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P r o d u c e S h o w D a i l y 2 7 S u n d a y, O c t o b e r 2 0 , 2 0 1 3 GREATER VISIBILITY FOR BETTER BUSINESS FROM BLUE BOOK SERVICES Blue Book Services, Inc. announces its Claims Activity Tables, offering mem- bers access to additional proprietary information and greater visibility into the company's database. This new feature is available to all members at www.pro- ducebluebook.com. The Claims Activity Tables allow members to view informa- tion about pending and historical claims filed against a given industry firm within the last two years. "As long as I can remember, mem- bers have called us as part of their due diligence process to inquire about the number, type, and dollar amounts of any claims filed with Blue Book against firms they are researching," explains Jim Carr, President of Blue Book Services. "Giving members the ability to access this information online just makes sense." Members will be able to view the date a claim was filed, the type of claimant (e.g., produce vendor or transportation firm), dollar amount, qualitative information describing the nature of the dispute, and the status of the claim. Doug Nelson, Blue Book's Vice President of Special Services, states, "Information on a single claim may not be particularly meaningful, but if credit managers can see a pattern of claims activity, that's where we think there's some real value to this information." In addition to claims filed through the Blue Book's Trading Assistance department, members will also be able to view federal civil cases, including cases filed under the trust provision of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). "If we're tracking a federal civil case, credit managers can now check our Claims Activity Tables for status updates," says Carr. "It's about giving members easy access to information." Claims filed with the PACA admin- istrative branch are not presently includ- ed in the tables. There is no charge for Blue Book members to view the Claims Activity Tables. Other exciting debuts at Fresh Summit include educa- tional training videos to help members navigate Blue Book's web site and online tools, and the "New Hire Academy," an online video program designed to help new hires learn industry funda- mentals. "Blue Book Services has many new and exciting innovations to share at this year's Fresh Summit," states Carr, who encourages attendees to visit Blue Book Services at booth 4738 to learn more and enter to win an iPad mini. For more information, visit during Fresh Summit at booth 4738. After the show, visit www.producebluebook.com, call 630 668-3500 or email to info@blue bookservices.com. STELLAR DISTRIBUTING LOOKS INTO THE EYE OF THE TIGER FIG By Brian Lapin, Salesman, Stellar Distributing Stellar Distributing has been a leader in the produce market in such com- modities as kiwi and limes for over 20 years. Figs, persimmons and pome- granates have also become major play- ers for the company and continue to grow every year. Stellar Distributing has focused on shipping great quality produce at a great price, with the end goal in mind of not having the consumer pay an arm and a leg for those products. Innovative pack styles and new creative boxes allow that to be possible, and also help to preserve the environment by cutting down the production of wasteful box styles and packs. Stellar Distributing has always wanted to be profitable, but not at the expense of the environment, and being creative in this way allows them to do both. This year, Stellar Distributing has come out with a new fig variety called the tiger fig. The tiger fig is brand new, and features yellow and green stripes which resemble the stripes of a tiger. The inside flesh is raspberry red and the fig itself is sweet- er than any of the other varieties. The tiger fig is the definition of great qual- ity produce, and Stellar Distributing is going to make sure it gets into the hands of the consumers as quickly as possible. Stellar is aware that without the consumer, their company is worthless, so they operate keeping that in mind. When all is said and done, Stellar Distributing will be ready and able to provide the best produce available on the commodi- ties they handle, because they care about what they do. With the fig season quickly approaching, it surely feels like this will be the year of the tiger at Stellar Distributing. Learn more at booth 5457 during Fresh Summit. Visit www.stellardistributing.com, call 559-664-8400, or email sales@ stellardistributing.com. EXTEND PRODUCE SHELF LIFE WITH PEAKFRESHUSA This year at PMA, PEAKfreshUSA is pleased to introduce new products designed to lengthen the shelf life of pro- duce. The company is debuting a vented box liner, bubble pads impregnated with minerals, and a sealed pallet cover. These new products will allow produce to trav- el long distances, with proper refrigera- tion the entire way. PEAKfreshUSA's new products are designed to provide longer shelf life without sacrificing value. The new box liner can be applied in the field or the packing house, and can withstand tem- perature variations while maintaining freshness. The PEAKfresh bubble pads extend shelf life while allowing delicate products to be shipped without bruising. Greg Ganzerla, President of PEAKfreshUSA, says that PEAKfresh is dedicated to creating benefits for its cus- tomers by lengthening shelf life. "When our customer's reputation is based on providing the best produce possible, we feel that they can't afford not to protect their goods during long shipping periods," Ganzerla says. "Using PEAKfresh allows them to pay a small price to ensure their product arrives in the same condition in which it left." The economic uncertainty of the past few years has affected the product and packaging industry, and PEAKfresh is ready to take on the challenge. "More retailers are requiring longer shelf life for the produce they purchase, and now more than ever it is imperative that suppliers deliver quality produce at competitive prices," says Ganzerla. "Using MAP products like PEAKfresh, and because of the lower costs compar- isons, it allows shippers to supply their customers with longer lasting product at a low cost and added value. It's a win-win for both." Located in the U.S., PEAKfresh sup- plies customers throughout Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. All of its products are certified for organic use, and each prod- uct ensures that produce maintains PEAK freshness, PEAK flavor and PEAK appearance from farm to table. For more information, visit booth 4220 at Fresh Summit. After the show, visit www.peakfreshusa.com, call 877-537- 3748 or email sales@peakfreshusa.com. INTERCRATE DESIGNS LONG-LASTING FRESHTOTE CONTAINER Salad harvest operations are a challeng- ing environment for handheld totes and bins. The machinery handles them fast and hard, and the forces and loads are high. This intensity lasts all year, and the result has been a relatively short life for earlier generation totes. Taylor Farms wanted a much tougher harvest tote, and began a collab- oration with InterCrate, a reusable plastic container producer, to get this right. This next generation tote is called the FreshTote, and it has made a big differ- ence. First, InterCrate made it tougher. It designed a sturdier corner section, and an entire double wall around the perimeter, meaning a more impact oriented copoly- mer material could be used. A lighter built tote has to choose between being rigid enough or using a high impact material. A tote that is more solid by design can be rigid enough with a more pliable impact material. Exposed external ribs were also entirely eliminated. Most tote damage is to exposed external ribs, as these catch on machinery and forklifts. A better geometry combined with a more impact oriented material has greatly reduced breakage. The FreshTote slides easily past machinery because the exterior pres- ents a smoother surface. Second, InterCrate improved trace- ability. Once it had a strong material with a more forgiving geometry, the final step was to incorporate a metal detecting additive. These three factors together ensure no stray pieces of plastic get into the finished product, a useful improve- ment in a quality program. InterCrate's FDA compli- ant, proven proprietary metal detection additive is also available with color choice. A tote that breaks doesn't just cost its replacement value. A broken tote impos- es risk and cost, and reducing breakage of totes is a good way to improve quality and reduce operational cost. Some grow- ers lease the containers for a fixed period of three years, and the month and year of manufacture are printed on the totes and withdrawn from the pool at that stage. Taylor Farms uses this best practice approach to have totes in good shape to minimize chance of plastic breakage. InterCrate also made other opera- tional improvements. Being smooth inside and out is better for the salad and workers. Sturdy, larger, composite bale arms are more comfortable to hold than metal swing bars, and they are more comfortable to hold against the body. The totes also nest closer, which means up to 20 percent more empties in the same space for stor- age and empty transport. The FreshTote costs more initially, but being used year-round easily pays for itself operationally, and with lower breakage. Some growers have reported reduced mechanical damage to the salad, improving quality and reducing shrink. Visit InterCrate at booth 963 during Fresh Summit. For more information, go online at www. intercratecontainer.com, call 800-931-8141 or email justin@ intercratecontainer.com.