OJ May Fight Inflammation, Oxidative Stress

Ernie NeffOrange Juice, Research

A new study suggests 100% orange juice (OJ) has the potential to help fight inflammation and oxidative stress in adults, paving the way for further research on the topic. Though limited in scope, the study indicates drinking 100% OJ significantly reduces interleukin 6, a well-established marker of inflammation, in both healthy and high-risk adults. Two additional inflammatory and oxidative stress …

fresh

Panel Discusses OJ and Health Research

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

The Florida Citrus Commission’s (FCC) Scientific Research Advisory Council (SRAC) on Oct. 13 discussed recent studies and projects addressing the linkage between orange juice (OJ) and health. The FCC governs the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), which spends much effort promoting the health benefits of OJ. PUBLISHED STUDIESRosa Walsh, director of scientific research at the FDOC, shared three recently published …

Florida Citrus Commission Appointments Made

Ernie NeffFlorida Citrus Commission

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed three new members to the Florida Citrus Commission and reappointed four others on Oct. 8. The appointments of John Smoak and Daniel Sutton fill two vacant seats, and the appointment of Christopher Groom fills a seat held by a commissioner serving a previously expired term. Commissioners Carlos Martinez, Martin “Marty” McKenna, Steve Johnson and William “Bill” …

Immunity Still a Consumer Priority

Ernie NeffFlorida Department of Citrus

Consumers are continuing to seek out foods and beverages that provide immune support during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Jackie Hopkins with Edible told the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) at its Sept. 22 meeting. That search for immunity is a benefit to the orange juice (OJ) industry, since numerous reports indicate consumers link OJ to immunity. Edible is a marketing agency …

committee

Promoting Florida Gift Fruit

Tacy CalliesFlorida Department of Citrus

The Gift Fruit Shippers Advisory Council (GFSAC) met virtually on Sept. 29 to discuss results of the 2020–21 season and develop plans for the upcoming season. In 2020–21, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) programs focused on communicating availability, quality, tradition, nutrition and Florida origin with consumers through social media and website activations to encourage purchases from Florida gift fruit shippers. …

marketing program

Citrus Juice Sales Update

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

Retail sales of orange juice (OJ) trended at pre-2019 levels throughout the 2020-21 season. And for the latest four-week period ending Sept. 11, OJ trended at pre-2017 levels. Economist Marisa Zansler recently presented this information to the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC). Zansler is director of economic and market research for the Florida Department of Citrus, which the FCC governs. Fueled …

E-commerce Works, ‘Even in Wauchula’

Ernie NeffFlorida Department of Citrus

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson noted that as consumers continue to navigate life in a pandemic, growth of e-commerce shopping is expected to continue. “Even in Wauchula, Florida, Kroger delivery is taking hold,” Johnson wrote. Wauchula, with a population of about 5,000, is home to numerous citrus growers and grove workers. Johnson stated that the Florida Department of …

Florida citrus

NVDMC, CRDF History and Updates

Ernie NeffFlorida Citrus Commission

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) recently heard presentations about the history and current work of both the New Varieties Development and Management Corporation (NVDMC) and the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). NVDMCRosa Walsh, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) director of scientific research, said from 2003 to 2005, the FCC discussed the need for a program that would develop, license …

E-commerce and Social Media Lead Citrus Marketing

Ernie NeffMarketing

Two reports that a Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing executive presented recently show that social media and e-commerce have become major, effective tools for marketing citrus and other products. FDOC Director of Global Marketing Samantha Lane told the Florida Citrus Commission on Aug. 25 that the FDOC’s 2021-22 e-commerce campaign has so far driven more than $2.3 million in …

Behind Florida’s Production Decline

Ernie NeffProduction

In addition to recently projecting that Florida orange and red grapefruit production will likely decline for the foreseeable future, economist Tom Spreen provided some of the reasons. OLDER, LESS PRODUCTIVE TREESSpreen, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor emeritus, cited an older tree inventory and declining fruit per tree as contributors to projected yield declines. He said …

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Florida Production Faces Further Decline

Ernie NeffForecast, Production

Florida orange and red grapefruit production, already at historically low levels, will likely decline for years, according to a leading citrus economist. Tom Spreen, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor emeritus, calculated Florida crop output through the 2031-32 season based on various yield and tree replacement assumptions. Oranges and red grapefruit are Florida’s top-producing varieties.   …

OJ Consumption Aids Children’s Health

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

Moderate consumption of 100% orange juice (OJ) should be encouraged in children due to its multiple health benefits and lack of negative impacts on body weight, numerous studies indicate. The studies have revealed that children who regularly drink 100% orange juice have higher intakes of key nutrients, higher quality diets, and may have healthier lifestyle habits than children who do …

functional beverage

Research Planned on OJ Health Benefits

Ernie NeffOrange Juice, Research

Rosa Walsh, director of scientific research at the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), told the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) in June about the 2020-21 FDOC research plan. The plan includes two scientific research projects exploring health benefits of 100% orange juice (OJ). The projects, beginning in the new fiscal year, look at determining quantitative analysis of nutrient density in OJ …

Hesperidin and Good Health Linked

Ernie NeffFlorida Department of Citrus, Research

A new systematic review links hesperidin, a flavonoid found in oranges and 100% orange juice (OJ), to health benefits. However, more research is needed to further strengthen results.    The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC)-funded review examined published studies relating to hesperidin in 100% OJ and its impact on several chronic conditions and other measurements. Those measurements included blood levels …

marketing program

How OJ Sales Boomed in the Pandemic

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

The boom in OJ (orange juice) sales during the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted during Marisa Zansler’s report to the Florida Citrus Commission in May. Zansler is the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) director of economic and market research.   Prior to the pandemic, orange juice sales had decreased annually by an average of 5.5.% each year, Zansler reported. She noted …

Florida Citrus Funding of $32.6 Million

Ernie NeffLegislative

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2 approved all $32.6 million worth of citrus-related funding in the state budget, Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) Executive Vice President/CEO Mike Sparks reported. The budget had been set earlier by the state Legislature. Sparks detailed the citrus appropriations: Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), $3 million Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) program, $5 …

How to Build Consumer Trust

Ashley RobinsonMarketing

Consumer trust in the food and beverage industry has decreased drastically, despite surging at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer: Trust and the Food and Beverage Sector uncovers a 12-point decline in trust globally, the largest of any sector measured, following a major surge last spring. “People had high hopes and had real connections with …

functional beverage

Promoting Orange Juice for Hydration

Tacy CalliesOrange Juice

It may not officially be summer yet, but with temperatures heating up, Steve Johnson, chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, has a reminder about the value of drinking orange juice (OJ) for hydration. “A glass of orange juice is a great hydration option in addition to water since it naturally contains a high percentage of water — almost 90%, says …

Florida OJ: Getting the Message Right

Ernie NeffMarketing

Buying OJ (orange juice) isn’t a simple decision for the average busy American, Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson wrote in a recent message to members of the Florida citrus industry. He pointed out that there are dozens of choices in the beverage aisle, and hundreds of companies advertising. The answer to the question, “Why choose Florida OJ?” may be …

Measuring OJ Marketing Success

Ernie NeffFlorida Department of Citrus

For years, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) measured the success of its orange juice (OJ) marketing programs by comparing year-over-year data, Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson stated in a recent message to growers. The Citrus Commission is the governing board for the FDOC. “Then the (COVID-19) pandemic stopped everyone in their tracks,” Johnson stated. “Suddenly consumers were turning …