Yes, it is THAT time of year again! It seems like we just got finished with Memorial Day! Whoever said life is a BLINK of an eye was certainly correct.  Enjoy EVERY DAY to the fullest!
As Summer closes, buying produce  patterns change, as well. Families go from eating out while on vacation, to more of a schedule of eating at home, packing lunches, and after school snacks. This is where we start selling more traditional items for the Fall such as apples, oranges,potatoes, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and grapes. Its a good pattern to be in.
Plenty of trucks, and rates continue to slip every so slowly.
Long range weather continue to show seasonal norms, with mild temperatures in the growing areas of Salinas and Santa Maria, hot weather in the grape, melon, and tree fruit country around Fresno. No rain.

LETTUCE–no change here. The market is at a point where the shippers make money, and at the same time, retail prices can be at levels where the product moves well at the store levels. We should see this market hold steady this week.

BROCCOLI–not much change. Maine broccoli is having a effect on East coast business, to be sure. Some “delivered” prices for broccoli to the East is about the same as some West coast FOB prices! That makes it tough to sell.

CAULIFLOWER–while supplies at shipping point aren’t very heavy, business is slow. Retails have been set high, and demand has dropped. We should see business pick up and prices start to climb a bit by this time next week.

LEAF ITEMS–little change here. Romaine is still fairly active, although we are seeing a pretty good spread in price, with as much as a $5.00/box difference, depending upon the label and shipper. Green and red leaf are steady.

CELERY–no change. Market is flat, and there are some great deals out there on just about all sizes. Heart 12s and 18s are readily available.

STRAWBERRIES–most shippers are looking for business, while Driscoll is PRO RATING! Why? Mostly because the majority of berries can’t make the trip across the country to the East coast. It’s that time of year. Driscoll, while not necessarily “prime” stuff, is better than anyone else’s. And they KNOW it. As a result, they are priced $3-5.00/box higher than most, and are cutting back orders.