http://www.producewest.com Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:23:34 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en August is done, and September usually starts us thinking about Fall, but we are nearly 4 weeks from there, and there is PLENTY of home grown and local product around the country to keep business out West slow for many items. Broccoli, cauliflower, celery, leaf, cukes, tomatoes, ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=430 8/23/10 WARMER WEATHER After one of the coolest summer months in history, the end of August is showing a warming trend in Monterey County.  The next few days are expected to reach into the 90s and some 100s inland.  This is a dramatic temperature change; for too long now, cool, ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=427 After the first week in August, the Central Coast of California, as well as northern California, is looking at record breaking cold temperatures. What it amounts to is the normal overcast we get in the morning that usually burns off by noon, or so, continues to hang around, keeping ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=425 Even though the weather in the East is "cooling" off, the heat from the past few weeks is taking its toll on produce. Short term, lots of damage on just about all items. Long term, it will shorten the Eastern harvesting season on leaf, melon, broccoli, peppers, you name ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=422 It's inevitable that the "Dog Days" hit us during the summer, and we are there. Local vegetables and fruits are coming on like gangbusters in the Midwest, South, Southeast, and the East, and this means that business for many items slow to a crawl. Long range weather for the ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=420 SUMMER FRUITS HEAT UP As we head into the dead of summer, we are seeing more volume on tree fruits, as well as the start of the summer melon deal, with cantaloupes, honeydews, and assorted mix melons coming in. Grapes have also started. Also, Bartlett pears are just ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=418 Now that the 4th of July is officially over, we start settling into full summer mode. With that, stores continue to pound away on tree fruits, melons, grapes, and other assorted fruits, along with various summer vegetables, such as lettuce, celery, carrots, and leaf items. As hot ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=415 Although summer doesn't officially start until next week, schools are out and vacations are starting. Because of our continuing slow economy, "staycations" will, once again, be the norm.  But, that also means shifting of produce needs from the typical cooking vegetables and lettuce salads, to fruit salads and ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=410 For several reasons, trucks have been tight the past few weeks, and look to be even TIGHTER in the coming weeks. A combination of tighter emission standards making it more expensive to run trucks, and the fact that the economy is still slow. We are also seeing increased demand ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=405 The National Weather Service reports that northern California is experiencing the coldest average temperatures in May since 1880. While the growing areas for fruits and vegetables are more considered "central" California, we have had much the same. In fact, the whole state has had one of the coldest Mays on ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=377 Now that spring is in full bloom we have been waiting for the warmer weather that is normal this time of year, however, it still feels like winter for most of the west coast.  National news claims this has been the warmest year on record, but so far we are ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=372 Unusually cool weather in California has really slowed growth and harvesting of several items that are trying to come on. Head lettuce, green leaf, cauliflower, celery, strawberries, and various other items are just not coming, and the stronger markets are reflecting that. Long range weather in Central California show continued cool ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=368 After near-record rains in California for April, we are FINALLY getting our wonderful spring weather! Rain and cold temperatures have affected nearly all vegetable items coming out of Northern and Central California--strawberries, lettuce, leaf items, cauliflower, and celery. Even though we aren't out of the woods yet, clear, mild weather ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=366 It's hard to imagine that we are already looking to the first week in May, and Mother's Day business! This is a big week for several items, but mainly STRAWBERRIES. And, unfortunately, more rain is forecasted this week, which will keep things messed up this week, to be sure. Long range ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=363 We can't seem to get into our Spring weather here in "sunny" California. Normally after the first of April, we basically shut off the faucet and won't get any more measurable rain until October or November. This year has been goofy. We are forecasted for more rain Tuesday and Wednesday ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=358 After record breaking rainfall totals for March throughout the East, we now see record setting HIGHS. A real swing as April enters its first week. This should help sales at the store level with such items as strawberries, lettuce,  and other Springtime items. Long range weather in the East shows little ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=356 This is the final week for the majority of product loading in the desert areas. While some shippers will continue to go on various items there for a few more weeks, the major items, such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, leaf, and celery, will move northward. But, with this transitional time ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=350 Besides being a very special time of year for people of Christian faith, this time of year also brings to mind several things. Spring, Easter egg hunts, family picnics and barbecues, longer days in the sun, and BASEBALL. In produce, several things immediately pop up. Asparagus, strawberries, and transitional moves ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=348 2010 is already going by too fast. This past weekend started daylight savings time, Spring starts this weekend, and Easter business kicks in as early as this weekend, too. Like Ferris Bueller said "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look around, you might miss it'". The desert is ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=346 As we move through the month of February, there is PLENTY of product available. Lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, romaine, leaf, and even celery are promotable for the next few weeks, at least. We are trying to push ads on any and all items mentioned, so GET SELLING! Long range weather forecast in ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=344 As we enter February, the majority of the vegetable markets are at, or close to the floor. Yes, even celery is coming down after weeks of $30-40.00 prices. Sales across the country are slow, which seems the way the economy is going. The standard comment is "well, people have to ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=341 While it is now safe to say that we are finally out of our 3 year drought in California, we didn't expect to get all of water needs at once! This week, for instance, the Sierra Nevada mountains are expected to get upwards of 10 FEET of snow. In Northern ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=339 With the addition of celery and asparagus, the desert now has a full compliment of items that will carry us well into March and April. This certainly helps with truck loading, with regards to pickups and freight rates. It is also important to note that when a truck finishes in ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=335 After 2+ months of crazy markets, things are settling down to more normal conditions. Head lettuce, romaine, green leaf, red leaf, and broccoli prices have come back down to more of a "reasonable" situation, compared to the record-breaking prices we saw. It's tough to put out any kind of decent ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=329 Believe it or not, this week will start the first shipments going to the East coast for Christmas business. They actually won't start until the end of this week, but nevertheless, Christmas is here! Even though some of the markets are starting to finally hit the wall, like romaine, we ... http://www.producewest.com/?p=174