Ag News: Avocado First-Timers and Ground Beef Sales Higher
**Avocados have attracted new crowds in the past year, as the No. 1 fruit item that consumers say they’ve tried in the past year for the first time.
According to thepacker.com, many consumers have a hard time resisting avocados’ creamy flesh, clearly favored by certain ethnic groups.
It’s the sixth straight year Hispanics have been the most likely to buy avocados, followed by Asian consumers.
Income also make a difference in avocado purchases.
**Through May 17th, U.S. ground beef sales increased more than $1 billion compared to the same period last year.
210 Analytics president, Anne-Marie Roerink tells agweb.com, year-to-date, meat department dollar sales were up 24.8%, boasting double-digit growth for ten weeks running.
She adds this reflects an additional $5.5 billion sold.
Volume sales were up 18%, an additional 7.6 billion pounds of meat and poultry.
**The USDA Monday kicked off the 11th annual government-wide Feds Feed Families campaign, which encourages employees from all federal departments and agencies to give in-kind contributions, of food, services, and time, to food banks and pantries.
This year’s campaign highlights a summer of giving in June and July, along with seasonal reminders to donate throughout the year.
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says our USDA family has the most dedicated employees in the federal government and this is our chance to help feed those in need.