PHARR, TX – What does the new year hold for Triple H, the Texas-based fresh vegetable grower-shipper with strong ties to partners in Mexico? The company is optimistic and primed for a bright 2017 with expansion plans in the works.
“There is going to be an exponential growth of the entrances that are being made by this [the Texas/Mexico] border, especially in the winter season,” predicts Heriberto Vlaminck, Vice President of Operations for Triple H. “More and more people are sending more fruit on the Texas side; obviously, this comes hand in hand with the increase in cold storage facilities in the area.”
Vlaminck adds that the company saw a significant volume growth—25 percent—from 2015 to 2016. The burgeoning market for fresh fruits and vegetables from Mexico in recent years has driven growth in infrastructure, and 2017 promises to continue the trend, with a construction boom and expanded capacity for imported produce feeding off each other. And construction on the Pharr Bridge, a major point of entry for the company’s supply of produce, has prompted redoubled efforts from importers and exporters in the region.
“There is a boom in the construction of cold storage facilities in the counties of Pharr, Hidalgo, San Juan and Mission; this comes hand in hand with all the construction, expansion, and improvement projects being done on the Pharr Bridge,” notes Vlaminck. “And with all the increase that is occurring in the number of cold storage facilities, there will be a very strong growth in imports of vegetables and fruits in this area.”
Vlaminck also notes that, while there has been an uptick in the building of distribution facilities in Texas near the border, there are impediments to uninhibited growth in the region. Lack of adequate storage facilities—a problem which is currently being worked on—and the capacity of bridges that carry goods across the border.
Vlaminck is also quick to point out that expanding infrastructure and developing Eagle Pass as an entrance to San Antonio, already a strategic center in produce distribution, would be beneficial to produce providers and consumers.
In the next two years, Triple H is planning to expand SmartCold, the company’s cold storage facility in Pharr, Texas, and to begin construction on a new cold storage facility in Otay, California. Additionally, the company is looking to expand into several new fruit categories—offering grapes, strawberries, and blueberries, and step up year-round supplies of many of its offerings.
“We already have roma tomato and jalapeño 365 days a year,” says Vlaminck “The next step is to have cucumbers and bell peppers year-round as well.”
We at AndNowUKnow will keep you up-to-date on this and other growing companies in this important region.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – It’s no industry secret that consumers love the taste of a creamy avocado, but it looks as though criminals have now been added darker reasons to that appreciation list. A New York man was recently busted for smuggling cocaine in a shipping container of avocados.
The container filled with avocados originally came from the Dominican Republic, and was shipped by the now-indicted Siffredo Gonzalez. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, nestled amongst the avocados was around 183 pounds of cocaine.
Officers discovered the odious cargo during a search at Port Everglades in Florida on December 15. News source ABC Local 10 reported that after the cocaine was seized, Gonzalez met with an undercover agent and paid him $25,000 to return to the confiscated goods.
Since doubling down on his offenses, if convicted, Gonzalez will face a sentence of ten years and a maximum statutory sentence of life imprisonment on each of his two indictment counts. No word has yet been released on the fate of the avocados.
Will the world of fresh fruits and vegetables come out on top once again, in its ongoing action against the seedy side of society? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
IRVINE, CA - As America’s appetite for avocados grows every year, the arrival of Fresh California Avocados is a welcome sight for the industry.
“Seasonal and local ingredients are hot buttons for consumers when they dine, and Fresh California Avocados satisfy both requirements for foodservice operators,” said Jan DeLyser, Vice President of Marketing of the California Avocado Commission.
According to the Commission, foodservice operators count on Fresh California Avocados for their quality, consistency, Golden State origin, rich flavor, and silky texture to add seasonal appeal to traditional favorites and signature dishes.
Now is the time to showcase the taste, color, and unique essence of Fresh California Avocados. Imbuing every recipe with unique flavor; every slice, dice and cube of Fresh California Avocado offers an irresistible excuse for one more bite. From a breakfast treat like a California Avocado Chimichurri Egg Salad Toast, to a quick and satisfying Kale-California Avocado Tabouli Salad, to an elegant first course like Ensalada Aguachile with California Avocado, the Commission says that serving Fresh California Avocados makes for a sure sign of quality and care.
Browse the California Avocado Commission recipe database for more spring and summer menu solutions for all dining segments and dayparts. While visiting CaliforniaAvocado.com/Foodservice, these helpful resources can help optimize Fresh California Avocado usage: nutrition, selection, storage, and handling information.
MONTEREY, CA - Dole is looking to offer on-the-go consumers an easy healthy snack with its newly-launched Dole® Go Berries!™
“While fruit remains America’s top daytime snack choice, there hasn’t been an easy way for shoppers to enjoy their favorite berries away from home–until now,” said CarrieAnn Arias, VP of Marketing for Dole Fresh Vegetables and Berries. “Dole Go Berries! allows busy shoppers to combine their preference for fresh strawberries with out-of-the-home snacking convenience for the first time.”
Available in three snack-size packages that snap apart, each container provides four ounces of fresh Dole strawberries designed to capitalize on the growing mobile snacking trend, according to a press release. The products will be ventilated for freshness and easy rinsing, with a proprietary package that Dole said is the first to provide “snap-rinse-go” convenience.
“We’re looking to expand how–and where–berry lovers enjoy their favorite fruit,” said Arias. “Simply snap-off one of the right-sized snack packs, rinse right in the package, and enjoy the goodness of Dole strawberries wherever you go. Go Berries! satisfies the growing preference to take berry snacking outside the home and offers a unique, fun, fresh and healthy alternative to nutrition and energy bars.”
Arias stated that, according to Dole Home Use Tests:
- 80 percent of those sampling GO Berries! would likely purchase the product
- 60 percent of berry consumers would buy GO Berries! in addition to the customary 1-pound clamshells
- Panelists cited, in addition to convenience, the perception that the snack-sized packs would keep the berries fresher than conventional packaging
Dole Go Berries! are set to begin arriving in stores in mid-February at an SRP comparable to Dole strawberries in traditional 1-pound clamshells.
DELANO, CA & FORT PIERCE, FL - Wonderful Citrus, a leading grower, shipper, and packer of fresh citrus, has announced a set of strategic acquisitions in Florida. The company has purchased DNE World Fruit and DNE International, a leading Florida citrus marketer and exporter, respectively. Additionally, the company has purchased the assets of World Pack Cold Storage, a division of DNE Imports.
“The addition of DNE and World Pack to the Wonderful Citrus family significantly enhances our ability to serve customers year-round with a variety of fresh citrus offerings,” said David Krause, President of Wonderful Citrus, according to a press release. “We’re thrilled that this makes us the top grapefruit distributor in America and allows us to serve as the exclusive marketer for all of DNE’s Florida citrus.”
Wonderful Citrus is acquiring DNE’s citrus marketing and import business, along with World Pack’s cold storage, bagging, repack, and distribution center in New Jersey. This acquisition, combined with the other strategic acquisitions such as I. Kunik Company and B&S Grupo Exportador in 2016, position Wonderful Citrus to continue climbing as a leading importer of counter-seasonal citrus products in the U.S., while doubling the company’s grapefruit position.
“Wonderful Citrus is a well-respected leader within the fresh citrus industry,” said Greg Nelson, President of DNE World Fruit, according to the statement. “The opportunity to significantly expand our sales reach and access new markets was a very attractive part of this deal. We look forward to teaming up with Wonderful to better leverage our collective strengths in the global citrus marketplace.”
DNE’s sales employees will be offered positions with Wonderful Citrus, and Greg Nelson will stay on with the company as an advisor.
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Jacobs Village Farm satisfied a reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).
According to a USDA press release, the Brooklyn, New York-based company can continue operating in the produce industry upon applying for and being issued a PACA license. Jacob Yusifov was listed as the Officer, Director, and Major Stockholder of the business, and may now be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee.
USDA is required to impose sanctions on a business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including Sole Proprietors, Partners, Members, Managers, Officers, Directors, or Major Stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.
Once a reparation order is fully satisfied and it is confirmed that there are not any outstanding unpaid awards, USDA lifts the employment restrictions of the previously named, responsibly connected individuals. USDA also requires any unlicensed company that fully satisfies all unpaid reparation awards to obtain a license if it continues to operate in the industry.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 3,500 PACA claims involving more than $58 million. Its experts also assisted more than 8,000 callers with issues valued at approximately $140 million.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Punxsutawney Phil has spoken, and it looks like this Groundhog Day is predicting the produce industry will be seeing six more weeks of winter.
For me, Groundhog Day brings another image to mind: Bill Murray, reliving the same day over and over again, quipping and quibbling with coworkers and townsfolk (“they’re hicks, Rita”), and even asking arresting police officers “too early for flapjacks?”
In the last twenty-odd years, Harold Ramis' Groundhog Day, the 1993 feature film starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell, has become a modern classic that still holds up today. The movie is about perfecting his day-to-day, hum-drum life into something magnificent.
Written, directed, acted, and produced by one of my favorite comedic authors, Harold Ramis—a real auteur, who cut his teeth at National Lampoon and SCTV. Ramis has written comedies like Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, and Stripes that, in my opinion, still hold up today. He has since cemented his place in the cannon of great comedic filmmakers.
Ramis was an extraordinary talent and Groundhog Day is a treat that bears repeat viewings. There are too many favorite moments to list in one story.
How does this relate to produce? I'm not sure, but I couldn't help myself.
OXNARD, CA – Looking to further promote California avocados throughout the globe, Mission Produce has set its eye on improved technology to achieve its goal. The company announced that in this vein, it has expanded and improved its California grower website.
"We are excited about our website launch and the information it provides for growers. Our goal is to create a better connection with growers by showing them the investments Mission has made to help promote California avocados both domestically and in export markets," said Keith Barnard, Director of Global Sourcing.
The site is beneficial for both current Mission avocado growers and those interested in learning more about grower partnerships. According to a press release, the website boasts a single page format that is easy to navigate either through scrolling, or an interactive grid at the top.
The website has an up-to-date calendar that lists all Mission Produce and California avocado industry events. Additionally, the site also features Mission’s collection of diverse and experienced field staff, so growers can connect with the best-suited staff member to their needs.
"We believe that this new site will allow our growers to have a very informative experience as we continue to grow as a leader in the avocado category," continued Barnard.
Growers will also have access to a plethora of avocado growing information, tips, and food safety updates through the updated site.
Check out the new website for yourself, here.
WENATCHEE, WA – Stemilt’s latest Fruit Tracker Fast Facts video analysis is finally here, and enterprising retailers can peruse the company’s findings and strategize to optimize apple sales going forward. The company’s analysis of U.S. apple category performance in December of 2016 features the latest set of Nielsen retail scan data.
Top performing apple varieties remained the unchanged from November 2016, with Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Red Delicious rounding out the top five. The top two—Gala and Honeycrisp—saw a significant volume increase, up 3.4 and 2.5 percent respectively, from the same timeframe last year.
“Volume increases on Honeycrisp and Gala tell us that promotions were in place on these key varieties in December,” said Brianna Shales, Stemilt’s Communications Manager, in a company press release. “With larger fruit size this year, bulk promotions must run frequently on top varieties. Missing even one multi-variety ad can result in a dip in apple category performance, and with a produce department contribution of nearly 7 percent, that’s not something retailers can afford to have happen.”
The data highlights the Central region’s exceptional apple performance—where roughly 7.3 percent of produce department sales come from apples. Throughout the U.S., on average, apples made up 6.7 percent of total produce department sales in December—up 0.3 percent from the same time a year prior.
Throughout the U.S., the average retail price for apples in December was $1.62 per pound. Bulk apples accounted for 62.9 percent of volume with an average retail of $1.74 per pound. Bags made up the remaining 37.1 percent and averaged $1.41 per pound at retail.
Three-pound and five-pound bags were the top sellers in the bagged apple category. Three-pound bags made up 68.2 percent of volume, followed by five-pound bags at 14.6 percent, six-pound bags at 7.4 percent, and two-pound bags 4.4 percent. Stemilt led the way, in the top two companies, in two different bag sizes, thanks to the company's popular Lil Snappers® three-pound pouch bags of kid-sized apples and its new five-pound Apple Lover packs. Both pouch bags are available in several varieties and are, according to the company, ideal for in-and-out promotions in the springtime.
“Spring is an important selling season for apples, and as it nears, retailers need to make sure plans are in place to keep every aspect of the category healthy. Promote bulk, bags, and organic while available to keep apple sales moving upwards,” added Shales.
For more updates, check in periodically with AndNowUKnow.
BROOKS, OR - Though we may still be tiptoeing our way into 2017, it looks as though Mother Nature hasn’t finished with her winter hijinks. With heavy snows in the Northwest, transportation issues, and continued demand have made for a tight onion market.
Matt Curry, President of Curry & Co., recently told me that due to lowered supply throughout Idaho, the market has nearly doubled in a short amount of time.
“Most of us had a pretty good harvest this year, so the market initially started low. But now that supplies have been lessened, the market has rebounded,” Matt tells me. “As far as we heard, production for a lot of companies in the Northwest and Idaho was halted for awhile.”
The snow and ice made transportation of harvested onions slow as passes across Washington and Oregon closed, and also lessened the amount of product that could be packed. Matt says that, however, that as weather continues to lessen in severity, the market should normalize.
“Things should settle down over the next week as onions become available that weren’t before. The market was made from packing issues, not quality and condition, so we expect things to normalize,” Matt continues.
Matt says that his company will be shipping through the month of April, but is currently in an in-between period for crops. This has left Curry & Co.’s winter onions unaffected by the recent weather, in addition to allowing the company time to dry out before the spring onions are planted.
“Quality has been really good this far, even with the winter weather. Our onions have been bigger than normal this year, with great overall condition,” Matt finishes.
With the second half of the season right around the corner, AndNowUKnow will keep you up-to-date with updates no matter what the weather may bring.