Washington, DC — The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce released a report today outlining the Trump Administration’s plan to address the threat posed by increased foreign imports to American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables. The plan follows public hearings held in August where more than 60 witnesses …
Extend the Growing Season of Blueberries, Other Summer Fruits
By Mary Leigh Oliver AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – As blueberries and other summer fruits begin to grow out of season, gardeners may be looking for ways to extend the growing season. While there are many factors that affect the output of fruit crops, there are several things people can do to put their plants in the best situation possible for …
Additional Fruits, Vegetables Eligible for CFAP
Washington, D.C., July 9, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced an initial list of additional commodities that have been added to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) on Thursday, and that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made other adjustments to the program based on comments received from agricultural producers and organizations and review of market data. Producers …
Hot, Dry Weather Impacts Florida’s Tropical Fruits
By Clint Thompson Florida’s hot and dry weather this winter and spring has impacted its tropical fruits, according to Jonathan Crane, University of Florida tropical fruit crop specialist. From lychees to avocados and mangos, none were immune to high temperatures over the past few months. Lychee requires exposure to cooler temperatures. If they don’t get much of that, they don’t …
Be Careful How You Store Certain Fruits, Vegetables
By Clint Thompson University of Florida post-harvest plant physiologist Jeff Brecht cautions consumers about putting some fruit and vegetables in their refrigerators. Quality commodities like tomatoes, melons, avocados and peaches are chilling sensitive. Consumers need to be wary that too much cooling can affect the quality of certain produce. “I hear complaints about all of those where people say, ‘They’re …
Freezing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Extends Shelf Life
By Clint Thompson Not all freshly picked fruits and vegetables are meant to be eaten right away. Freezing them will extend their shelf life. If fresh produce is properly frozen, much of the flavor that consumers savor and nutritional value that is constantly promoted will be retained. Elizabeth Andress, a faculty member in the University of Georgia College of Family …
Fruits and Vegetables Next Stop on AFF’s Virtual Field Trip
By Clint Thompson Children quarantined at home because of the coronavirus pandemic have a unique opportunity to learn about fruits and vegetables via social media. Alabama farmers, including Allie Logan and sister Cassie Young, will teach about fruits and vegetables as part of an ongoing virtual field trip offered through the Alabama Farmers Federation Facebook page, on Friday, April 10. …
Science Could Lead to Longer-Lasting Fruits and Vegetables
By Jenelle Patterson We’d all like to slow the hands of time and stay young forever, and scientists have been trying for centuries to figure out what causes aging. Research into human aging has now identified some causes, but can this information be applied to horticultural crops? Here, we will explore how these two fields synergize and how combining them …
Biofortified Fruits and Vegetables Bring Benefits
By Jaya Joshi Every morning, more than half the American population takes a multivitamin in the belief that the pharmaceutical industry has boiled down the benefits of bananas, sweet potatoes, broccoli and tomatoes into a pill. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey program, 10 percent of Americans rely on five or more supplements of some kind for …
The Soccer of Fruits
By Breanna Kendrick Most people don’t know that some of the best mangos in the world come from Florida. Jeremy Smollar with Florida’s Finest Farm in Miami is trying to get the word out on what Florida mangos are all about. “I call it the soccer of fruit. Most people don’t know it’s the most loved fruit around the world, …