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Big E Produce in Lompoc, which grows red and green leaf lettuce , romaine lettuce, cauliflower and broccolini , among other crops, is feeling a ripple effect from last year s multistate E. coli outbreaks and subsequent recalls. The company began receiving requests from customers for guarantees that its lettuces and products were safe, said Jose Gonzalez, who handles sales for the company. Customers also demanded that the produce be tested by laboratories against contamination.... Read More

Mexico s fruit and vegetable production starts to peak in the winter months, with a long list of items headed to U.S. and Canadian markets. “We re coming up on our busiest time of the year,” said Dante Galeazzi, president of the Mission-based Texas International Produce Association. “Starting late January and going, really, through September, are the heaviest crossing volumes for fresh produce coming into Texas. Avocados, limes, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, cabbage, watermelons,... Read More

This years reason to hike the prices...... Although some media are reporting of a possible shortage of avocados — and therefore guacamole — for Super Bowl festivities because of a fuel shortage in Mexico, importers say there s no indication supplies are being affected. But they are monitoring the situation leading up to the Feb. 3 game, for good reason. The Super Bowl is the, well, the Super Bowl of avocado holidays/events, rivaling Cinco de... Read More

The proportion of fed cattle carcasses grading USDA Prime was up by one-third in 2018, bringing the annual share of Prime to 7.95%, over 2017 s average of 6%. That surge narrowed the spreads between the year s Prime cutout value, USDA s “branded” beef category and commodity Choice. Those differences stayed wide through July, with a Prime-Choice spread averaging $14.50/cwt., but from August forward, supply overcame demand at times with the gap narrowing to... Read More

Thank you STEVE KEATING CME, CSE for a great article! Some of you will find this post lacking. You ll find it off the mark because you believe that management and leadership are one in the same. You are convinced they are two words that describe the identical characteristics and skills. Before I write this next sentence I should remind you that I was a long time member of the Dale Carnegie organization. I believe... Read More

U.S. producer prices rose in November on advances in foods and transportation services, while a measure of underlying costs accelerated, offering some potential signs of inflation pressures bubbling up in the economy. The producer-price index advanced 0.1 percent from October, cooling from a rise that was the fastest in six years, Labor Department data showed Tuesday. The annual gain slowed to 2.5 percent from 2.9 percent. The Bloomberg survey median estimates called for no change... Read More

Consumers are spending food dollars at foodservice at unprecedented rates, and the potato industry recognizes the opportunity, marketers say. “Foodservice continues to grow in importance to the potato category,” said Kim Breshears, marketing programs director with Denver-based Potatoes USA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that, as of 2016, consumers now spend more of their food dollar at foodservice than retail, Breshears said. “As such, the foodservice sector is very important to the potato industry,”... Read More