Letter to Fresh Talk

Still in Chicago after a pretty full day at the show. Jan DeLyser of the California Avocado Commission gave a great speech tonight at the Women in Produce reception. I'll link to her audio when I can....

Here is a letter that came in this week about our coverage of mangoes and avocados....



I noticed your articles regarding the importation of mangoes and avocados. I live in south Florida and have been involved in the tropical fruit industry for over 20 years.
Agreeably, there should be minimum maturity requirements for mangos; however, this is a short-lived fruit after harvest which deteriorates quickly due to post harvest diseases. They are best purchased and consumed ASAP. Florida (Homestead, FL) has the widest variety of mangos in the United States. It is just a seasonal market, yet to subject it to imports during our harvest time period is detrimental to our own industry in Homestead, Pine Island, etc. Imports should only be allowed between October and May of each year, as customers want to have a choice in their varieties.
Possibly, we should irradiate our own mangos, as there is no evidence that this processing procedure is deleterious to humans. It only reduces the severity of post-harvest disease.
We do not appear to have a marketing group in Florida that addresses this issue, and with the growers I have known, a new solution should be in the making.

Avocados are one of the premier fruits of south Florida, having a plethora of varieties. Consumers are consistently exposed to the “Haas” variety, although the south Florida varieties have better taste when fresh, and are preferred at restaurants and the local markets.

I would propose that the tropical fruit industries in Pine Island and Homestead actively participate in the irradiation program, regardless of any public opinion. Our tropical fruit industries are suffering due to the influx of California and south American fruit.

Michael G Vathakos
Tropical Ag Co.
Ft Myers FL

Mike Johanns on tap

I am soon headed over to the United Show from the Hyatt here to catch Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns speak. Though Al Gore cancelled his appearance here, Mike Johanns is much more reliable. Johanns is expected to unveil some of the Administration's specifics relative to organic agriculture in the 2007 farm bill.