Office Fruit Blog

An interesting article appeared quite recently voicing concerns over the lack of resistance shown by certain domestic apple species against disease. No concrete reason could be given for this, but it was very interesting to note that the wild apple tree is still more resistant to disease than the majority of our current orchard stock.

So it was only logical that scientists decided to actively get involved in the protection of these wild apple trees.  Nestled between Russia, to the North, and China to the South, is Kazakhstan which has the largest untouched apple tree forests in the world. In these vast apple tree forests many different apple and pear varieties grow successfully and produce fruit that would make most supermarket apples look second rate.  These apple trees are very resistant to disease and have no pesticides sprayed on them nor are they tended to by any one. No genetically modified fruit here either just plain wild apples and various varieties to boot.

Why the move to protect these trees?  Well scientists are trying to find out where we have gone wrong. We have taken a perfect wild apple tree and tried to create a superior fruit tree, but unfortunately we have produced a tree that is struggling to fight disease effectively. I am though very optimistic by the move to protect and investigate the wild apple tree as it shows maturity in the apple industry which is very hard to find in the world today. To me Kazachstan will no longer just be a country somewhere in Asia but a country that has a jewel so precious that we dare not sit by and watch it being destroyed.

The cold 2008-09 winter has helped development of fruit trees, even in traditionally milder climates such as Spain and Italy.

Flowering across Europe kicked off slightly earlier than 2008, but a cold snap at the start of March reversed this advance. Relatively low temperatures at the end of April have led to a delay of around four to eight days in the season - which has really only kicked off now.

We are starting to find sweet peaches/nectarines and plums - which comes as a welcome relief to the less exciting winter mix.

Varieties of plums to look out for >> Sapphire, Black Diamond, Black Amber, Greengages, Fortune, Larry Anne, Laetitia, Santa Rosa and Red Beauty.

WARNING: do not buy Southern Hemisphere fruit. It is not in season and not tasty. If you come across any, it is because it has been stored in fridges for a very long time.

Have a Fruitful week!

Fruit Guru

The South African Citrus industry is in full swing and in the coming weeks Fruitful Office will be including South African Satsumas in our mix. This delicious easy peeler  has always been popular in the UK but is rapidly growing in popularity in Europe and the USA, so the demand is high!

After Spain, South Africa is ranked as the world’s second largest exporter of citrus.  If the citrus industry of South Africa is to be compared with the other fruit industries within the country it would definitely be the largest of them all.  UK importers have requested only the best fruit be exported to them and that is what we are giving to our customers, only the best of South African Satsumas!

Have a fruitful week!

Fruit Guru

It is amazing how when an issue is raised by the media how often we, the average Joes, view it as a marketing ploy. Most of the time we think the issue has been blown out of proportion and therefore pay little attention to it.  It is only when the issue that was raised is at one’s own doorstep that you really take notice. Sad, but very true! 

As fruit buyers, we at Fruitful Office have noticed the shortage of bananas experienced at London produce markets. This, however, has been an international shortage and not just a shortage in the UK. This shortage has impacted banana prices worldwide and has not been good news for banana buyers. All of this due to poor weather conditions in banana growing countries: excessive rain, high winds and massive tropical storms. The adverse weather conditions have one main contributor - global warming. This has forced me to more closely reconsider my own carbon foot print, embarrassed that I am only seriously doing this now when I am seeing the effects for myself.

Fruitful office has a proud record of being environmentally friendly and sensitive in all our activities. Despite this, the environmental crusade continues for the battle is still far from won. The more we are taking part in this crusade the sooner weather patterns will return to normal. Every individual has a responsibility and the time to act is now. Do not wait until the problem is at your doorstep, be proactive and check your carbon footprint today!

Have a Fruitful week!

Fruit Guru

Spring is here and to celebrate it we have introduced an apple variety from Poland! The apple industry in Poland is relatively unknown to the average Brit.

So I have decided to give you all a bit of information regarding the Polish apple industry, which is actually quite substantial:

• Poland produces around 2 million tons of apples per year.
• Poland was the second largest apple juice concentrate producer after Argentina in 1999, and still is a major producer today.
• Poland is one of the top five apple producing countries in the world!

Not bad for a country that only recently joined the European Union and battled for a long time to come to grips with capitalism. The Poles can surely hold their own in the apple industry! So hats off to them.

Have a Fruitful week!

Fruit Guru

Dear All,

With so much stress being created by the Credit Crunch and not much we the average citizen can do about it, it’s important for us to focus on the things that we can do to improve our day to day living. That is why the 5-a-day campaign was launched!

 The 5-a-day campaign is an international campaign launched to encourage consumers to eat 5 different types of fruit or vegetables per day. It truly is something that does benefit all who commit to it.

This campaign was launched to help people live healthier and more productive lives. It therefore assists our society in placing less stress on people and resources, and that is something we all need to do during these trying times.

A recent data report, however, has indicated that as UK consumers we have failed yet again to achieve this target. 

At Fruitful Office we view this campaign as very important and support it by including 5 or more varieties of fruit in our Baskets and Plentiful Boxes. Not only does it offer our customers value for money but also encourages people to try and achieve their quota for the day.

So we are doing our bit. Are you?

Have a fruitful week!

Fruit Guru

My answer to Jan Banham’s blog question: “What is your carbon footprint when you import from South Africa?”.

The Cape fruit season explained.

Our office fruit basket and office fruit box services largely provide a northern hemisphere seasonal mix. However, given that in the winter months (November to March) there is a considerable limitation in fruit variety (only apples, pears and clementines are available from the northern hemisphere), we do break the monotony with some fruit from the Cape season from January to March.  If we didn’t do this, the fruit mix would be the same for 4 months.
 
The key fruits we like to buy from the Cape are:
• Peaches, nectarines and plums:  Jan-Mar
• Table grapes: Jan-Feb

Please note that NONE of the fruit we buy from the Cape is air-freighted. Instead, it is brought to the UK by sea-freight (the most fuel-efficient transportation method). This means that fruit grown in the natural heat of the Cape actually has less global warming potential than out-of-season British or European fruit grown in artificial, energy-intensive greenhouses.

Fruitful Office is very committed to its environmental policy, which includes planting a fruit tree in Africa for every basket or box we sell. To date, we have planted over 40,000 fruit trees under our Planting Fruit Trees in Africa campaign.

Have a fruitful weekend!

Fruit Guru

Dear All,

As we eat our recommended daily portions of office fruit, it is important to know that the fruit forming process could not be successful if it were not for the little hard working Honey Bee.

In commercial orchards beehives are placed in the orchard when most trees are in bloom as to enhance pollination and assist in fruit set. It is interesting to note that not all fruit bearing trees have the same distinct requirements regarding pollination and Honey Bees are the most important natural carriers of pollen.

One Honey Bee can visit 5,000 flowers a day! Now that is productivity! It is also interesting to know that in our high tech world we can still rely on mother nature to provide us with this little miracle worker.

So today as you tuck into that apple, peach or plum say thanks to the Honey Bee!

Regards All and have a Fruitful day!

Fruit Guru

Dear All,

Happy New Year!

The quality of South African fruit is considered by many the best in the world!

 Ironically, the local market quality is great but the rest of the world (including us in the UK) gets the best. The key fruits we like to buy from South Africa (none air-freighted of course and all easy to eat in the office) are:

• Peaches and nectarines: best availability from January to March
• Plums: January to April
• Table grapes: December to February (although this season was off to a slow-start)

So the season has just got going - but I look forward to finding more availability and better quality as the season progresses. So look out for some welcome variety in the office fruit baskets and boxes!

Have a fruitful week!

Fruit Guru