There is a direct relationship between fry colors and glucose levels in fresh potatoes. As glucose levels elevate darker fry colors result. Glucose levels are directly affected by storage temperatures, handling, fertility of soils during the growing season, and any other circumstance that threatens the viability of a potato. Potatoes convert starches to glucose as a safety devise for self-preservation and due to physiological changes in their natural life process. There are specific times of the year, January, February, and March, in this physiological timetable when potatoes naturally convert starches to sugars. Kingston does all in its power to closely monitor and ship potatoes with acceptable glucose levels to achieve the fry color requirements of Kingston customers and distributors but in spite of our best efforts we can not always fool mother nature and potatoes into believing they are dormant. If elevated sugar levels occur, experience has shown that storage conditions of 50-60 degrees will typically reduce sugar levels over time. This time of the year all of us need to be even more diligent in monitoring potato glucose levels to achieve our common fry color objectives.

Dave Patterson

Now that the holiday season is behind us, carrier availability should improve in the latter part of January. It will be interesting for all of us to see how the new hours-of-service rule will impact everyone as shippers, receivers, and as consumers.

The new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's hours-of-service rules will be effective January 4th. The new regulations increase the time that drivers must set aside to rest in each 24-hour period to 10 hours from 8 hours. The total time a driver can be on duty will fall to 14 hours from the previous 15. This time will include work hours spent waiting at loading docks and fueling rigs. The government estimates the new rules could cost trucking companies about $1.3 billion a year. Please account for two extra days transit times for delivery of product. Shippers and receivers can help this challenging situation by loading and unloading our carriers as quickly as possible.

The Union Pacific's fuel surcharge will remain at 2.5% for January. The fuel surcharge will apply until the U.S. Average price of DOE On-Highway Diesel Fuel falls below $1.349. For more details, please see Union Pacific's website at: http://www.uprr.com/customers/fuel_surcharge.shtml

We are geared up and ready to roll in the upcoming brand New Year! We look forward in this New Year to continuing to serve your transportation needs.

For information please contact Chris Taylor at chris@kingstoncorp.com.

Robert Dodge joined the Kinston family in 1982. He is a Quality Assurance Inspector. Bob inspects potatoes for quality and monitors sugar levels. He travels to various growing regions to ensure Kingston's quality standards are met. He has a wealth of experience with over 40 years in the produce industry, starting in 1963 as a laborer and farm foreman. He then managed a potato farm in Hamer, Idaho and then became a potato warehouse foreman.

Bob was raised in Idaho and lives in Ririe with LaRue, his wife of 24 years. He has a daughter, Paula and two stepsons, Eric and Brad. Bob and LaRue have six grandchildren, two girls, Cheryl and McKayla, and four boys, Braiden, Trevor, Austin and Justin.

Each month Kingston employees nominate one of their own to receive the "Employee of the Month" award. The distinguished employee receives a reserved indoor parking space (a must in the winter!), Outback gift certificate (for employee and mate), Kingston logo apparel, a plaque, a press release and entry into the employee of the year award.

Cindi was nominated as November's employee of the month! This recognition is well deserved. Cindi is Kingston's field and quality assurance representative.

Among Cindi's many exceptional attributes, her peers cited her outstanding interpersonal skills especially in managing the Company's potato crop transition this year as well as her leadership qualities in managing the Company's quality assurance and product safety programs.

Cindi and her husband, Mike, live in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Cindi joined the Kingston Companies in June 1987. She progressed through various departments of the company and was the foreperson for one of the company's fresh pack operations prior to her transfer to Kingston & Associates Marketing in February 2002.

If you see something you would like more information on, or if you have any ideas for next month's issue, please call or email April Barnes at april@kingstoncorp.com.

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