Easy way to tell if produce is genetically modified

If a fruit or vegetable IS genetically modified (GM), the number (not the barcode number) on the fruit or vegetable's label will have 5 digits and it will start with 8. 

Check our Caribbean Red Papaya label. It has a 4-digit number which means the produce is conventionally grown. A 5-digit number beginning with 9 would mean it’s organic.

How to spot laurel wilt disease

Excerpt from a 12/25/09 Miami Herald article by Niala Boodhoo.

Lighting, flooding, freezing temperatures and even other diseases can cause something that looks like laurel wilt on avocado trees -- so don't panic if your trees turn brown and begin wilting.But, if you notice a tree wilting and turning brown and the leaves are still hanging on the tree after a week, that's a good time to contact officials so they can come out and take a sample for testing.If you suspect laurel wilt, call the Department of Plant Industry at 888-397-1517.For more information, visit www.savetheguac.com.

Ideas for holiday giving

Here are some holiday gift ideas for the tropical at heart.*

Caribbean Red Papaya Apron
Stay clean while cooking with this medium length 35% cotton / 65% polyester blend twill apron. Three spacious utensil pockets to hold all you need. Machine washable. 24" L x 28" W. Made in the USA. Contact blogger to order.

"Honk if you love SlimCado Avocados" Bumper Sticker
Of course, a high quality bumper sticker. There's no minimum order! Durable 4mil thick vinyl, won't peel off. Water resistant inks won't run in the rain or fade in the sun. 11" x 3"

Brooks Tropicals Vintage T-shirt
The softest, smoothest, classic medium-weight T-shirt. 100% fine jersey cotton, combed for comfort. Flattering, stylish fit on virtually any body type. Made in the USA by American Apparel.

Papaya Bowl
Made from dried papaya, this parchment bowl is a stunning centerpiece and guaranteed conversation piece. Artisan Margaret Dorfman hand builds each fragile bowl out of parchment made from slices of papaya through a 12-day process that includes curing, pressing and aging each piece. Place a glass votive candle inside the bowl for a warm orange glow or fill it with fragrant potpourri. Featured in Bon Appetit magazine and on The Today Show.

Key Lime Pie Soap Weighing in at 8 ounces, this hefty slice of key lime pie pack all the sweetness of the real thing without the calories. Lather up with Key Lime Pie and take in the luscious lime scent. Handmade of vegan glycerin. Handmade in the USA.

Progressive Guacamole Masher

Designed specifically for mashing avocados! Easily make perfect guacamole every time with this incredible tool.

Ultimate Lime Wedger
Cut your lime wedges cleanly, all the way through! Simply position the lime over the base, center the handles and stainless steel blade over the top, and push down. Do not use for apples. Pieces interlock for compact storage. Cutting area is 3" in diameter.

Papaya tree ornament

Papaya Christmas tree ornament, yet another example of how papayas have been accepted in North America.

If you're in our Homestead office, you can view the ornament on our reception area tree.

Available online, this ornament was handmade in Poland.

Thanks to Nakita Brooks for finding this gem.

Papaya helps make your skin glow

Excerpt taken from an 12/3/09 article by Patricia called Glowing Skin Tips at yogawhiz.com.

Papaya is good for the skin. Mash a slice of papaya and apply it on your face for 15 to 20 minutes. Papaya contains the enzyme papain that accelerates skin renewal and cell turnover. It is used in skin lightening products because of its exfoliating and skin lightening properties.

Consuming fresh papaya is also beneficial for your skin as it contains vitamins A, E, and C, and other anti-oxidants which provide essential moisture and protection that your skin needs.

This year's RCMA child artist

This year's featured RCMA artist is Rocio Santiago, a 4th grader at RCMA's Wimauma Academy. Her favorite subject is math, and she loves to ride her bike. Rocio wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

Ms. Santiago drew a fetching wreath of papayas which will be featured in our company holiday cards and in trade publication advertising as shown below.

Every year the Redlands Christian Migrant Assocation (RCMA) raises money by selling Christmas cards that feature the artwork of the children they work with.

For the past five years, Brooks Tropicals has taken the fundraising one step further by taking the artwork for the company's holiday card and using it in our ads in The Packer and The Produce News.

We hope that by featuring RCMA artists like Ms. Santiago in our advertising, more people in the produce industry will be made aware of the good work that RCMA does in South Florida.

It's not too late to order your own RCMA holiday cards. Click here to see the brochure.