A few weeks ago during PMA’s Government Affairs Committee meeting, we heard representatives from FDA, Customs, and USDA discuss challenges related to fruits and vegetables entering the U.S. During the discussions, an APHIS official shared the following most common reasons for cargo being held, and how to minimize delays at ports of entry:

• Before sending product to the U.S., make sure the commodity is allowed entry here from the country of origin (an acceptable country/commodity combination). To do this, check with APHIS-PPQ personnel at the port.
• Ensure all required permits, phytosanitary certificates, and other documentation (such as the PPQ 203 – Preclearance form) is in order before attempting to import a commodity. If you have questions, check with APHIS-PPQ personnel.
• If you have an import permit, make certain you and your exporter meet the requirements stipulated on the permit.
• Make certain exporter uses best practices for reducing possible pest infestation when packing perishable commodities and loading containers.
• If pests/diseases are found, these will be identified by local PPQ personnel to determine quarantine significance. Quarantine-significant pests will require mitigation procedures (such as re-treatment of the shipment, re-exportation, or destruction). Non-quarantine pests may be released; however, the presence of these pests adds delays to the import process.

Another interesting aspect of his presentation was the distinction of port responsibilities between APHIS-PPQ and Homeland Security/Customs. APHIS-PPQ is responsible for inspection and clearance of propagative material (plants for planting) at Plant Inspection Stations; treatments (e.g. fumigation, cold treatments); pre-departure inspections in Hawaii and Puerto Rico; policies, regulations, import permits, phytosanitary certificates; smuggling interdiction and trade compliance program; preclearance of cargo overseas; and pest Identification and risk analysis.

DHS/Customs is responsible for regulated and non-regulated cargo (not for propagation) inspections; clearance of international travelers; international vessel and aircraft inspection; handling of animal products, by-products; issuance of fines and penalties at ports of entry; and safeguarding regulated transit cargo.

It was an interesting presentation and discussion of the various roles agencies play in getting produce shipments through various ports of entry. To learn more, visit our navigating regulatory agencies resource page.

Recently in the Education section of our Food Safety Resource Center, PMA has added an e-learning course on how to manage food safety non-compliance events. Narrated by PMA’s Chief Science and Technology Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker, the course includes his perspectives from his own industry experiences prior to joining PMA as well as feedback and questions he has received over the last several years. (Note: you will need to be logged in to the PMA website to access the resource center and view this course.)

A non-compliance event is defined as anything that might happen that does not meet the measures or standards put in place by an operation. Examples of these include temperatures out of specifications, employee hygiene, equipment sanitation failure, or a positive product test for a pathogen (which is the hypothetical non-compliance event used in this course).

The e-learning course also addresses issues in data confidence, how to manage and communicate the non-compliance event internally as well as externally to supply chain partners, whether or not to communicate these events to FDA, and more.

In addition to the resource center, we have a number of food safety resources available to our members – including the Ask Dr. Bob Whitaker audio blog, events such as our Food Safety for Local Growers training program, and the Food Safety Community on PMA Xchange.

We’ll be adding more e-learning courses to the PMA website in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates here on Field to Fork.

As I mentioned in a blog post last week, today at 2 p.m. ET the Produce Traceability Initiative is offering a free Webinar focused on best practices for repacking and commingling of fruits and vegetables. Next week on April 4, the PTI is offering another webinar – this one focused on best practices for produce brokers.

This session will focus on best practice recommendations to help develop and maintain efficient shipping, receiving and communication processes for buy and sell arrangements involving produce brokers. Multiple scenarios of shipments of orders to customers will be discussed. Speaking during this Webinar are Mike Meagher of CH Robinson and John Fulgieri of Andrew and Sons. Register for this webinar here.

In addition to this webinar, the PTI website has a number of resources available to the industry – including the entire on-demand suite of webinars from last fall that addressed traceability best practices for retailers, grower/packers, hybrid labeling, case labeling, and more. You can also learn more about the PTI pilot programs and case studies. For more details, visit the PTI website.

In February, USDA released its Agricultural Projections to 2021, peering into its crystal ball to see what the U.S. ag world will look like in 2021. The report offers a wealth of information about a wide variety of crops, but of most interest to us is the horticultural outlook. From that section of the report (starting about page 64), we find:

• U.S. per capita use of fruits and tree nuts is expected to increase from 269 pounds in 2011 to 274 pounds by 2021, an annual average growth rate of 0.2 percent.
• Per capita use of vegetables is anticipated to grow from 417 pounds in 2011 to 439 pounds in 2021, an average annual growth rate of 0.5 percent.
• The total supply of fruits, nuts, and vegetables over the next decade, both domestic and imported, is projected to grow at an average rate of 1.3 percent per year.
• By 2021, imports are projected to supply 45 percent of domestic fruit and nut use and 25 percent of vegetable use, in terms of farm weight. In 2011, these shares were 40 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
• In 2021, exports are projected to be the destination for 26% of U.S. fruit and nut production, up from 24 percent in 2011, while about 14 percent of vegetable production will be sold abroad, up marginally from 2011.

This is good news – anytime the trend line is going up, we’re happy. But those consumption (in USDA terms “use”) trend lines are not on a very steep incline. What should we be doing to increase the angle? Let’s hear your ideas in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

On Tuesday, March 27 from 2-3 p.m. ET, the Produce Traceability Initiative is offering a free Webinar “Implementing PTI: Best Practices for Repacking and Commingling.” During this session, participants will learn a series of best practices for meeting PTI requirements during repacking and commingling. The discussion will focus on what is expected from repackers in order to be compliant with PTI.

Speaking during this Webinar are Teri Miller, Delhaize America, LLC; Steve Roosdahl, The Oppenheimer Group; and Peter Hill, Alpine Fresh, Inc.

The PTI best practices for repacking note that the challenges for traceability in a repack operation are that “if traceability is not maintained during the repack process, the information from the original inputs used in the repack or commingling process will not be available, which puts vast quantities of a commodity, and/or the commodities used as original inputs, at risk in a recall.”

Registration for this webinar is now open. For more details and other traceability resources, visit the PTI website.

Yesterday I read about new research from Mintel which has found that, when it comes to fruits and vegetables, 52 percent of consumers said that it’s more important to buy local produce than organic options. In a press statement, Mintel noted that (according to its new product database), fruit products with a natural/organic claim have declined 58 percent between 2008 and 2011, while vegetable product launches with that claim have decreased by 77 percent during the same time period.

Mintel representatives added that “Natural and organic produce items aren’t completely passe, but local varieties are steadily gaining ground. Interestingly enough, senior citizens are even more likely to believe that buying local produce is more important than organic.”

Last year, our Identifying Consumer Trends in the Produce Category seems to support what Mintel has found; however, our research looked at organic produce as part of an overall quality distinction (which also included local and locality) by consumers. We found that 69 percent of consumers view the distinction of “local” produce as important - compared to 42 percent for locality (meaning produce grown in well-known production regions) and 29 percent for organic produce.

To learn more, visit the Consumer Trends Research Center of our website and join the discussion in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

Last week via Twitter, I read about a new study by Perception Research Services which found significantly more shoppers said they’d like to choose environmentally friendly packaging now compared to 2010 (36 percent versus 28 percent). Half said they are willing to pay more for this option, even in light of their economic situation, with this claim being more frequent among shoppers under the age of 40.

Interestingly, 59 percent of respondents said that seeing environmental claims on packaging positively impacts their behavior (to either buy more of the brands they usually do, or switch to others); however, 26 percent said there isn’t enough environmental information provided to them, while 20 percent said the multitude of environmental claims is confusing.

Of the various claims seen, the study found those having to do with recycling (recyclable, made from recycled material) are both noticed most and have the most impact on buying behavior. Conversely, the claim “made with less material” is less influential.

Last fall, to address members’ consumer research reeds, PMA published Consumer Attitudes Towards Packaged Fruits and Vegetables. I’ve mentioned this report several times here on Field to Fork, but wanted to mention something new related to this study.

On the PMA website, we have just added three executive summary videocasts highlighting the quality, convenience, and information contained in our packaging study. Combined, the three videos run just under 15 minutes.

Check out the packaging study page to view these videos and download a copy of the report. Also, we’d like to hear your thoughts on the videos and report in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

Also, if you’re using innovative packaging in your business, please consider entering the 2012 PMA Packaging Impact Award contest. The submission period will open May 1, with winners being announced at Fresh Summit 2012 in Anaheim, California.

Last month I shared some news regarding the series of meetings that had been scheduled by industry trade associations (including PMA) to develop cantaloupe-specific food safety guidance. To meet this goal, four regional meetings throughout the U.S. were scheduled. However, to engage a broader number of stakeholders across the supply chain, the meeting format has been changed to a weekly webinar series beginning April 2.

The introductory webinar will be held April 2 at 10 a.m. PDT. It will kick off the entire process and detail its scope, purpose, methodology, and how the webinar series will operate. All those interested in the process should attend this webinar. Each webinar will last one hour and focus on one topic area, allowing attendees to participate in discussions that align with their expertise. You can register online for this first session. During this first session, you’ll learn more about the rest of the webinar series. I’ll also share that information here on Field to Fork as it becomes available.

It’s expected that completion of a draft of cantaloupe food safety guidance will be available for review by leading industry, regulatory, and academic scientists on August 1. The guidance will address all operations within the supply chain and the diverse regions and processes in which netted melons are produced and handled.

If you’d like to know more about the webinars or if you have questions, please contact PMA’s Chief Science and Technology Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker via e-mail or call +1 (302) 738-7100 ext. 3094.

According to Mintel’s 2012 Dining Out Report, interest in where food comes from, as well as changes in restaurant spending will both be driving foodservice sales this year. Mintel estimates that the U.S. restaurant industry will be worth $416.4 billion in 2012, showing that operators really have listened to consumer wants and needs and made appropriate changes.

Interest in where food comes from and a desire for fresh, unprocessed food will lead more operators to focus on American regionalism. ‘Fresh’ is the top-rated menu descriptor that interests Mintel respondents (89 percent) followed by ‘made from scratch’ (71 percent) and ‘real’ (67 percent). In recent years, the term ‘artisan’ has garnered much attention, but seems to be falling out of favor as it is now the least favorite menu description with only 28 percent of people finding it of interest.

With an increase in nutrition awareness, Mintel also expects an increase in double-sided menus, that is menus providing something for everyone along the nutrition and economic continuums; however, with regard to nutrition labeling of menus, 41 percent of Mintel respondents who have eaten at a restaurant in the past month said they will make no changes in how they dine out, while 33 percent said they will order menu items that are healthier overall and have fewer calories.

Mintel’s findings about interest in where food comes from have interesting implications for our industry. PMA research conducted last fall found “local” is important when it comes to fresh fruits and vegetables, with half of consumers telling us they will make restaurant choices based on availability of local fresh fruits and vegetables. For more, check out Consumer Trends in Produce 2011 in the Consumer Research Center.

Also, speaking of restaurants, the PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo is the place where restaurant executives and industry leaders meet to connect, do business, and learn about trends. Our 2012 event will be July 20-22 in Monterey, California. Visit the conference website to learn more about exhibit and sponsor opportunities to reach key foodservice decisionmakers.

What do you think about the use of “fresh” menu items to drive sales and how can fruits and vegetables play a role in this? Let’s hear your thoughts in the Increasing Consumption Community on PMA Xchange.

From time to time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers industry educational Webinars that highlight various agency programs and services. In a couple of weeks, USDA has scheduled “Getting the Most from the Fruit and Vegetable Market News Retail Report” for Wednesday, March 28 from 2-3 p.m. Eastern time.

If you’re not familiar with USDA Market News, it is a Web-based resource that provides price and movement data for hundreds of agricultural commodities. It includes information for domestic and international wholesale markets, production areas, and ports of entry. Speaking during the Webinar is Audrina Lange, assistant to the director of AMS Fruit and Vegetable Market News. She will discuss how to access the Market News Portal, along with components of the Fruit and Vegetable report, including:

• Fresh produce prices at the retail level on a national and regional basis,
• Graphs and overviews of price and market activity data, and
• Analyses of fresh produce inclusion in weekly retail advertised specials at thousands of stores across the U.S.

Space is limited for this Webinar; you can register online here.

Here at PMA, I periodically use USDA Market News’ services to answer members’ questions and as a research resource. Members can also use our navigating regulatory agencies page to learn more about USDA, FDA, and Customs.