Irradiation's new era

Posting here from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago......

As we listen to the overview of the U.S. apple crop this afternoon at the U.S. Apple Outlook and Marketing Conference, I noted that one of the members of the Fresh Produce Discussion Group posted the AP story about the FDA's decision about irradiation and produce safety. From the story, we find the the FDA's decision will be effective Friday.

This is big news, and it's an issue that the FDA has been working on for quite some time. Still, it is difficult to believe the commercial use of irradiation for spinach and lettuce will find instant demand. It may be a niche technology for sales to operators who cater to customers with compromised immune systems, perhaps. It will be interesting to see what industry reaction to this move by FDA will be.

Truck rate report - Aug. 19

As I get ready to board a Southwest Flight to Chicago for the U.S. Apple Association Outlook meeting, here is the summary from the USDA Truck Rate Report of Aug. 19. Rates are flat to softer in most regions:

A slight surplus of trucks was reported for the following commodities and regions: pears from Sacramento & San Joaquin Valley California, lettuce, mixed vegetables, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, apple pears, grapes, nectarines, melons, peaches, peppers, plums and apples, mixed vegetables and strawberries, onions from North and East Points Colorado, sweet potatoes from Louisiana and Mississippi and peaches from South Carolina. A surplus of trucks was reported for the following commodities and regions: citrus, avocados, mangoes, asparagus and mixed vegetables from Mexico Crossings Through Texas and watermelons from Texas. FIRST REPORT was issued for onions from North and East Points Colorado, potatoes from Twin Falls-Burley District & Western Idaho and Big Lake and Central Minnesota. LAST REPORT was issued for onions from Vidalia onions. All other districts reported an adequate supply of trucks.