Oktoberfest

October: the start of Fall, and for the refrigerated produce industry in North America, the time when produce starts transitioning to ship out new areas. UWC closely follows these transitioning trends, as it allows us to plan for lanes and anticipate truck demand. So, let’s look at 4 full truckload products and how they are transitioning.

Avocadoes: The season in California has concluded. Mexico inventories have been noted as lower due to heavy rains halting the harvest at the end of last week. Weather in this region has improved, and harvest should increase by the end of this week. In particular, movement from crossings through Texas are expected to increase.

Cucumbers: In the Baja, light production has continued throughout this week; many growers have moved through the flush of new field crop. Some early production has started out of mainland Mexico, with crossings through Nogales expected to increase seasonally, and crossings from Otay Mesa, CA expected to decrease slightly. Light shipments have also begun out of the Central and South Florida districts, with sufficient volume expected by the end of October.

Bell Peppers: The California Central Valley and Oxnard district crops are beginning seasonal decline, with overall volumes set to drop. Green bell peppers will begin out of the California Desert/Coachella Valley lightly starting next week. No real volume is expected until mid-November. The supplies of colored bells remains good, but are starting their seasonal decline. Mexico crossings through Arizona are expected to arrive the week of Oct 24th, with reportable volumes expected by mid-November.

Tomatoes: Growers and shippers in the San Joaquin Valley, California are in their last couple of weeks of harvest. Most product is still coming out of this area, along with the California Coast, and some Mexico Crossings through Otay Mesa, California. Demand is set to shift to the East by the end of October, with light harvesting set to start at that time in West and Central Florida.

Stay tuned for more news/transition updates!! Have any insight to share? What is the best way you plan for these transitions??

References:

The Packer – Crops and Markets. http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/crops-markets. Accessed on Oct. 19, 2011.

Pro-Act; The Source Market Report. http://web1.digitalmotionsolutions.com/proactusa.com/PDF/The%20Source.pdf. Accessed on Oct. 19, 2011.

Calling All Drivers!!!

How Your Camera Phone Can Help You

These days, it is standard for most cellular phones to be equipped with a camera. This is definitely one of the most critical tools available for a driver. Below, we outline some key ways that a camera phone can be used to protect a driver, and reduce the occurrence of claims and additional charges.

• Photos of trailer condition inside, prior to pickup – take a photo of the inside of your trailer prior to product being loaded at a shipper; this provides evidence of the condition of the trailer. Be reminded that as per UWC’s Carrier Loading Guidelines, the following should be observed: floor grooves and drains clear of obstacles, clean and odor free to ensure proper air flow out of the refrigeration unit, around the load, and back to the unit. The best way to prove that this is the case is to take a photo!

• Photos of trailer once product has been loaded – whenever possible, take a photo of trailer with the back doors open once the product has been loaded. This will confirm the condition of the product prior to transit. This can greatly protect a driver if there are leaning pallets, crushed boxes, broken pallets, and any other product-related issues that may affect a clean BOL upon delivery. Any issues should be communicated to UWC immediately with photos sent as verification. UWC will then forward these photos to all interested parties, and advise on any actions required. It is recommended that a photo is taken at each pickup.

• In-Transit – Use your camera phone to document any accidents or required repairs while in transit.

• Photos at delivery – a camera phone is a useful tool upon delivery; it can be used to document and verify and actual product/cargo damages and any trailer damages that may occur at receiver’s warehouses.

• Tomato Loads – A color report is MANDATORY for all tomato loads hauled under UWC. Drivers will be required to provide daily color reports. A minimum of 3 boxes of all sizes must be reported on.

Need help on how to use your camera phone while on the road?? Call us and we can help find the best way for you to get photos to UWC!

Spotlight on..... Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most widely consumed produce items in North America. Our blog entry this week pays homage to this, and is all about the tomato, from less known facts, market info, and handling tips.

Did you know?

The tomato is also known as the love apple, and one pound of its seed can produce up to 140,000 plants. One of the most debated questions regarding the tomato is if it is a fruit or vegetable. Botanically, the tomato is a fruit of the vine. But many people think of it as a vegetable. In 1893, the United States Supreme Court ruled that for the purposed of levying a tariff, the tomato would be regarded as a vegetable.

A hothouse tomato only has 21 calories, is very high vitamin C and potassium, is a source of folacin and Vitamin A, and is fat free!

The Market

According to The Packer website, tomatoes tied with potatoes as the No. 1 most purchased vegetable in 2009. That's a jump from fourth spot in 2008. Leading the pack variety wise is the traditional round beefsteak, a popular choice for salads, recipes, and side dishes.

Florida is the United States largest producer of fresh tomatoes, with a season ranging from October to June, and with their season winding down, Florida is hoping for a better start to their season than what was seen in 2010.

Hothouse tomatoes are grown year round and offer complete climate control, maximum light conditions, and reduce pest and weather pressures. Notable greenhouse locations in North America include various areas in California (Oxnard, for example) and British Columbia (Delta, for example).

Handling Tips

Field tomatoes come out of the fields and go into "gas rooms" for ripening purposes. This is a critical process in the ripening stage and will determine how tomatoes are to be handled in transit.

Most customers will request colour and stage updates for each day of transit. Below are the colour and stage categories most commonly used:

• Green - Stage 1 - The tomato surface is completely green. The shade of green may vary from light to dark.
• Breakers - Stage 2 - There is a definite break of colour from green to tannish-yellow, pink, or red on 10% or less of the tomato surface
• Turning - Stage 3 - Tannish-yellow, pink, or red colour shows on over 10% but no more than 30% of the surface of the tomato.
• Pink - Stage 4 - Pink or red colour shows on over 30% but not more than 60% of the tomato surface.
• Light Red - Stage 5 - Pinkish-red or red colour shows on over 60% but not more than 90% of the tomato surface
• Red - Stage 6 - Red colour shows on over 90% of the tomato surface.

Load temperatures will be based on the initial colour report that must be provided at time of loading. All temperatures must be set to continuous. As tomatoes ripen while in transit, customer will often adjust temperature settings while product is in transit to achieve the desired ripeness upon delivery.

Proper handling of tomatoes during loading and while in transit will greatly assist in providing optimal product condition upon delivery.

Anything to add? Tell us what you think!! The tomato question endures, do you think of a tomato as a fruit or vegetable?