Once again, Kingston & Associates hosted an invitational golf tournament at Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino Resort outside of Phoenix, Arizona. This year, 32 players from eight states and Canada competed for fun and prizes on December 2, 2005.

The friendly competition on the golf course was expected as we returned to the Duke at Rancho El Dorado. "The Duke" is a David Druzisky-designed, par 72 course. It is deceptively challenging, 7,011 yards from the back tees, and highlighted by expansive fairways that evoke the wide open spaces of the Old West.

Two team prizes were awarded. The first place team with a score of 60 (12 under par) was Joe L. Higham (Volm Bag), Blake Bennett (Produce Country Sales), and Jon Watson (JC Watson). Second place team with a score of 64 (8 under par) was Rick Christianson (Ole Tyme Produce), Debbie Heatherington (Farm Credit), Doug Hix (Idaho Package), and Travis Hess (Kingston).

Individual prizes went to Mike Kingston for the longest drive, and to Travis Hess for closest to the pin.

In addition to spectacular weather, the casino entertainment featured the Dave Mathews Band on Friday evening.

The 3rd Annual Golf Outing will be held either in late 2006 or early 2007. Watch the E-Letter for more information, or contact your Customer Service Representative or Jody Boline.

Heavy rains in Costa Rica over the past several months created production challenges for the supply of Extra Sweet Golden Ripe Pineapple. As the rainy season ends, indicators point to more favorable growing conditions throughout the country. This will enable us to more readily harvest pineapple with the characteristic gold shell of Kingston Extra Sweet Sugar Pines Pineapple.

While growing conditions will be in our favor, there are short-term concerns about supply. Last year in January, Costa Rica experienced abnormally high amounts of rainfall, which caused severe flooding throughout the country. This was extremely devastating to the east side of Costa Rica where many of the larger pineapple producers are concentrated. Due to the high rains and flooding, there were three weeks when most growers were unable to enter their fields and begin the cultivation process.

At the end of December 2005, we began to see the production gaps resulting in shortages in supply. Demand will increase through January due to supply concerns. We should see stabilization of supply in February as we move beyond the period where there were gaps in production and then more active markets in March and April, which are historically the months of highest demand for fresh pineapple.

To mitigate market conditions, we have taken proactive measures to ensure that we will have ample product for our customers, leveraging our large base of growers and geographical diversification.

Kingston has developed a successful pineapple program with multiple pineapple growers shipping throughout Costa Rica. We are able to offer the highest quality product in a variety of sizes of pineapples to our customers. We welcome the opportunity to help you source your pineapple needs.

Talk to your Kingston Customer Service Representative or Mike Anderson for more information.

The UPRR fuel surcharge for January 2006 will be 13.5%

If anyone has any questions regarding rail transportation and rates, please see your Customer Service person.

Truck supply remained short throughout the month of December. Short supplies are expected to continue until mid-January. The holidays have carriers out of their normal transit routines. Truck supply is expected to improve toward the end of January, and supply should be adequate for the entire month of February.

For more information, please call your customer service representative, or Chris Doore-Taylor.

Kingston is proud to have participated in a program with the Idaho Potato Commission to support the high school football team at Saydel High School in Des Moines, IA. Each of the players received a supply of potatoes and information on healthy, nutritious eating for peak athletic performance.

Richard Reece has been the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of Kingston Companies since 2000. The Kingston Companies include Kingston & Associates Marketing, and multiple other companies and joint ventures. As a group, the Kingston Companies is a private, family-owned business.

"Reece," as he is known around the office, is an accomplished executive leader who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. Born in Lima, Peru, he graduated with honors in accounting from Lehigh University. His early career was with Ernst & Young LLP, the international public accounting firm, where he was a partner in the New York City office specializing in corporate restructures and financial services. Reece left E&Y in 1986 to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of American Health Companies, Inc., and went on to hold executive positions with Globe Building Materials, Diamond Home Services, and ImproveNet Inc. all companies he helped take public.

An avid reader, Reece is also an aficionado of racquetball and golf. His competitive streak on the racquetball court and golf course extends to a friendly rivalry with our Company President, Mike Kingston.

Gargiulo Produce is one of the leading produce distributors in the Eastern United States. From their home base in Hillside, New Jersey, Gargiulo Produce serves customers as far south as Virginia, the entire Northeast region, and in Toronto and Eastern Canada.

Since its founding in 1929, Gargiulo Produce has been focused on delivering high-quality produce with superior customer service and value. Originally, Gargiulo Produce was a door-to-door delivery service for residential customers. Over the years, the company has expanded to serve a full line of foodservice categories, with a broad offering of fresh, frozen, and processed products. The company is still owned by the Gargiulo family, and all of their 75 associates are focused on delivering founder Frank Gargiulo's mission to exceed customers' expectations with consistent superior quality and service.

Gargiulo Produce serves a wide variety of both retail and foodservice accounts, including restaurants, hotels, and country clubs. They have a solid business in travel including airlines and cruise ships, and serve a multitude of other wholesale and institutional customers.

In September of 2004, Gargiulo Produce opened a new, 150,000 square foot facility to expand its service capabilities to their customers. The new facility also helps Gargiulo Produce take advantage of its location near major seaports, highways, rail routes, and airports.

Gargiulo Produce has reported growth rates of 10% annually. Customers praise the company for delivery on its four core promises: personalized service, freshest produce, widest product range, and competitive pricing. Gargiulo Produce consistently exceeds its customers' expectations. They maintain a fleet of 30 trucks, and operate completely temperature-controlled docks, to ensure product quality is optimal at delivery. Service representatives are available to customers 24 hours a day, and customers can order from a full line of produce and specialty products.

Kingston has been proud to provide Gargiulo Produce with product since 1994. We are committed to helping Gargiulo Produce serve its customers with high-quality produce that has been one of the drivers of their success.

You can learn more about Gargiulo Produce on the web at www.gargiuloproduce.com.

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.

To unsubscribe from Kingston's Monthly Newsletter please send an email with your email address to nlremove@kingstoncorp.com.