whacky weather conditions of past months, but movement is finally picking up.
Most of the loading opportunities are for deliveries within the regions, generally 300 to 500 miles at most, and often less distance.
Kentucky produce shipments, as well as Tennessee produce shipments include items ranging from green beans to peppers, watermelons and squash. Be on the alert for quality problems, especially with squash, which is susceptable to exessive rains, the region has had in some areas this spring and summer.
New Jersey
Peach shipments from the southern part of the state are increasing, while blueberry volume is in a seasonal decline.
Eastern Shore
The Eastern Shore area of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia has light to moderate shipments of mixed vegetables, ranging from tomatoes to potatoes, sweet corn and squash.
South Carolina
Squash shipments and other mixed vegetables are increasing in volume from the Lexington district. South Carolina also has moderate shipments of peaches, primarily from shippers south of Columbus. Tomatoes loadings are increasing from the Charleston-Beaufort district.
Georgia
Watermelons are one of the heaviest volume items being shipped averaging about 1,000 truck loads per week. Some south Georgia veggies such as squash are coming to a seasonal end…..Vidalia onions from Southeastern Georgia continue in moderate volume….Fort Valley area peaches are providing moderate loadings.
Georgia watermelons, peaches and veggies – grossing about $3200 to New York City.
Southern New Jersey produce items – about $900 to New York City.
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There has long been research — both anecdotal and data-based — suggesting a positive link between the eating of fruits and vegetables and healthy outcomes, including disease prevention.
The National Mango Board is working to pursue the connection, specifically with mangos, and has some research on its side. The board is publicizing early results of some studies and refining the nutrition message as it promotes mango and green papaya salad.
New mango nutrition research on obesity and cancer are the subjects recently presented at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in Boston. The research identifies important findings that merit further investigation to determine whether mangos can potentially have a positive effect on blood sugar in obese individuals and help to limit inflammation.
An Oklahoma State University study examined the effects of daily mango consumption on the obese. Twenty adults participated in the study, consuming significant amounts of mangos in a dried form for 12 weeks. Blood sugar levels at the conclusion of the study were significantly lower than the baseline in both male and female subjects, but there were no significant changes in body composition for either gender.
Texas A&M had another study on the effects of polyphenols found in fresh mangos on cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells, which were examined. This study suggests that mango polyphenols might limit inflammatory response in both cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells. Because this was an in vitro study, more research is needed to determine whether mango polyphenols can have the same effect in humans.
The National Mango Board is actively marketing the nutrition message, which claims that mangos are a nutrient-rich fruit containing more than 20 different vitamins and minerals. The NMB states that mangos are an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A. Vitamin C is important for wound healing and immune function; and vitamin A is critical for vision and helps maintain healthy skin.
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The last potatoes of the shipping season, which have been held in storages for months, may have quality problems which could result in rejected loads or claims. The good news is there are very few russetts left in major shipping states such as Idaho.
What started out as a huge crop last fall, has faded quickly since spring. Packouts have been off due to quality problems and some spuds have even been used a cattle feed.
There is light volume with the new crop of red and yellow potatoes out of Washington and Oregon with shipments picking up the week of July 22. Russet loadings should get going between July 22 and Aug. 1.
Overall potato shipments are going to be very light around the country until about the second week of August, as the new crop starts gaining steam.
Blueberries
Big volumes of blueberries are seen from Oregon and British Columbia in July and August — and likely even into September. There have been few complaints regarding size, or taste, which means fewer problems for drivers at unloading docks.
Grapes
In California, record shipments of table grapes are still being seen for this season. Another forecast will be issued in late July.
Last year California topped 100 million boxes of grapes shipped for the first time. This season observers are looking at shipments hitting nearly 107 million, 19-pound cartons. Hang on sloopy, that’s a lot of fruit! Grape loadings are taking place from the Arvin district.
Over half of California’s grapes will be shipped after Labor Day and extending into December, a trend that has come as newer, late variety grapes have been developed.
San Joaquin Valley grapes and stone fruit – grossing about $8,000 to New York City.
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If you’re planning to haul New Jersey produce be extra cautious and know what you are loading when it comes to quality. Tomato and potato crops are being threatened by late blight.
It is a destructive fast-spreading disease and has been found on five farms in the state. The disease of Irish potato famine notoriety, creates fuzzy spores and dark lesions on leaves and stems of tomatoes and potatoes and quickly kills the entire plant.
Meanwhile, no quality problems have been reported with New Jersey peaches, which are now being shipped to destinations on the East Coast and some to the midwest.
New Jersey blueberry shipments have been going at a good, steady pace and should continue into mid August. The only distruptions have been a few occasions when rain has delayed harvest, which in turns affects packing and shipping.
Maine
A fair amount of Maine broccoli is being shipped between now and mid October. Up to a million cartons should be loaded during the season for destinations along the East coast and into the midwest.
Florida
Florida is pretty dead this time of year when comes to loads. A quick look back at the Florida citrus shipping season shows it was a little disppointing. There were fewer loads of oranges, grapefruit and a lot less tangerines.
In its July 11 final season report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported all orange production declining 9% from the previous season, and tangerines saw a 22% drop.
This season, total orange production fell from 146.7 million equivalent cartons to 133.4 million cartons, with the late season valencias also seeing a 9% drop from last season’s 72.5 million cartons to 68.3 million cartons this year.
Grapefruit production fell 2.2% from the previous year, from 18.8 million equivalent cartons to 18.4 million cartons.
Though 96% of Florida’s oranges are grown for processing, about 60% of its navels, 70% of its tangerines and 40% of its colored grapefruit ship to fresh markets, primarily by truck.
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Company driver Leonard Capps has driven one million accident-free miles during his 38 years in trucking, and has the seal on the side of the big rig he drives to prove it.
He earned his million-mile award about three years ago, while driving for his current carrier, Werner Enterprises, The Omaha -based company he’s now been with 11 years.
Leonard is proud of the fact he’s had no accidents, and has never been arrested during his career. He’s driven for a number of companies over the years and has received safety awards at every stop along the way.
He was an owner operator for about three years after completing his enlistment in the Army.
“My dad suggested when I got out of the service I start driving a truck. I’ve been doing it ever since,” he says.
Leonard was stationed in Germany during his military stint, then lived in Chicago after he got out of the Army. He then moved to Mississippi now calls Iuka, Ms home.
At one time during his career the driver hauled a lot of fresh produce out of California to Walmart distribution centers. These days, most of his driving is in the Southeastern USA, although he’ll get as far north occasionally as Pennsylvania delivering Sara Lee products.
Leonard drives a 2010 Peterbilt housing a 475 hp Cummins diesel, with an eight speed transmission and 70-inch sleeper. He was pulling a 53-Utility trailers with a Carrier reefer unit.
While he still enjoys trucking, the excessive rules and regulations make it more difficult. For example, he was parked in a Georiga truck stop waiting for another driver to take over the load for final delivery.
“I only had 30 minutes left on my 14-hour restart, so I had only driven a few miles. After the other driver picks up the trailer, I’m going to deadhead home.”
While he continues to enjoy trucking and seeing different places, Leonard admits it is not as much fun as it used to be.
“Nobody talks to you anymore; not even other company drivers. There are four or five other Werner drivers parked here; we ought to at least be talking to one another,” he says.
Leonard logs about 60,000 miles a year, unlike the 135,000 annual miles he used to drive. There also is a 62 mph governor of that Pete. Still, he’s got those million miles of safe driving under his belt. That’s something of which to be proud.
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The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family. It is extremely rare that bromeliads produce edible fruit. The pineapple is the only available edible bromeliad today.
It is a multiple fruit. One pineapple is actually made up of dozens of
individual floweret’s that grow together to form the entire fruit. Each
scale on a pineapple is evidence of a separate flower. Pineapples stop ripening the minute they are picked. Color is relatively unimportant in determining ripeness. Choose your pineapple by smell. If it smells fresh, tropical and
sweet, it will be a good fruit.
The more scales on the pineapple, the sweeter and juicier the taste. After you cut off the top, you can plant it.
This delicious fruit is not only sweet and tropical; it also offers many benefits to our health. Pineapple is a remarkable fruit.
We find it enjoyable because of its lush, sweet and exotic flavor, but it may also be one of the most healthful foods available today. If we take a more detailed look at it, we will find that pineapple is valuable for easing indigestion, arthritis or sinusitis.
The juice has an anthelmintic effect; it helps get rid of intestinal worms.
Let’s look at how pineapple affects other conditions. Pineapple is high in manganese, a mineral that is critical to development of strong bones and connective tissue. A cup of fresh pineapple will give you nearly 75% of the recommended daily amount. It is particularly helpful to older adults, whose bones tend to become brittle with age.
Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is the key to pineapple’s value. Proteolytic means “breaks down protein”, which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It helps the body digest proteins more efficiently. Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory. Regular ingestion of at least one half cup of fresh pineapple daily is purported to relieve painful joints common to osteoarthritis. It also produces mild pain relief.
In Germany, bromelain is approved as a post-injury medication because it is
thought to reduce inflammation and swelling. Orange juice is a popular liquid for those suffering from a cold because it is high in Vitamin C. Fresh pineapple is not only high in this vitamin, but because of the Bromelain, it has the ability to reduce mucous in the throat.
If you have a cold with a productive cough, add pineapple to your diet.
It is commonly used in Europe as a post-operative measure to cut mucous
after certain sinus and throat operations.
Those individuals who eat fresh pineapple daily report fewer sinus problems
related to allergies. In and of itself, pineapple has a very low risk for allergies.
Pineapple is also known to discourage blood clot development. This makes
it a valuable dietary addition for frequent fliers and others who may be at risk for blood clots.
An old folk remedy for morning sickness is fresh pineapple juice. It really works! Fresh juice and some nuts first thing in the morning often make a difference. It’s also good for a healthier mouth. The fresh juice discourages plaque growth.
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With $328 billion in U.S. retail sales, Walmart holds a dominant position as the largest retailer in the United States.
In 2012 Walmart had higher sales numbers than the second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-largest retailers combined, according to STORES magazine’s annual report on the top 100 retailers in the United States. The U.S. accounts for approximately 70 percent of Walmart’s $467 billion in worldwide sales.
Kroger, with more than $92 billion in sales, came in second on the list. The Cincinnati-based company operates entirely in the U.S. and saw a 6.6 percent increase in sales from 2011 to 2012.
Target, another retailer operating entirely in the U.S., came in third, with just under $72 billion in sales and a 5.1 percent increase over 2011.
Costco, another large-format retailer, came in fourth at $71 billion in sales, but it also saw a 10.6 percent increase in sales over 2011.
According to the report, supermarkets on the Top 100 list had average sales of $21.2 billion in 2012.
Safeway, based in Pleasanton, CA, had the ninth-largest sales numbers for 2012. The $37.5 billion in U.S. sales accounted for nearly 89 percent of it’s global total.
A complete listing of the top 100 U.S. retailers is available at stores.org.
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