Divine Ripe

Mexican Tomatoes: No Room for Waste

admin — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:31:20 +0000

Mexican tomato prices may be on the rise. This comes on the heels of a price hike earlier this year when the U.S.-Mexico reached a new tomato trade agreement. Now rain is putting tomato supply from Mexico in jeopardy, leading to an expected increase in prices.

To offset the skyrocketing price of these tomatoes and decrease the amount thrown away due to spoilage, produce companies are now investing in cold storage facilities as a means of preserving their produce without exposing them to detrimental conditions. Produce ripens faster in hotter temperatures. Placing them in cold storage slows the process and keeps the fruit for longer. The advantages of cold storage extend beyond just tomatoes. All produce benefits from cold storage, thus preserving the fruit and vegetables and a company’s profit margin.

Contact Us

If you are looking to store your produce in an efficient, state-of-the-art cold storage unit, contact Divine Ripe at (956) 631-0101. We provide our clients with 54,000 square feet of cold storage units, and will gladly answer any question you may have about preserving your produce.

“Franken” Foods and You

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:45:54 +0000

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have become a popular sticking point in the news. Many people are worried these “franken” organisms are dangerous, not only to their health, but also to the plants being modified.

GMOs are plants that are genetically engineered with different DNA to develop certain traits and immunities. Usually this means that a plant is resistant to herbicides and insecticides. It also makes it more resilient to some natural conditions such as drought and pests. This is a departure from the traditional method of cross pollinating two plants and allowing them to develop traits naturally.

While there isn’t any scientific evidence to suggest GMOs are harmful to your health, there is controversy over GMOs and their use. There is also an argument that genetically modified plants and foods haven’t been in our diets long enough for us to see any noticeable side effects…yet. The most common GMOs are corn, soybean, and rapeseed. These foods are often difficult to avoid in an everyday meals. Tomatoes haven’t been modified since a failed attempt in 1994. There are no genetically modified tomatoes on the market today.

A recent movement has emerged in the United States to have GMOs be clearly labeled on its packaging. Vermont is currently on its way to becoming the first state in the United States to have a bill pass through its state’s house and senate that would require all GMOs to be labeled. California had a similar law fail to pass last year. GMOs are required to be labeled in 64 countries, including China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. The future of GMOs and the part they play on your dinner plate are still unclear, but the growing opposition isn’t going away. So what will you be eating for dinner tonight?

Contact Us

For more information about genetically modified organisms and if our company uses them in our produce, contact Divine Ripe Tomatoes at (956) 631-0101.

Hydroponics vs. Soil

admin — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:05:37 +0000

Hydroponics is the act of growing plants in nutrient solutions instead of growing plants in soil. All the nutrients needed to sustain plants are in the soil, activated by water. In hydroponics, all the nutrients the plants need are added to the water in the form of soluble fertilizers.

Advantages of soil are that the fertilizer is cheap and is easy to find. If excessive nutrients are added to plants grown in soil, the soil can more readily absorb them. Disadvantages include having to compete with weeds which can steal nutrients. Plants also grow slower in soil.

In hydroponics, there is ordinarily no competition with weeds, insects or other pests. The plants don’t waste energy growing extensive root systems, so plants mature faster. The disadvantages of using a hydroponic system are that it is a bit more expensive to set up. The grower has to go to a specialty shop to buy fertilizers, and hydroponics requires more research, attention and care.

There are subtle differences between the tomatoes grown in soil. The hydroponic tomato is generally hand-picked and is sometimes riper and better tasting than the tomato picked a little green so it wouldn’t get damaged in shipping.

Contact Us

Choosing hydroponic or soil grown tomatoes really comes down to personal preference. If you would like more information on hydroponics, contact Divine Ripe at (956) 217-0053.

Negotiations May Lead to Increase in Tomato Floor Price

admin — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:35:53 +0000

The US Department of Commerce is considering a negotiation with Mexican tomato growers that could lead to a 17-25% increase in the floor price of tomatoes in the United States. The varying price increase will depend on the type of tomato. The negotiation stems from an export agreement to Mexico. November 1st has been set as the deadline for both parties to present a case brief, with November 11th being the day signaling the end of the commenting period.

Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of America, states that the outcome of the negotiation, which will most likely occur as early as November 12th, will not affect the price American consumers pay for their tomatoes at their grocery stores.

Contact Us

If you would like to know more about the distribution of tomatoes, contact Divine Ripe at (956) 217-0053.

Could Tomatoes Lower Your Risk of a Stroke?

admin — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:39:39 +0000

A 12-year long study conducted by Finnish researchers discovered that men aged 46-65 with high levels of lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, had a significantly lower risk of suffering a stroke. The results were compared to those of men with lower levels of lycopene. Lycopene is not only found in tomatoes, but in watermelons, papaya and jalapenos. However, tomatoes contain the highest level of the antioxidant of all produce.

Over the 12-year period, the results concluded that out of all the men in the high lycopene group, 11 suffered strokes. In the group with men with low levels of lycopene, 25 suffered strokes. Despite the results, the researchers did not take into account the mens’ overall diets excluding lycopene-rich products, suggesting that other factors may have played a role in the low-stroke group’s results. The researchers affirm that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables undoubtedly plays a role in a healthier lifestyle.

Contact Us

For more information about the health benefits of our Grade-A tomatoes, contact the best tomato distributor, Divine Ripe, at (956) 217-0053.

Good Tomatoes For American Consumers

admin — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:14:15 +0000

Tomatoes may seem like an easy fruit for transport, but great care is taken in ensuring they arrive at their location sans damage, bruises, or bacteria. Constructing perfectly designed shipping, storage, and delivery routes for the transport of tomatoes all over the United States is quite complex but necessary. High quality tomatoes provide satisfaction for consumers.

Statements by American consumers claiming they haven’t had a good tomato to eat since the 70s have been made. Their reasons for bad tomatoes nowadays include bad growing conditions, bad handling, or being picked too soon. These consumers are not receiving tomatoes from a company that takes care in how tomatoes are grown, handled, and distributed.

Contact Us

Not all distribution companies take responsibility in caring for their tomatoes. The Rio Grande Valley tomato distribution company does. We strive on maintaining high quality standards.

Give our team of Divine Ripe a call at (956) 217-0053 for more information on our specialty tomatoes.

Tomato Time

admin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:42:28 +0000

Whether you pronounce it Tuh-MAY-toh or Tuh-MAH-to, tomatoes are one of the most sought out fruits today. Once considered deadly, tomatoes were planted for ornamental purposes, but not to be eaten. Italy was the first country to cultivate tomatoes outside South America. Texas weather gives an opportunity to produce some of the freshest tomatoes. Although the Texas Department of Agriculture categorizes tomatoes as garden vegetables, they are the most popular produce grown in the state.

Regardless of how they are classified, Divine Ripe Tomato Distributers offers fresh produce from the farm to the store. Call 956-631-0101 if you have questions about how to get Divine Ripe tomatoes to your store.

Growing Conditions Can Damage Tomatoes

admin — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:04:52 +0000

Tomatoes may not be difficult to grow, but they do not always grow to perfection. Every year warm weather climates put tomato crops at risk for damage.

With rotational planting, tomatoes grow with less susceptibility to ailment caused by imperfect conditions. Planting them away from other fruits and vegetables helps create a better growing environment for tomatoes.

Divine Ripe grows tomatoes to perfection in conditions that allow for optimum growth. Learn more about our produce from our team by calling Divine Ripe, the Valley’s top tomato distributors at 956.631.0101.

Suggested Growing Conditions

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 15:02:46 +0000

Growing tomatoes in the South Texas heat isn’t always easy, but at Divine Ripe tomato distributors in the Rio Grande Valley, we’re experts on the subject.

It is recommended to prepare the area where you are going to plant tomatoes and till the soil and rid the section of litter. Using natural fertilizers is very important because it is safe for consumers.

Temperatures can affect the integrity of tomatoes, so keeping them in a neutral climate is key.

Learn more about tomato growing from the expert tomato distributors at Divine Ripe in Hidalgo. Contact our team at 956-631-0101 for more information.

USDA Plans to Increase Produce Tracking Along Border

admin — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:35:32 +0000

The USDA has reported plans to track produce along 10 crossing on the border of Texas and Mexico.

This will result in safer procedures for collection of produce, including tomatoes and will help American produce companies more effectively record numbers in pricing and products.

Greenhouse tomatoes are among the more popular produce for shipping.

Contact Divine Ripe, the Rio Grande Valley’s number one tomato distributors, for more information about produce shipping. Call our offices at (956) 217-0053.