The dog days of August continue.  Shippers are looking to move whatever they can in this slow market, and prices are becoming competitive.   Kids are heading back to school this week and families once again fall into their normal every day routines of school lunches, dinners at home and evening cookouts.  Slightly cooler weather in the Salinas area, but overall good growing conditions for this time of year. Vegetable quality is good, very few problems to speak of.   Still plenty of trucks available, rates continue to decline despite rising fuel costs.

LETTUCE — Quality has been good, structure has been firm.  Cooler sunny days have improved overall condition.  Better weights this week.  More jumbo sizes available and shipper are looking to move.  24 count lettuce is weighing in at 44-45 lbs, normal for this time of year.

BROCCOLI — Good supplies, good deals industry wide, very few quality issues to speak of.   Shippers are looking to move product and taking offers.

CAULIFLOWER — Report card is similar to broccoli, plenty of product and good deals industry wide.  As favorable temperatures continue, expect to see more quality product to come.  Larger sizes are more prevalent, expect better deals on 9s, and some shippers are selling out of 12s.  We don’t expect this market to explode any time soon, there is plenty of product still to come.

LEAF — Romaine is tight, but supplies should recover by later this week.  Weather has been good, and there have been few quality problems to speak of.  Red and Green supplies are ok, quality is good.

CELERY — Good supplies, cheap prices, and shippers are looking to move.  There have been very few of the seeder issues normally seen this time year, mostly due to the cool weather.  Stalks are growing slowly and growers are able to keep the seed stem under control.  Excellent deals on load volume.  Come and get em.

STRAWBERRIES — Driscoll berries are very tight this week with 65% pro rates.  Supplies will continue to be light for 2 weeks.  The biggest contributing factor is the cold foggy weather in the Watsonville area.  The days are not warming up like they should be this time of year.  The outlook  will be much better as September weather warms and the fall crop begins to color up.  Prices are holding steady at over $14 for Driscolls, while other labels are significantly cheaper.