The weather experts were right...El Niño has become a major problem for much of the world including many of our tropical suppliers.

Mango and papaya crops in Peru and Ecuador have been devastated. The passion fruit crop has been delayed, and the pink guava in Malaysia has been slow to mature. We have been working daily to keep up with weather related developments in our business. Through alternate sourcing and some early long-term planning, we have been able to keep up with the demand for most of our products. Through it all however, we have been mindful of the terrible devastation this phenomenon has had on the lives of many around the world.

While much is speculation, there is no doubt that El Niño is not finished with us yet. What the fall and winter will bring us is anybody's guess. What is certain is that the damage and destruction is not yet over and El Niño's effect on crops and weather patterns the world over will be long felt and long remembered.

Typically, smoothies contain fruit or a combination of fruits in addition to a milk, yogurt or soy product. Some are frozen, some are not. Others are based on fruit only and are both fat and dairy free.

Either way, there is no doubt that Smoothies are a product whose time has come. They are cold, sweet, quick, filling, nutritions and a perfect summer food. They can be make in hundreds of ways and are an excellent use of IQF tropicals like banana slices, diced mango, papaya or a combination.

The only limitation?