Rising Fruit Prices Win Comment from Industry Leader Thomas Hoey

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 07, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- As the owner of Long Island Banana Corp., Thomas Hoey understands that even the slightest changes in natural environments can disrupt the supply and quality of produce. For instance, Hoey notes insects and weather as some of the leading reasons why fruit and vegetables either prove more available and affordable, or are limited and expensive. Illustrating the impact such factors make on the industry, Hoey points to a recent NBC News article that explains how many American farmers expect this summer's weather will impact the price and availability of many produce items in coming months.

NBC News explains, "...in Georgia, rainfall totals are 34 percent higher than normal, and in North and South Carolina they are up 25 percent, and Alabama is 22 percent above normal precipitation. And the outlook doesn't look any drier...The excessive rain in the Southeast means billions of dollars of damaged crops, according to some estimates. Add a drought in the West, and that could mean higher prices at the grocery store for staples such melons, tomatoes and cucumbers."

Thomas Hoey responds, "This epidemic of poor farming weather is not got for the industry as a whole, as it was not just one limited area of the country that suffered--it was many regions. As a result, upcoming produce is not likely to prove diverse or affordable."

NBC News shines more light on the widespread nature of this matter and states, "Although the farms of the Southeast have been hardest hit by the unusually wet summer, Vermont's corn crops are also soaked, and in upstate New York, saturated fields have crippled plows and other workhorses of the farm, endangering the pea crop as well as tomatoes and even hearty pumpkins."

Thomas Hoey notes, "Although bad weather will most likely impact the revenues of the farmers and their nearby communities the most, this kind of problem can have a negative effect on our entire economy. Even on the simplest level, many households may find themselves spending more this year to buy healthy, fresh produce."

While the western drought and wet summer months of the Southeast have resulted in a great deal of damaged crops, not every fruit and vegetable is in jeopardy. "While bananas have always remained one of the less expensive fruits, it is important to note that United States weather patterns will not likely have a major impact on banana prices. Since most American banana products are imported from Latin America, the Philippines or Thailand, these conditions do not necessarily apply," Thomas Hoey concludes.

ABOUT:

Thomas Hoey is a proven business professional whose history extends from a long line of successful fruit merchants. Hoey is currently the owner of Long Island Banana Corp., which specializes in importing bananas--as well as a full of line of other produce items--from Central and South America to the New York metropolitan area. This company is known for ripening its produce directly at the Long Island Banana Corp. facility, thus guaranteeing that each piece of fruit is delicious and perfect, ready for the consumer to enjoy.

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Banana Vending Machine Wins Attention of Australian Consumers, Thomas Hoey Comments on Concept

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 09, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Thomas Hoey has seen a lot of unique innovations during his time in the banana industry as the owner of Long Island Banana Corp., but, according to him, packaging and selling the fruit in vending machines is not a business practice he witnesses on a daily basis. For Australian citizens, however, the delivery method may become more commonplace, as one recent article from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation announces the first banana vending machine to be placed in Brisbane.

The article explains, "A north Queensland banana grower is claiming a first for Australia, installing a vending machine for his fruit in the centre of Brisbane. The bananas are grown and packed in plastic...and then transported to Brisbane to be stocked in the machine in a food court...Mackays Bananas spokesman Daniel Mackay says the machine keeps the fruit at 12 degrees and it is checked and restocked daily...Rather than drop to the access hatch, the bananas are carried by an elevator to avoid bruising."

Thomas Hoey reports, "This is a really interesting take on the banana. While many people are used to seeing the fruit regularly available, putting it in a vending machine puts added appeal to it. It makes people think about whether or not they would want to buy some." While the success of the vending machine remains to be seen, one report from The Age states that some consumers consider it a "cool idea," so long as the bananas prove fresh upon delivery. Given the popularity of similar vending machines in Asia, Hoey suggests that the Banana Bar in Australia may catch on fairly quickly.

Although he commends the ingenuity behind the concept, Thomas Hoey suggests that there are some cons to the vending machine approach. He explains, "Buying bananas--or any type of produce--is a unique consumer experience, where a lot of senses are involved. Consumers buying bananas from a vending machine do not have the option to closely observe and select their produce. There is also an additional element of waste in the plastic packaging that may be a concern for some shoppers."

Regardless of any criticism, ABC notes that the company plans to expand this venture into a larger operation. The article states, "Mr. Mackay is hoping to eventually put other tropical fruit in machines at universities, hospitals, schools and other public places."

"While a banana vending machine may just be a gimmick, there are positive values to the concept that must not go unnoticed. For one, it highlights the importance of nutrition whereas vending machines with soda, chips or candy promote opposite values. For those that do not have time to make it to a market during a lunch break, the vending machine also poses a convenient, yet health option," Thomas Hoey concludes.

ABOUT:

Thomas Hoey is a proven business professional whose history extends from a long line of successful fruit merchants. Hoey is currently the owner of Long Island Banana Corp., which specializes in importing bananas--as well as a full of line of other produce items--from Central and South America to the New York metropolitan area. This company is known for ripening its produce directly at the Long Island Banana Corp. facility, thus guaranteeing that each piece of fruit is delicious and perfect, ready for the consumer to enjoy.

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An Apple a Day Will Actually Keep the Doctor Away, According to Thomas Hoey

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 08, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Thomas Hoey, owner and manager of Long Island Banana, knows of the many health benefits that come with bananas and other fruits. But a majority of the population is still unaware of how much good produce can do for their bodies. Many ailments can be treated and prevented simply by ingesting more fruits and vegetables. That is why some cities are taking a stand and helping people gain access to these super foods.

A recent article in ABC News has unveiled New York City's newest plan to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. Lincoln Medical Center and Harlem Hospital have joined an organization called the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program. These two medical facilities, whose focus is on low-income families that cannot afford healthcare, will help the less fortunate eat healthier.

The hospitals will start providing families with "health bucks" as part of a prescription. These coupons will equal one dollar a day per member of the prescribed family. For example, each week, a family of four will have 28 dollars to spend at the local produce market.

Other cities, such as Boston, have shown major success utilizing the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program. Experts state that it encouraged families to eat healthier and to make more clinical appointments. Children especially were starting to introduce more healthy foods into their diets.

This program is part of a larger movement called Wholesome Wave, who has promoted healthier eating for the past several years. This organization reported that there was a 93 percent increase in health food consumption in 2012 alone. Approximately 38 percent of children participants had reduced their body mass index as well. Many other health benefits will come from this program including decreased risk of heart disease and cancer.

"Not enough people are eating healthy," states Thomas Hoey. "I think one of the main reasons for this is because they can't afford it. It's a shame that some fast food restaurants charge more for a salad than a hamburger. Businesses need to do their part in helping America get back on the right track. We need to encourage healthier eating and better nutrition. People need to buy and eat more fruit and vegetables!"

The United States Department of Agriculture has recommended that the average person should consume two and a half cups of vegetables and two cups of fruit per day. This should cost roughly two dollars at the local grocery market. Consumers are advised to buy their produce frozen, in season, and in bulk to get the best deals and freshest foods.

New York City will hopefully establish the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program soon. Thomas Hoey is just one of many people who are enthusiastic to see an increase in vegetable and fruit sales.

ABOUT:

Thomas Hoey is the owner of Long Island Banana in Linbrook, New York. His company employs many and distributes fresh bananas along the east coast of the United States. Hoey has served with the Agricultural Community in Washington D.C. and on the board of the Franklin Hospital. A strong believer in moral and good faith, Hoey is an avid philanthropist. He assists with many charitable organizations such as the House of Hope in Valley Stream, Little Sister's of the Poor, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He is also an active donor for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC and the Knights of Pythias Diabetes Research Association.

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Thomas Hoey Shows Enthusiasm for Revolutionary Banana Technology

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 06, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Long Island Banana owner, Thomas Hoey, loves to provide great service to his customers. That is why his family has spent the last 100 years delivering fresh, ripe bananas across the eastern coast of the United States. But there are always ways to improve a business. Innovations are made every day in different industries and the banana market is no exception. The country of Ecuador is about to introduce a new strategy to advertise bananas.

According to an article in Fox News Latino, Ecuador is teaming up with a United States marketing firm to develop a new method of advertising. The country's tourism bureau is spearheading this movement to entice more travelers. They are also capitalizing on the fact that Ecuador is the world's top exporter on bananas, distributing over 24 million tons of the fruit each day.

All outgoing bananas will now have a QR code placed on them. QR (quick-response) codes are a revolutionary technology that partners with smartphone capabilities. A customer can scan a QR code with their phone and it will link them to a webpage. The page is linked to the code when it is first generated. Various companies have been using this technique to promote sales. Soon, banana sellers will be able to take advantage of this as well.

Customers will have the opportunity to scan the QR code sticker on the banana peel. This will take them to a video that explores scenic locations around Ecuador, encouraging tourism. The country has business partnerships with major banana distributors such as Dole, Del Monte, Noboa, and Chiquita. They hope that they can reach a wide market with their new advertising idea. They also hope to create their own marketing brand that is focused on generating revenue in tourism.

The idea of creating a brand to promote tourism is a trend that has been followed by several other countries. Peru and Puerto Rico both tried to establish countrywide brands over the past few years. These countries plan to seize many opportunities from this strategy. They hope that an increased amount of tourists will help with global positioning and economic development. Besides encouraging the tourism, this QR code tactic will present an image to the world. People purchasing the bananas and viewing the videos will see the lifestyle behind their food's origin.

"It's amazing what technology is capable of nowadays," says Thomas Hoey. "Almost everyone uses a smartphone so Ecuador's new strategy will be really effective. When people bite into an imported banana, they're getting a taste of another country. Now, they can go even further and take a little sightseeing trip through their phone. It really is impressive."

Thomas Hoey is eager to see more technological advances that incorporate produce in the future.

ABOUT:

Thomas Hoey operates Long Island Banana, located in Linbrook, New York. The business has been owned by the Hoey family for roughly 100 years. Long Island Banana employs approximately 60 people and distributes ripe bananas across the United States' east coast. Thomas Hoey also has experience working on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee in Washington D.C. under George W. Bush. His contributions include working towards the inception of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Thomas's family generously donates to multiple organizations such as the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital and Knights of Pythias Diabetes Research Association.

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Diversity is a tough test for Thomas Jefferson High, the country's most selective school

My colleague Kevin Sieff reported last week that the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is not only the most selective school in the United States, but also one of the least diverse. After years of Jefferson promising to reach out to the third of Northern Virginia students who are black or Hispanic, fewer than 4 percent of the school's students are of those ethnicities, while ultra-selective colleges such as Harvard and MIT manage to have about 20 percent.

When you create a school based more on sorting than teaching, as Fairfax County did with Jefferson in 1985, it is hard to break the habit of picking applicants by their accomplishments and test scores at age 13, rather than their potential to benefit from Jefferson's great teachers.

But 4 percent is not good enough. There are more eligible black and Hispanic students who are capable of handling the Jefferson curriculum. Last year, the school says, 52 Hispanics and 29 blacks reached the semifinal round of admissions, based on their good academic records. But only 13 Hispanics and four blacks were enrolled. The ability to benefit from the school's imaginative teaching is not the main criteria for the admissions people, I suspect. Like the rest of us, they are impressed by test scores.

I have seen the Ivy League admissions process at close range. Applicants in the 95th percentile on standardized tests are not seriously considered because there are so many in the 99th percentile above them. Those colleges will, however, take a second look if you are a talented flautist or a ranked squash player or black or an alumni child or Hispanic or related to the family that just funded the new science center.

Jefferson teachers tell me their admission committee is more handicapped by the fact that many bright eighth-graders of all ethnicities don't want to attend their school or any like it. At many of most selective public schools, students of Asian ancestry are the largest ethnic group. This is true of Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech and Hunter College in New York City, and Lowell and Whitney in California, all of which draw from areas where Asians are a minority. At 46 percent, Asians also are the most common ethnicity at Jefferson.

There are two ways to explain this. First, most parents have little opportunity or interest in sending their children to selective high schools, public or private. We think our kids can get just as good an education in the neighborhood school. In many cases, we are right. Most Northern Virginia schools have teachers who are just as good as those at Jefferson.

Second, many Asian American families, particularly those more recently arrived, have a reverence for science, scholarship and school success not typical of this country. They remember prestigious selective secondary schools in China, Japan and Korea, and they tend to apply to schools such as Jefferson out of proportion to their numbers.

Their children get terrific educations, but they learn eventually that attending Jefferson does not guarantee admission to Princeton or Yale. Those colleges dole out admissions like Halloween candy: not too many to any one high school.

So broadening the ethnic profile of our nation's best high schools should not be that hard. Many educators and students supporting Jefferson have formed a Diversity and Engagement Curriculum Team to recruit more blacks and Hispanics and inspire an interest in science and math that will impress the admissions committee. The key to their effort is that success in the United States stems more from character than test-taking ability. Washington offices are full of brilliant people who lacked the patience, persistence and charm to rise as high as they hoped.

Sadly, we haven't figured out a sure way to teach character. The largest federal study of character-building or social-development programs recently reported little progress in improving student behavior or achievement. But we can tell which Jefferson applicants show signs of the determination and grace that produce great lives. Just ask their middle school teachers.

Many of the most promising ones will be black and Hispanic. Give more of them a chance, and Jefferson will not only be a more interesting school to attend but also more reflective of the values we want all of our kids to have.

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