An Interview with Brian Dey Senior Merchandiser & Natural Stores Coordinator, Four Seasons Produce, Inc. While it’s true that Cinco De Mayo is less a real holiday in Mexico and more a symbolic celebratory event for Americans, there is a significant rich history behind the day and how it has come to honor the Mexican…
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Less juice in the current squeeze — a timely reminder about fruit and finance In my many years working for global farmers—with the twofold aim of generating real income to build sustainable systems of selling and pleasing consumers with flavor-filled offerings—I’ve heard a lot about the value of the dollar. As a global traveler, I’ve…
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Beyond the buzzwords, only certified organic delivers the guarantee of health It’s Mango Wellness month and today we want to talk about fluff and more importantly that organic consumers aren’t fooled by it. Data shows that organic consumers tend to be more educated about the supply chain, they ask more questions, dig deeper, and demand…
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La Rama Mexicana de USDA Ahora Cae Bajo la Jurisdicción de la Embajada de EE.UU (This is an update from Thursdays breaking news.) La sucursal de USDA en México que maneja las certificaciones APHIS – como el tratamiento hidrotérmico requerido para los mangos – ha recibido un cambio estructural significativo. Ahora, de repente, operando bajo…
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Mexican USDA inspector branch now falls under U.S. Embassy oversight (This is an update from Thursdays breaking news.) The USDA branch in Mexico, which manages APHIS certifications like the hot water treatment required for mangoes, has recently undergone a significant structural shift. Now, suddenly, operating under the authority of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, the…
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We “dodged” tariffs, but not cuts…. There’s always breaking news in produce—it’s just part of the gig. But lately, the whiplash feels extra brutal. One minute we’re dodging tariffs (pun 100% intended), the next we’re taking hits in unexpected places—like this weeks news of USDA inspector staffing cuts. Produce people are wired for high-stakes hustle.…
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Health is more than just a mango…. As part of April’s Mango Wellness Month celebration, I created three new recipes that reflect the campaign’s holistic roots—where nourishment isn’t about isolated nutrients, but about the power of diverse, organic food working together. Each recipe is designed to showcase mangoes as one part of a vibrant,…
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Holistic nutrition and well-being is rooted in healthy organic food systems People often ask why I don’t place more emphasis on mango nutrition, especially after years of advocating for mangoes. The truth is much of what gets labeled as “nutritional fact” is shaped by marketing and the pressure to sell something. That’s never sat well…
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Recipes for Iftar, infused with the sweetness of Egypt A few years ago, I took a sweet and unforgettable journey through Egypt—riding camels beneath the shadow of the great pyramids, sailing the Nile on a traditional dahabiya, and wandering through ancient temples etched with hieroglyphics and whispers of the past. I explored the rich history…
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Organic Mango Crop Report: markets, mayhem and hopefully some resistance This crop report follows the same theme as the last—confusion. But it also serves as a reminder of how quickly confusion spirals into mayhem and short-sighted, conventional-style thinking. That knee-jerk reaction is the most common response in this debacle we call the current state of…
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