Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/264043
P r o d u c e S h o w D a i l y T h u r s d a y, M a y 1 6 , 2 0 1 3 6 The most important lesson for any importer is to understand and be involved in every aspect of the import process. The importer should understand the move- ment of the product from the field to the packing house, and up to the final load- ing of the product in a container, crate, truck, airplane, or ship in order to avoid pest problems. Each of these items must be evaluated to make sure that the impor- tation process runs smoothly. Here are some suggestions from USDA/PPQ at the Los Indios, Texas Plant Inspection Station: Avoid loading products at night due to the flood lights attracting insects such as hitch hikers. This item is the one of the top reasons for most pest contamination issues. If possible, load product in an enclosed warehouse or a cold storage facility, and run the product through a selection table to screen for contaminants (i.e. seeds, grasses, and other plant mate- rial). Make sure the container that you are placing your product in has been cleaned before the product is loaded. Here'a question to consider: What is the most effective way to clean the con- tainer (broom versus vacuum cleaner)? Note: Using a broom will cause cross contamination by transporting organic debris and insects that cling to the bris- tles, allowing them to be moved from one container to the next. Consider what type of floor is pres- ent in the container (i.e. wood, metal, or metal with grates). Wooden floors have small separations, which can harbor inva- sive pests such as Khapra beetles, federal noxious weeds, etc. Metal with grates allow organic debris and insects to accu- mulate and if not cleaned properly will cause pest contamination issues. Consider the type of packing materi- al being used. Do not use egg boxes, meat boxes, old boxes, or used bags to ship products due to the possibility of product contamination by insects, weed seeds, and animal diseases not found in the U.S.A. In addition, do not use straw, leaves, cotton, or any other raw agricul- tural product in the packing process. Are the boxes/crates being used completely enclosed or do they have openings that would allow pests to enter? If boxes/crates have openings, avoid placing them on grassy areas before load- ing. When possible, avoid loading comingled agriculture produce in the same container. When an actionable flying insect is found on one of the commodities, action will be taken on the entire shipment, and the entire shipment will be refused. The team at Phillip Garcia would be more than pleased to discuss in greater detail what steps your company can take to minimize negative impacts on your imports. Remember: an educated importer is a successful importer. Use a border consolidated service provider who can seamlessly move your goods from the Mexican side to the U.S. side, clear your shipment through U.S. Customs, cross dock or cold store your shipment, and deliver to market. To learn more about Phillip Garcia U.S. Customs Broker, please visit www.phillip- garcia.com or call 956-843-7050. PHILLIP GARCIA: TIPS TO AVOID PEST CONTAMINATION ON IMPORTED COMMODITIES NNZ, Inc. is introducing its new Snack Fresh Package at the 2013 United Fresh Expo in San Diego, Calif. The Snack Fresh package has been chosen as one of the finalists for the United Fresh New Product Awards, in the best new packag- ing category. Snack Fresh is a grab-and-go, high- graphic, earth-friendly and merchandis- able package, for fresh-picked berries, grape tomatoes, or grapes that comes in portion controlled sizes. It is extremely consumer friendly (especially for kids) and takes up considerably less retail shelf space, cooler space and distribution channel space than traditional clamshell packaging. One of the big advantages is that it is packed in display ready transport boxes. Helmut Leili is the inventor and Founder of Cardinal Fresh, i.e. Snack Fresh. Helmut was looking to make a package that would increase consump- tion of small fresh fruits and vegetables( normally sold in clamshells) that was also made from sustainable materials, economical, easy to eat on the run, and that could be used to help consumers make better health choices for snacks, especially for kids. Market studies show that most con- sumers will make good choices, if they don't have to purchase large quantities of produce, when they only want a single serving portion of something healthy. Snack Fresh gives them that choice, while at the same time offering a com- plete size range opportunity. One of the goals of Snack Fresh was the idea of "farm to fork." The package is made of paper- board and the plastic window film can be made of PLA or other similar compostable films. Therefore, the product is produced from 100 percent sustainable and renewable sources. Growers/marketers that have full sustainability programs can now add sustainability through the supply chain. A shelf life independent study was done last year and the results showed considerably less weight loss for blueberries and grape tomatoes which yielded a longer shelf life over clamshells. Because of the height-to-footprint ratio, combined with the stackable retail display ready transport box, the Snack Fresh package offers a unique economy of scale allowing for significantly more units to be transported per pallet, thus lowering shipping costs. The extended shelf life also plays into a more efficient supply chain by allowing the product to go longer distances and allowing grow- er/packers to reach customers further away. The package footprint is also specif- ically designed to deliver twice as much product per foot of retail shelf space as conventional clamshells. Plus, the retail display ready shipping component allows retail more flexibility of in-store sales locations and cross marketing. Many companies also love that their branding can have a continuous flow throughout their product line, including their fresh produce products. NNZ Inc. will be exhibiting Snack Fresh at the United Fresh Expo in booth 1409. For more information, go online to www.nnz.com and call 800-634-7666. NNZ'S SNACK FRESH PACKAGE MAKES BEING HEALTHY CONVENIENT For more than 20 years, Mooney Farms has been producing Bella Sun Luci, the "premium brand" of sun-dried tomato products. Family-owned and operated, Mooney Farms is located in Chico, Calif. Mooney Farms has invested in its company's technology and packaging capabilities so all of its orders are packed fresh. This allows for the longest shelf life in the industry. The company does not rely on a co-packer, and every bag and jar of sun dried tomatoes are produced at Mooney Farms under the strictest guide- lines. Mooney Farms' state-of-the-art, kosher and Silikker audited facility sup- plies sun-dried tomatoes to more than 20 countries. With retail, foodservice, private label, and industrial divisions, Mooney Farms is the largest packer and shipper of sun-dried tomatoes in the U.S. Mooney Farms believes the most interesting food trend has been the re-dis- covery of the Mediterranean diet. The MOONEY FARMS: A PIONEER IN SUN-DRIED TOMATOES "Med Mark" enables the consumer to identify foods that are part of a healthy Mediterranean lifestyle. Mooney Farms' products bear the Med Mark and represent one of these core foods. Sun-dried toma- toes are also rich in lycopene, a proven antioxidant. Another key issue Mooney Farms has addressed in the past year is, "Are your products gluten free?" Mooney Farms has added gluten free to all of its retail labels for those who follow a gluten-free diet and are looking for products that fit their lifestyle. The Mooney Farms family pioneered the sun-dried tomato industry more than 20 years ago and continues to create new items which fit today's trend of healthy eating. Customers are part of Mooney Farms' success, and the company focuses on their ever changing needs. There is only one original California sun-dried tomato brand, and that is Bella Sun Luci, always fresh, always premium and the Mooney Farms family guarantees it. Mooney Farms recognizes great brands don't just happen, they are built on many years of hard work and consumer education. The company website educates consumers about the Mediterranean diet and offers many delicious recipe ideas. Visit Mooney Farms at www.mooney- farms.com to learn more. Global packaging solutions specialist tna announces the launch of the world's first vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) rotary polyethylene packaging system. The latest innovation for the company's leading tna robag® range, the tna robag FXIS 3ci, offers efficiencies of up to 99 percent of target output while reaching unrivalled speeds of 150 bpm. tna's core principles of perform- TNA LAUNCHES FIRST EVER PE PACKAGING MACHINE ance, simplicity and flexibility are at the heart of the design of this unique PE packaging system. The tna robag FXIS 3ci series breaks new ground in effi- cient, reliable sealing and bagging using polyethylene. High performance is guar- anteed by the unique rotary jaws which deliver unrivalled speeds of up to 150 bpm with consistent quality. The inno- vative rotary jaw design uses advanced impulse sealing technology to deliver high-quality, consistent packaging, with high levels of accuracy. At the same time, enhanced productivity is achieved through rapid former changes using the company's pioneering new Auto Connect and Unload Assist features. The tna robag FXIS 3ci builds on Continued on Page 19