Posts Tagged “storage”

Texas Looking to Allow Heavier Trucks to Cross Border

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DSCN0159Overweight trucks legally transporting produce into the USA from Mexico might be possible, if the state of Texas eases some rules and regulations.  The state and some others see a benefit of easing border congestion.

The Texas House of Representatives recently passed legislation to create an “overweight corridor” at the USA -Mexico border, and the Texas Senate is expected to vote on it soon.

The proposed corridor, from the Anzalduas Bridge to the Pharr/Reynosa Bridge, would be an area where Mexican trucks carrying fresh produce would be able to enter the U.S. even if they were overweight. Trucks would then offload their extra weight at a U.S. cold storage facility.

A Mexican truck, under current law, carrying produce that weighs too much, faces a stiff fine if it crosses into the USA.

Currently, trucks are weighed on the Mexican side of the border, and extra product is typically offloaded there if the truck is overweight.  This procedure delays truck movement at the border and exposes perishable fruits and vegetables to the elements as it waits for another truck to pick it up.

Trucks that are overweight would be charged a fee, under the proposed law, which is much smaller than the current fine.  The big rig would then be allowed to proceed to a cold storage facility in the overweight zone’s boundaries.

Arizona already has a similar law.

Funds from the overweight fees would be used to maintain the roads that will be carrying the heavier loads.

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Hunts Point: World’s Largest Food Distribution Center

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HUNTS POINT WHOLESALE TERMINAL MARKET FACTS:

* Located on 113 acres in the South Bronx .  Hunts Point is owned by New York City.

* Four primary rows with each being one-third of a mile long.

* 1 million square feet of interior space.

* Opened in 1967.

*Has operated as a co-op for about 20 years.

*Has elected board of directors representing about 50 produce companies on the market.

*Hunts Point employees over 3,500 workers.

*Hunts Point serves about 23 million people, mostly in the Northeast with produce from across the nation and from around the world .

*Hunts Point is the largest food distribution center in the world and also includes the Fulton Fish Market.  Revenues exceed $2 billion a year.

*Negotiations between the market and NYC over the past 10 years to build a new facility have failed.  Produce wholesalers cite needs for more and better cold storage.  Rebuilding, renovation, and moving the market to New Jesery are often topics of discussion.

*Unloading delays are commong at Hunts Point in part due to lack of cold storage. Refrigerated trailers are often used as storage facilities.  Truckers receive no detention for delayed unloading.

 *Hunts Point receives $172.5 million in cash and tax breaks from New York City.

*Hunts Point leaders are in a “fight” with the NYC’s  Business Integrity Commission, an agency created to root out organized crime in the carting industry.  The commission has overstepped its authority and is interfering with business by setting operating hours and hitting delivery and storage trucks with parking tickets, produce house operators say.  They feel the commission has over stepped its authority and its mission should only deal with organized crime.

 

 

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Blueberry Storage Technology is Introduced

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SALINAS, Calif. –TransFRESH Corporation has announced that in partnership with Landec Corporation, its Tectrol® Service Network storage solution for blueberries is now available featuring Landec’s BreatheWay® Technology supplied by Apio, Inc., offering growers and shippers further enhanced storage capability.

The specialized BreatheWay membrane technology delivers bag permeability characteristics that more precisely match blueberry respiration rates for better balanced atmospheres and storage stability.

“We are very pleased to introduce this further enhancement of the Tectrol Service Network storage solution for blueberries,” said Rich Macleod, TransFRESH vice president, pallet division North America. “With an increased interest from growers and shippers in blueberry storage capabilities, the application of the BreatheWay® membrane technology to the Tectrol blueberry storage solution now offers our business partners added storage benefits.”

The TransFRESH Tectrol team collaborated closely with Landec and its wholly owned subsidiary, Apio Inc., throughout the application of the BreatheWay technology to the Tectrol blueberry storage solution program.

TransFRESH also unveiled a pallet bag label for its blueberry program featuring a new contemporary blueberry image along with the TransFRESH logotype and Apio, Inc. BreatheWay® Technology identification and patent number.

About TransFRESH®

TransFRESH® Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB), is a pioneering and established global company, with nearly 50 years of experience in perishables transport. Tectrol® is the trademarked brand name for the TransFRESH® family of proprietary modified and controlled atmosphere systems and processes developed and owned by TransFRESH®. The Tectrol® Service Network™ services, markets and supports the Tectrol Pallet Systems operations and technologies. Since inception, TransFRESH’s innovations in packaging, equipment and sealing processes have established Tectrol® as the industry standard. For more information, visit the TransFRESH website at www.TransFresh.com.

About Apio, Inc.

Apio, Inc., founded in 1979 by five growers of celery in the Santa Maria Valley in the central coastal region of California has grown to become the leader in processing and marketing fresh-cut specialty packaged vegetables in the U.S. Headquartered in Guadalupe, California, Apio sells its specialty packaged vegetables in convenient bag and tray formats under the Eat Smart® brand. Apio’s fresh-cut specialty packaged vegetable products are unique in that they utilize the Landec Corporation BreatheWay® proprietary breathable packaging technology to extend the shelf life of specific produce. Landec acquired Apio in 1999. For more information about Apio visit Apio’s website at www.apioinc.com.

 About Landec Corp.

 Landec Corporation is a materials science company that leverages its proprietary polymer technologies, application development and innovation capabilities to develop and commercialize new products in food, agricultural and biomedical markets. Landec’s subsidiary, Apio, has become the leader in US fresh-cut specialty packaged vegetables by combining Landec’s proprietary food packaging technology with the capabilities of a large national food supplier, processor and distributor. Lifecore Biomedical, also a subsidiary of Landec, is a leading supplier of premium hyaluronan-based biomaterials for the ophthalmic and orthopedic markets. Landec’s Licensing Partnerships work closely with market-leading companies to develop and commercialize differentiated polymer-based products. For more information, visit Landec’s website at www.landec.com

News Release:  TransFresh Corporation

 

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