Two staffers move up at Brooks Tropicals

Excerpts from an article by Doug Ohlemeier published on 05/28/2010 01:01PM

Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals Inc. promoted Sam Skogstad from purchased fruit manager to director of sourcing and Sue Garcia from purchased fruit assistant to saleswoman.

The grower-shipper in early May promoted Sam Skogstad from purchased fruit manager to director of sourcing. Aside from growing Brooks’ import business, Skogstad will develop Brooks’ Belize papaya program.

The company is planning to significantly expand its McAllen, Texas, crossings of Belize papayas during the next couple of years, said Mary Ostlund, director of marketing.

Skogstad has worked for Brooks since 2001.

Sue Garcia, who was a purchased fruit assistant, is now a saleswoman. Garcia works with many customers, including West Coast and terminal market buyers. Garcia joined Brooks in 2007.

Brooks Tropicals kicks off 'SlimCado' avocado season

Produce News article by Christina DiMartino published 05/28/2010

Just in time for cool salads, salsas, dips and spreads that are popular in summer, Brooks Tropicals LLC's "SlimCado" avocados are again in season.

The company began harvesting early varieties of the Florida-grown avocados in late May, with commercial volumes scheduled to be moving in mid-June. Bill Brindle, vice president of sales for Brooks Tropicals, which is headquartered in Homestead, FL, said that Florida avocado varieties are alternate-bearing from year to year, but not all varieties are in sync.

“Volumes on some varieties are stronger than others every year,” Mr. Brindle told The Produce News. “Crops were healthy across the board in 2007 and 2008, and then 2009 was down due to a couple of factors. This year, we’re expecting the crop to be back up. Some environmental factors, however, could come into play.

On April 26, during our flowering period, there was a big windstorm here with gusts of over 50 miles per hour. We’re a little worried that the winds could have blown off some flowers and even small fruit.”

The windstorm Mr. Brindle referred to was part of the weather system that caused devastating tornados in Louisiana and Mississippi. Despite concerns, he said that the company is optimistic that it will be a good crop, and that a clearer assessment would be known by mid-June, just as commercial volumes start moving.

Promotional volumes will be on hand by mid-July. Supplies of “SlimCado” avocados typically run through mid-January, with lighter volumes continuing to move into the spring.

Brooks Tropicals has been on the forefront of finding a resolution to laurel wilt, a disease that is carried by the ambrosia beetle and affects avocado trees. The company was instrumental in organizing an industry group of Florida avocado packinghouses to obtain and coordinate funding initiatives to lessen the effect of laurel wilt on the south Florida industry.

Brooks Tropicals continues its work with the industry by providing resources and sharing the results of its own research with the entire industry and the University of Florida.

“Laurel wilt is a very real concern,” said Mr. Brindle. “An ambrosia beetle was found pretty close to the growing region in Florida earlier this year. We continue to work with these groups to ensure that research continues.”

Craig Wheeling, president of Brooks Tropicals, said that the 2010-11 season would have some new variety entrants into the Florida avocado lineup.

“Brooks Tropicals’ in-house research team has had a 'fruitful’ outcome with two experimental programs for late-season avocados,” said Mr. Wheeling. “We’re proud to announce two new patented varieties: the Wheeling and the Brooks- Later. Both varieties are harvested in April with the Brooks-Later being available into May.”

Mr. Brindle added that the new varieties “sailed beautifully” through the company’s taste tests.
“To have ‘SlimCados’ almost year round will be heartily welcomed by our customers,” added Mr. Brindle.

Florida avocados are grown commercially on about 6,500 acres, mainly in Miami- Dade County at the extreme southern end of the state. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Florida’s avocados normally account for 9 percent of total U.S. avocado production.
With half the fat and one-third fewer calories compared to the leading California avocado, “SlimCados” pack a lot of avocado into every health-conscious serving. “Retail sales continue to grow,” said Mr. Brindle. “The smart retailer knows that adding ‘SlimCados’ to their avocado aisle increases overall sales in the category from both nutritional and ethnic standpoints.”
Mr. Brindle said that health-conscious consumers like having an avocado alternative that has fewer calories and less fat — two nutritional benefits that build additional sales with this highly valued targeted market. Hispanics and Caribbean natives choose the “SlimCado” because it is most like the avocados found in their homelands.
“We’re excited about upcoming crop and look forward to nice promotions in July,” said Mr. Brindle.

Papaya, perfect for summertime

Excerpts from a Produce Retailing article by Susie Cable published on 5/3/10

There’s nothing like the taste of a sweet, juicy papaya to remind you of that island vacation you’ve been dreaming about.

Why not offer your customers a taste of a tropical paradise this summer by providing samples of fresh-cut papaya?

Papayas are a great summertime fruit, perfect for adding to fruit salads and packing along for picnics, says Mary Ostlund, director of marketing for grower-shipper Brooks Tropicals Inc., Homestead, Fla.

Bottoms out

Ostlund says papayas are best displayed stacked in no more than four layers with their bottoms facing out. When using wicker baskets, placing a paper towel under the papayas helps prevent bruising.

Ostlund recommends displaying papayas among other tropical fruits.

Though papayas are popular in other parts of the world, many consumers in the U.S. and Canada still are not familiar with them. To draw attention and to show customers how to eat a papaya, cut one in half, scoop out the seeds and wrap it in film with a slice of lime and a spoon.

Don’t limit papaya displays to the tropical section, Ostlund says. Papaya halves with limes are a good way to sell fruit that is becoming overripe. Papayas become sweeter as they ripen, so they can still taste great. Ostlund says cut papayas can be displayed with granola bars or crackers as an on-the-go lunch in the ready-to-eat section. Offering fresh-cut salads of papaya, cantaloupe and honeydew might help shoppers see them as a mainstream ingredient, she says.

Because papaya is becoming a popular salsa ingredient, Ostlund suggests building displays of papayas with other salsa ingredients, such as limes, coconuts, tomatoes, onions, cilantro or celery.

Handle with care

Store papayas between 42-58 F (5.6-14 C), Ostlund says. Papayas love humidity but are fine kept dry, she says. Ripen them at room temperature.

A ripe papaya will yield to gentle pressure, and its color will be mostly yellow. Papayas also become more fragrant as they ripen. When ripe, papayas should be refrigerated to increase shelf life to seven to 10 days, he says.

May is the time to think about summer papaya promotions, grower-shippers say. June, July and August are expected to bring promotable volumes of high-quality fruit.

Windstorm damages south Florida avocado crop

Excerpts from an article in The Packer by Doug Ohlemeier published on 05/03/2010

Growers say a late April windstorm may have damaged a portion of south Florida's early avocado crop. An April 26 storm brought high winds exceeding 50 mph and thunder and lightning that blew an undetermined amount of small fruit off trees, grower-shippers said.

Bill Brindle, vice president of sales management for Brooks Tropicals Inc., Homestead, Fla., said growers would likely have a better idea of possible by damage by the end of May, when light harvesting normally begins.He said it’s hard to estimate the percentage of damage caused to the pinhead-sized fruit but said growers are still expecting a good-sized crop.

“This was one of those storm systems that moves through in April,” he said in early May. “But this one was particularly strong. We are in the middle of our fruit set period and have lots of small fruit and flowers that are about to turn into fruit. Both those could be easily destroyed by winds of that magnitude.” Brindle said he expects the crop to be a little less than initially estimated.

The Florida Avocado Administrative Committee, Homestead, is forecasting a 1 million bushel crop, up from the 929,127-pound crop produced in 2009-10, which ended shipments in March.Though Florida growers typically start harvesting their large green-skinned avocados in late May, commercial volumes normally ramp up by mid-June with promotable volumes usually hitting in early July.

Replace oranges with papayas

Excerpts from a 4/28/10 article by Carla Spuri on activeyou.co.uk called Replace spinach with kale

For the best nutritional value, replacing oranges with papaya could make you healthier. Research recently published by Amway Global and supported by the Nutrilite Health Institute, showed that replacing regular staples for more unusual alternatives could boost the healthiness of diets.

The researchers said swapping to the unusual options would increase the phytonutrient intake in people's diets, helping to decrease the risk of conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

The study also suggests eating sweet potato instead of carrots and cooking kale instead of spinach.

Researchers explore health benefits of star fruit

Excerpts from a 4/28/10 article in the Nigerian Guardian News

Star fruit has been shown to be rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and low in sugar, sodium and acid. It is also a potent source of both primary and secondary polyphenolic antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that reverse the damage caused by free radicals or reactive oxygen species.

According to a study, "Pharmacognistic Evaluation and Physiochemical Analysis of Averrhoa carambola Fruit" published recently in the Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology, the ripe star fruit is considered as digestible, tonic strengthening, for bleeding piles and causing biliousness. The dried fruit is also used in fever; it is cooling and possesses antiscorbutic properties. It is considered as one of the best Indian cooling medicines.

The researchers wrote: "Preliminary phytochemical analysis indicated presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids. In last four decades the scientists are keen to evaluate many plant drugs used in medicinal folklore. It is due to their specific healing properties, healthy action and non-toxic effects.

"In this dimension pharmacognostic studies on Averrhoa carambola L. fruit is a substantial step and it further requires a long-term study to evaluate pharmacological action as well as therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of fruit to establish as the drug. The pharmacognostic study of the Averrhoa carambola L. fruit has been carried out for the first time. This could also serve in the identification and preparation of a monograph on the plant."

In India, the ripe fruit or its juice may be taken to counteract fever. A salve made of the fruit is employed to relieve eye afflictions. In Brazil, the star fruit is recommended as diuretic in kidney and bladder complaints.

In Chinese Materia Medica it is used to quench thirst, increase the salivary secretion, and in fever. In Ayurveda, the ripe fruit is considered as digestive, tonic and causes biliousness.

The dried star fruit is also used in fever; it is cooling and possesses antiscorbutic properties. It is considered as one of the best Indian cooling medicines. Fruits and its fruit juice are used as antioxidant and astringent.

Star fruit has also been shown to reduce blood sugar levels and a possible treatment for diabetes.
Researchers at the Department of Food Science, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan, Republic of China, investigated by some in vitro methods the hypoglycemic effects of several insoluble fiber-rich fractions (FRFs) including insoluble dietary fiber, alcohol-insoluble solid, and water-insoluble solid isolated from the pomace of Averrhoa carambola.

The study titled ""Insoluble fiber-rich fractions derived from Averrhoa carambola: hypoglycemic effects determined by in vitro methods" was published in the journal Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und-Technologie.

The study evidenced that these three insoluble FRFs could effectively adsorb glucose, retard glucose diffusion, postpone the release of glucose from starch, and inhibit the activity of amylase to different extents. All of these mechanisms might create a concerted function in lowering the rate of glucose absorption and as a result decrease the postprandial serum glucose concentration.

The researchers wrote: "Our results revealed that the hypoglycemic effects of these insoluble FRFs were significantly stronger than that of cellulose. Therefore, it was suggested that they could be incorporated as low-calorie bulk ingredients in high-fiber foods to reduce calorie level and help control blood glucose concentration."

Researchers have also analysed the potential topical anti-inflammatory activity of Averrhoa carambola in mice.

Preliminary results from the Brazilian researchers from the Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa, PR, support the popular use of A. carambola as an anti-inflammatory agent and open up new possibilities for its use in skin disorders.

Inflammatory skin disorders, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, are very common in the population; however, the treatments currently available are not well tolerated and are often ineffective.

The present study provides evidence that A. carambola leaves have a relevant topical anti-inflammatory effect in a model of cutaneous inflammation in mice. The study showed that the plant reduced edema and inhibited the cellular migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, an important step in the inflammatory process.

The researchers wrote: "Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) is an Asian tree that has been used in traditional folk medicine in the treatment of several skin disorders. The present study evaluates the topical anti-inflammatory effects of the crude ethanolic extract of A. carambola leaves, its hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions and two isolated flavonoids on skin inflammation. Anti-inflammatory activity was measured using a croton oil-induced ear edema model of inflammation in mice.

The researchers noted that the star fruit tree and is commonly used to treat headaches, vomiting, coughing and hangovers. They wrote: "Furthermore, it is used as an appetite stimulant, a diuretic, and as an anti-diarrheal and febrifugal agent. Star fruit has been used in the treatment of eczemas. In addition, the extract obtained through decocting the leaves of star fruit has been used in the treatment of diabetes.

"Phytochemistry studies have shown that the fruit of A. carambola is rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenolic compounds, which act against reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, the insoluble fibers of the star fruit slow the absorption of carbohydrates, significantly reducing blood glucose levels. The fiber can also act to prevent cardiovascular disease by reducing serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Lastly, selective activity against brain tumor cells was observed with an alcoholic extract from the stems of star fruit, while an extract from the leaves was effective against liver carcinoma cells."

However, researchers say a small per cent of the human population should be cautious of the fruit for health reasons. They say like the grapefruit, star fruit contains oxalic acid, which can be harmful to individuals suffering from kidney failure or under kidney dialysis treatment. Consumption by those with kidney failure can produce hiccups, vomiting, nausea, and mental confusion. Fatal outcomes have been documented in some patients.

Like the grapefruit, star fruit is considered to be a potent inhibitor of seven cytochrome P450 isoforms. These enzymes are significant in the first-pass elimination of many medicines, and thus, the consumption of star fruit or its juice in combination with certain medications can significantly increase their effective dosage within the body.

Tropical fruit category rebounds after recession

Excerpts from an article by Abraham Mahshie in The Packer published 4/26/10

Scaled back tropical fruit sections are starting to expand again, according to category experts who said they believe the country's climb out of recession will lift sales.

Supermarkets are using their tropicals section to differentiate themselves from competitors.

Mary Ostlund, marketing director for Brooks Tropicals, Homestead, Fla., credits the growth of the sector to American's incasing helath consciousness and culinary curiousity.

"The American palate has become extremely adventuresome, and the produce section has been a fantastic opportunity to capitalize on that," she said, noting the health benefits of tropicals like green-skin avocados and papayas.