The Idaho Potato Commission in Eagle, ID, will mark its 75th anniversary in January 2012. A year-long celebration throughout the 2011-12 marketing season is under way, and if the season goes as well as it appears it might, the highlight of the celebration, the theme of which is "Big," could well be a record $1 billion in farm-gate revenues for the industry. That is not only big, it is huge.

It has been years since Florida citrus growers have had fruit as large as this season’s. As a bonus, Florida oranges, grapefruits and tangerines are exceptionally sweet and more cosmetically appealing than normal, and the overall crop size is larger as well.

WEATHER

Daytime highs in Yuma, AZ, were expected to fall from the upper 70s Nov. 30 to 60 degrees by Dec. 4. Daytime highs should nudge into the mid-60s by Dec. 6. High winds were expected Dec. 1-2 with gusts near 40 mph.  There was a 10-30 percent chance of isolated rain showers Dec. 1-3.

In Oxnard, CA, daytime temperatures were expected to range in the upper 60s to low 70s through Dec. 6, with overnight lows in the mid- to upper 40s. High winds were expected Dec. 1-2 with gusts upwards of 45 mph.  Rain was not in the near-term forecast.

Pure Hot House Foods Inc. is excited to announce the acquisition of a new distribution centre and packinghouse in San Antonio, TX. The new facility has been operational since the start of the Mexican and Central American growing season this fall and will help with shipping and packing from the firm’s Mexican grower-partners.

Both Ecuadorian and Peruvian mango production is a bit light this year. But by sourcing from both countries, Freska Produce International LLC in Oxnard, CA, is able to fill its customers’ needs.

“The Ataulfos from Ecuador are winding down,” said Gary Clevenger, co-owner of the company. “Volume will be spotty until they are finished near the end of December. But we are bringing in a lot of Tommy Atkins from Ecuador, and we are starting up in Peru [the week of Dec. 5]. That first load from Peru should arrive by December 19.”