🌱 Driverless Trucks Are Coming

🌱 Good afternoon, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter! 

In today's email:

• Alico Closes Century-Long Citrus Chapter in Florida

• Three Tech Leaders Join Forces to Launch Driverless Trucks at Scale

• Trivia: What is the Largest Tree-Borne Fruit in the World?

• Fresh Picks: Our Handpicked Produce Content from the Web

• USDA Appoints Advisory Council to Boost Climate Solutions

• Sumo Citrus: A Seasonal Delight Worth the Wait

• Tip of the Day: Use Local Weather Patterns to Recommend Seasonal Produce

CITRUS

Alico Closes Century-Long Citrus Chapter in Florida

Alico, once a leading citrus producer in Florida, will exit the citrus industry after its 2025 harvest due to financial challenges caused by declining production.

Over the past decade, output has dropped 73%, attributed to hurricanes and citrus greening disease (huanglongbing), which has severely impacted trees statewide.

Despite investments in land, trees, and treatments, Alico could not reverse the trend.

The company will pivot to diversified farming and real estate ventures on its 53,371 acres across Florida.

It plans to manage 3,460 acres of citrus land under a third-party agreement through 2026 for a gradual transition.

Additionally, some land will be developed for commercial and residential purposes to align with investor goals and maintain profitability.

Alico’s leadership emphasizes the decision’s difficulty, prioritizing a sustainable business model that benefits shareholders and Florida communities while preserving its agricultural legacy.

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LOGISTICS

Three Tech Leaders Join Forces to Launch Driverless Trucks at Scale

Aurora, Continental, and NVIDIA have partnered to scale driverless trucking, targeting mass production by 2027.

Central to this effort is the NVIDIA DRIVE Thor system-on-chip (SoC), which will power Aurora’s Level 4 autonomous driving system.

Continental will manufacture the hardware at scale, ensuring reliability through redundant systems.

Aurora plans to launch its driverless trucking service in Texas in April 2025, with NVIDIA’s advanced computing enabling critical tasks like perception and decision-making.

The Aurora Driver integrates lidar, radar, and cameras to navigate highways, supported by verifiable AI for adaptability and safety.

Continental will deliver cost-efficient, scalable hardware for truck OEMs, while NVIDIA’s DRIVE Thor, based on its Blackwell architecture, accelerates key operations.

The partnership highlights industry-leading collaboration, aiming to transform long-haul transportation by reducing costs and improving safety.

Aurora’s upcoming demonstration at CES 2025 will showcase early prototypes, offering a glimpse of the technology poised to redefine trucking logistics.

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TRIVIA

The _____ is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, known for its impressive size and unique texture.

Some specimens of the _____ can weigh over 100 pounds.

🍄 Driving Innovations in Mushroom Farming and Sustainability | Mushroom growers are combining innovative technology, data-driven “future-proof” facilities, and sustainable practices, such as vertical farming and composting, to boost efficiency, meet eco-conscious consumer demand, and cement the industry’s longstanding reputation for environmentally responsible production. (ThePacker.com | Jan 10, 2025)

🚢 Union, Employers Credit Trump in US Port Deal that May Shape Future Talks | A new labor agreement, credited in part to Trump’s anti-automation stance, averted major East and Gulf Coast port disruptions and may shape future union negotiations, though critics remain skeptical of his broader pro-labor support. (Reuters.com | Jan 10, 2025)

🍊 Global Market Overview Oranges | Despite production challenges in some regions and varied supplies worldwide, global demand for oranges in 2025 remains robust, driven by colder weather in Europe, improved growing conditions in areas like South Africa, balanced volumes from Egypt, and steady North American availability, all contributing to generally strong prices. (FreshPlaza.com | Jan 10, 2025)

🍏 Pazazz Apples are Making a Difference Through Purpose-Driven Marketing | Pazazz apples, in partnership with hockey star Taylor Heise, are donating 600 pounds of apples to Second Harvest Heartland for every “assist” she makes this season, while also promoting the health benefits of fiber-rich apples through collaborations with retailers, social media campaigns, and ongoing support for the American Institute for Cancer Research. (TheProduceNews.com | Jan 09, 2025)

🍓 What’s Being Done to Address Major Disease Threat in Strawberries | A new partnership among Ohalo Genetics Inc., UF/IFAS, Florida Foundation Seed Producers, and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association is developing neopestalotiopsis-resistant strawberry varieties, reducing reliance on fungicides, lowering costs, and boosting sustainability for Florida growers. (GrowingProduce.com | Jan 08, 2025)

USDA

USDA Appoints Advisory Council to Boost Climate Solutions in Agriculture

On January 7, 2025, the USDA appointed 36 members to the Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council, part of its Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third Party Verifier Program.

This council will support farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially underserved groups, in accessing voluntary carbon markets that reward greenhouse gas mitigation efforts.

The council will guide updates to protocols for generating environmental credits, streamline participation, and ensure equity and scientific rigor in these markets.

It will also advise on qualifications for technical assistance providers, helping landowners adopt sustainable practices.

By addressing logistical and financial barriers, the council aims to increase transparency and reduce costs for smaller, resource-constrained operators.

Members from diverse fields, climate science, agronomy, forestry, and policy, will foster robust guidelines to promote climate-smart agriculture.

The council will provide periodic reviews, aiding adaptation to advances in science and market conditions, while encouraging widespread adoption of environmentally responsible practices.

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Sumo Citrus: A Seasonal Delight Worth the Wait

Sumo Citrus, a hybrid mandarin celebrated for its unique qualities, has carved out a distinct niche in the produce world.

With its large size, sweet taste, and iconic top knot, this citrus fruit traces its origins to Japan in the 1970s. A visionary grower, aiming to create the ultimate citrus experience, combining the best traits of Satsuma, orange, and mandarin varieties.

The result was the dekopon, known in the United States as Sumo Citrus.

This fruit has captivated fans worldwide with its unparalleled flavor and convenience.

Seedlings of the dekopon arrived in the United States in 1998, where growers in California’s Central Valley undertook the challenge of cultivating this delicate variety.

Sumo Citrus has expanded to retailers across the U.S., fostering a dedicated community of fans and gaining celebrity endorsements.

In 2018, its reach extended to southern Australia, expanding the beloved fruit's availability each year.

Sumo Citrus is grown in select regions with ideal conditions.

In California’s San Joaquin Valley and Australia’s Riverland, Sunraysia, and Riverina regions, the combination of hot, dry summers, cool winter nights, and ample water supply provides the perfect environment for cultivating this citrus variety.

Renowned for its remarkable sweetness, Sumo Citrus also features an effortless peel and a seedless interior that set it apart from other citrus varieties.

To guarantee a consistently delightful taste, each piece is measured with a Brix meter for optimal sugar content. Its distinctive, bumpy rind can be removed with ease, often in one quick twist, making it an ideal snack anytime.

Harvested by hand to prevent bruising, the fruit is carefully packed and transported in small totes and cushioned trailers.

Sumo Citrus has established itself as more than just a fruit; it’s an experience.

Its short but highly anticipated season, from January to April, has become a cultural event.

Marketing initiatives such as the "Fifth Season," a celebration of the fruit’s arrival, highlight the joy and exclusivity associated with Sumo Citrus.

Campaigns like the Peel Away to Japan Sweepstakes and the Tastemonial Tour further engage fans, fostering a sense of community and excitement around the brand.

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TIP OF THE DAY

Use Local Weather Patterns to Recommend Seasonal Produce

Tie your marketing to the weather by launching a "Farm Fresh Forecast" campaign.

Suggest produce items and recipes that match the local forecast, creating a timely and personalized shopping experience.

Here are a few example:

• On sunny days: Highlight refreshing options like watermelons, cucumbers, and leafy greens, with recipes for summer salads or fruit-infused waters.

• On rainy days: Promote hearty root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and squash, with recipes for soups and stews.

• During chilly weeks: Suggest citrus fruits rich in vitamin C to boost immunity or warming options like ginger and turmeric.

Share these recommendations via in-store posters, and social media posts with catchy lines.

This strategy makes your marketing feel personalized and timely, giving customers practical reasons to buy specific produce.

It also positions your brand as thoughtful and in tune with their daily lives.

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