Even with all of the battles we are having out West with product shortages, high prices, and poor quality, we have PLENTY to be thankful for. Family, friends, health, spirituality. THOSE things are most important. We ALL need to remember that. Still, lots of gnashing of teeth the past few weeks, and looks like a mess for the rest of this year. No getting around it. Now that high prices are set, we hope to see demand slack off and prices start going down. We aren’t sure if even weaker demand will slow down the markets. There just isn’t much product out there, and the desert looks light starting out, as well. As we get into December, we will now start getting into weather issues. Cold snaps with freezing problems, rain battles. Stay tuned. Long range weather in the desert growing areas show no rain in sight for the next 10 days. Mild days and cool to cold nights. After a run up on freight rates the past 2 weeks for the Thanksgiving business, things are settling back to normal for this time of year. This weekend could be a battle, with Thanksgiving on Thursday, then trying to find trucks still out here on Friday.

LETTUCE –we’ve moved down to the desert for the most part now. There is a little product left in Salinas and Huron, but the majority is now in the desert areas. The market remains crazy. In fact, shippers have pushed the market AGAIN today, up $2-3.00 over last weekend’s prices. That is surprising, what with a short work week. Traditionally, though, chains like to run lettuce after Thanksgiving, with turkey sandwiches left over from the big dinner. We are looking at lettuce closing in on $30.00 on the East coast, if it isn’t there already. Quality is a problem with the early desert deal. Weights are WAY down. Wrap 24s are ranging from 35-39 pounds. Obviously, with the hot market, the shippers are pushing to get into the fields to take advantage.

BROCCOLI –still strong market here on bunch 14s, 18s, and crowns. Especially crowns. Supplies are coming out of Salinas, Santa Maria, San Joaquin valley, and now the desert. So, we could start to see a range in price.

CAULIFLOWER –steady from last week, but still active. We are seeing a range from $14.00 to $18.00 fob, and could see it get stronger as this week goes.

LEAF ITEMS –still crazy. Romaine over $40.00 fob, green leaf $20-24.00, red leaf $25.00-30.00, boston $24.00-26.00. Light weights, small size. Why would you want to buy?

CELERY –Thanksgiving demand is over, of course, so we should see this market start to back off. We’re surprised shippers haven’t been calling looking for business, but there must be some left over demand. We are expecting some deals later this week.

STRAWBERRIES –we had a touch of rain over the weekend in Salinas and Watsonville, and it won’t take much to finish off that deal. Most of the fruit is now coming out of Santa Maria and Oxnard. Overall demand is only fair right now. Not much interest in berries as we get into December. Also, Florida will get started there soon.