Fresh Alliance’s Post

Market Report 9.5.2024 Supplies are lighter this week on local corn, bell peppers, hot peppers, squash, and cucumbers. East coast berries and stone fruit are wrapping up while beans continue to be stable. Fall items are expected to be available this week. Tomato markets are still volatile with rounds lighter this week and plenty of romas available. Current table grape supply and demand out of California is strong. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the west, tighter supply is available to market on mushrooms. Weather impacts and viral pressure have caused supply shortfalls across the region on all varieties; they are hoping this will improve over the next six weeks. Limes are extremely short as well with marginal quality until the new growing areas get started sometime at the beginning of Q4. The avocado Loca crop continues to favor 60s and smaller, and the USDA is reporting more than a $20 spread between 48s and 60s. Weather in the Salinas Valley is still warmer than usual. The Brussels sprout market is no longer extreme but is still escalated. The triggers should come off very soon. Endives, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated but are trending down with supplies improving. Green onions are still at the extreme trigger. Cilantro is also very tight. Cauliflower is no longer at an extreme trigger but is still escalated. Artichokes are also at the extreme trigger. The supplies are very tight and will be that way for the next few weeks. Growers are holding to averages. Broccoli is still escalated but is trending down and should be off triggered pricing soon. Spinach is not escalated yet, but it is on the watchlist due to tight supplies. Some growers are prorating. Excessive heat in the San Joaquin Valley citrus growing areas have heavily affected supplies on the Valencia orange crop with another heatwave forecasted for the end of this week. Most shippers are reporting probable “Gaps” in production of up to 2 to 3 weeks or more between the end of the Valencia crop and the beginning of the Navel season.

Market Report 9.5.2024 Supplies are lighter this week on local corn, bell peppers, hot peppers, squash, and cucumbers. East coast berries and stone fruit are wrapping up while beans continue to be stable. Fall items are expected to be available this week. Tomato markets are still volatile with rounds lighter this week and plenty of romas available. Current table grape supply and demand out of California is strong. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the west, tighter supply is available to market on mushrooms. Weather impacts and viral pressure have caused supply shortfalls across the region on all varieties; they are hoping this will improve over the next six weeks. Limes are extremely short as well with marginal quality until the new growing areas get started sometime at the beginning of Q4. The avocado Loca crop continues to favor 60s and smaller, and the USDA is reporting more than a $20 spread between 48s and 60s. Weather in the Salinas Valley is still warmer than usual. The Brussels sprout market is no longer extreme but is still escalated. The triggers should come off very soon. Endives, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated but are trending down with supplies improving. Green onions are still at the extreme trigger. Cilantro is also very tight. Cauliflower is no longer at an extreme trigger but is still escalated. Artichokes are also at the extreme trigger. The supplies are very tight and will be that way for the next few weeks. Growers are holding to averages. Broccoli is still escalated but is trending down and should be off triggered pricing soon. Spinach is not escalated yet, but it is on the watchlist due to tight supplies. Some growers are prorating. Excessive heat in the San Joaquin Valley citrus growing areas have heavily affected supplies on the Valencia orange crop with another heatwave forecasted for the end of this week. Most shippers are reporting probable “Gaps” in production of up to 2 to 3 weeks or more between the end of the Valencia crop and the beginning of the Navel season.

Market Report 7.18.2024 Corn, Roma tomatoes, bell peppers and hot peppers are all extremely short this week with possible GAPS in production on poblanos, habaneros and cubanelles. Most of this is due to heat and rain related pressure; with the transition to Tennessee and North Carolina expected over the next two weeks, we expect supply locally to be extremely short. In addition, table grapes, corn, bell peppers, stone fruit, soft squash, tomatoes, beans and eggplant will see weather-related pressure in the west as they are exposed to the first major heat wave of the season in California. Table grape supply out of Mexico is winding down rapidly. Recent rain and heat have caused quality issues and fruit is being rejected at the border daily for poor sizing, soft berry, shatter and other shelf-life issues. California grape production has begun, and quality is outstanding. Market stability is seemingly within reach for avocados. Rain continues in most Guatemalan growing regions damaging crops. This will have long-term effects on commodities such as French beans, snow peas, sugar snap peas, heirloom tomatoes, and hand-peeled baby carrots. The weather in the Salinas Valley is returning to normal temperatures but the inland valleys remain very hot. The growers have all done a great job navigating the heat and harvesting earlier in the day to keep supplies in a good place, but we could still see some difficulties. As for quality, we have been seeing good quality on most items, but the heat has caused thinner texture for spinach, light internal burn for romaine, and damaged cap leaves for lettuce. Once removed, the quality is good. Lettuce liner is still slightly escalated and may increase more depending on how the heat continues to affect the fields. Broccoli and Brussel sprouts are still escalated and are a challenge as far as supplies go. Smaller volume items that are currently escalated due to the heat are endive, escarole, leeks and fennel. We will also continue to monitor the heat and closely watch lettuce liner, romaine, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions and spinach.

Market Report 9.12.2024 Supplies are lighter this week on local corn, bell peppers, hot peppers, squash and cucumbers. East coast berries and stone fruit are wrapping up while beans continue to be stable. Fall items such as sweet potatoes and pumpkins are expected to be available this week. We are watching for impacts of Tropical Storm Francine and will assess once the storm leaves the region. Tomato markets are still volatile with rounds lighter this week and plenty of romas available. Current table grape supply and demand out of California is strong. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the west, tighter supply available to market on mushrooms. Lime volume continues to decline with marginal quality until the new growing areas get started sometime at the beginning of Q4. Loca fruit out of both Michoacán and Jalisco are sizing up, and 48s are becoming a larger portion of the size curve. Weather in the Salinas Valley is cooling down. The Brussels sprouts market is no longer escalated and supplies are finally looking good across the board. Endive, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated but are trending down. Supplies are improving and the cooler weather should really help as long as it sticks around. Green onions and artichokes are still at the extreme trigger. They are extremely tight. Expect these to stay escalated throughout the month. You can expect to see growers holding to averages on these items. Cauliflower is no longer escalated and supplies look good. Broccoli is still escalated but is trending down and should be off triggered pricing soon. Spinach is still not escalated, but it is on the watchlist due to tight supplies. Some growers are prorating. Excessive heat in the San Joaquin Valley citrus growing areas have heavily effected supplies on the Valencia Orange crop with another heatwave forecast for the end of this week. Most shippers are reporting probable “Gaps” in production of up to 2 to 3 weeks or more between the end of the Valencia Crop and the beginning of the Navel season.

Market Report 7.18.2024 Corn, Roma tomatoes, bell peppers and hot peppers are all extremely short this week with possible GAPS in production on poblanos, habaneros and cubanelles. Most of this is due to heat and rain related pressure; with the transition to Tennessee and North Carolina expected over the next two weeks, we expect supply locally to be extremely short. In addition, table grapes, corn, bell peppers, stone fruit, soft squash, tomatoes, beans and eggplant will see weather-related pressure in the west as they are exposed to the first major heat wave of the season in California. Table grape supply out of Mexico is winding down rapidly. Recent rain and heat have caused quality issues and fruit is being rejected at the border daily for poor sizing, soft berry, shatter and other shelf-life issues. California grape production has begun, and quality is outstanding. Market stability is seemingly within reach for avocados. Rain continues in most Guatemalan growing regions damaging crops. This will have long-term effects on commodities such as French beans, snow peas, sugar snap peas, heirloom tomatoes, and hand-peeled baby carrots. The weather in the Salinas Valley is returning to normal temperatures but the inland valleys remain very hot. The growers have all done a great job navigating the heat and harvesting earlier in the day to keep supplies in a good place, but we could still see some difficulties. As for quality, we have been seeing good quality on most items, but the heat has caused thinner texture for spinach, light internal burn for romaine, and damaged cap leaves for lettuce. Once removed, the quality is good. Lettuce liner is still slightly escalated and may increase more depending on how the heat continues to affect the fields. Broccoli and Brussel sprouts are still escalated and are a challenge as far as supplies go. Smaller volume items that are currently escalated due to the heat are endive, escarole, leeks and fennel. We will also continue to monitor the heat and closely watch lettuce liner, romaine, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions and spinach.

Market Report 9.12.2024 Supplies are lighter this week on local corn, bell peppers, hot peppers, squash and cucumbers. East coast berries and stone fruit are wrapping up while beans continue to be stable. Fall items such as sweet potatoes and pumpkins are expected to be available this week. We are watching for impacts of Tropical Storm Francine and will assess once the storm leaves the region. Tomato markets are still volatile with rounds lighter this week and plenty of romas available. Current table grape supply and demand out of California is strong. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the west, tighter supply available to market on mushrooms. Lime volume continues to decline with marginal quality until the new growing areas get started sometime at the beginning of Q4. Loca fruit out of both Michoacán and Jalisco are sizing up, and 48s are becoming a larger portion of the size curve. Weather in the Salinas Valley is cooling down. The Brussels sprouts market is no longer escalated and supplies are finally looking good across the board. Endive, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated but are trending down. Supplies are improving and the cooler weather should really help as long as it sticks around. Green onions and artichokes are still at the extreme trigger. They are extremely tight. Expect these to stay escalated throughout the month. You can expect to see growers holding to averages on these items. Cauliflower is no longer escalated and supplies look good. Broccoli is still escalated but is trending down and should be off triggered pricing soon. Spinach is still not escalated, but it is on the watchlist due to tight supplies. Some growers are prorating. Excessive heat in the San Joaquin Valley citrus growing areas have heavily effected supplies on the Valencia Orange crop with another heatwave forecast for the end of this week. Most shippers are reporting probable “Gaps” in production of up to 2 to 3 weeks or more between the end of the Valencia Crop and the beginning of the Navel season.

Market Report 9.12.2024 Supplies are lighter this week on local corn, bell peppers, hot peppers, squash and cucumbers. East coast berries and stone fruit are wrapping up while beans continue to be stable. Fall items such as sweet potatoes and pumpkins are expected to be available this week. We are watching for impacts of Tropical Storm Francine and will assess once the storm leaves the region. Tomato markets are still volatile with rounds lighter this week and plenty of romas available. Current table grape supply and demand out of California is strong. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the west, tighter supply available to market on mushrooms. Lime volume continues to decline with marginal quality until the new growing areas get started sometime at the beginning of Q4. Loca fruit out of both Michoacán and Jalisco are sizing up, and 48s are becoming a larger portion of the size curve. Weather in the Salinas Valley is cooling down. The Brussels sprouts market is no longer escalated and supplies are finally looking good across the board. Endive, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated but are trending down. Supplies are improving and the cooler weather should really help as long as it sticks around. Green onions and artichokes are still at the extreme trigger. They are extremely tight. Expect these to stay escalated throughout the month. You can expect to see growers holding to averages on these items. Cauliflower is no longer escalated and supplies look good. Broccoli is still escalated but is trending down and should be off triggered pricing soon. Spinach is still not escalated, but it is on the watchlist due to tight supplies. Some growers are prorating. Excessive heat in the San Joaquin Valley citrus growing areas have heavily effected supplies on the Valencia Orange crop with another heatwave forecast for the end of this week. Most shippers are reporting probable “Gaps” in production of up to 2 to 3 weeks or more between the end of the Valencia Crop and the beginning of the Navel season.

Market Report 7.18.2024 Corn, Roma tomatoes, bell peppers and hot peppers are all extremely short this week with possible GAPS in production on poblanos, habaneros and cubanelles. Most of this is due to heat and rain related pressure; with the transition to Tennessee and North Carolina expected over the next two weeks, we expect supply locally to be extremely short. In addition, table grapes, corn, bell peppers, stone fruit, soft squash, tomatoes, beans and eggplant will see weather-related pressure in the west as they are exposed to the first major heat wave of the season in California. Table grape supply out of Mexico is winding down rapidly. Recent rain and heat have caused quality issues and fruit is being rejected at the border daily for poor sizing, soft berry, shatter and other shelf-life issues. California grape production has begun, and quality is outstanding. Market stability is seemingly within reach for avocados. Rain continues in most Guatemalan growing regions damaging crops. This will have long-term effects on commodities such as French beans, snow peas, sugar snap peas, heirloom tomatoes, and hand-peeled baby carrots. The weather in the Salinas Valley is returning to normal temperatures but the inland valleys remain very hot. The growers have all done a great job navigating the heat and harvesting earlier in the day to keep supplies in a good place, but we could still see some difficulties. As for quality, we have been seeing good quality on most items, but the heat has caused thinner texture for spinach, light internal burn for romaine, and damaged cap leaves for lettuce. Once removed, the quality is good. Lettuce liner is still slightly escalated and may increase more depending on how the heat continues to affect the fields. Broccoli and Brussel sprouts are still escalated and are a challenge as far as supplies go. Smaller volume items that are currently escalated due to the heat are endive, escarole, leeks and fennel. We will also continue to monitor the heat and closely watch lettuce liner, romaine, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions and spinach.

Secrets to Growing Bigger Potatoes: Professional Tips to Boost Your Harvest There are thousands of different types of potatoes, ranging in size, color, and flavor. The varieties you choose to grow will determine the size of potatoes you should expect. The largest potatoes are maincrop varieties. They take longer to grow than earlier varieties, but you are rewarded for the longer growing season with larger potatoes come harvest time. Some of the best potato varieties for large tubers include ‘Kondor’ - which holds the world record for the heaviest potato - ‘Cara’, and ‘Russet’ varieties. You can grow bigger potato varieties in raised beds or small vegetable gardens too. They are suitable for growing potatoes in containers, buckets, or grow bags. Keep tubers in a bright, warm spot to encourage your seed potatoes to develop strong and healthy shoots. Tubers can produce many shoots when chitted. Removing some of these to leave two or three shoots per seed potato will mean you get fewer tubers, but bigger potatoes. If you want to grow bigger potatoes, planting them further apart than normally recommended allows plants to take in more nutrients and water - which will mean larger potatoes. Planting maincrop potatoes 24 inches apart, rather tha... #Potatoes #tubers

Market Report 7.25.2024 We are seeing very light supply this week on corn, hot pepper, bell peppers and tomatoes. Roma tomatoes, bell peppers, and hot pepper are all extremely short with possible GAP in production on poblano, habanero and cubanelle. Most of this is due to heat and rain related pressure; with the transition to Tennessee and North Carolina expected over the next two weeks we expect supply locally to be extremely short.  In addition to this the following commodities, will see weather related pressure in the west. Table grapes, corn, bell pepper, stone fruit, soft squash, tomatoes, beans and eggplant will all be exposed as the heat in the west continues. We will need to watch this closely as it could dictate the direction of several markets for weeks. The avocado market has started to recover after undergoing a four-week period of adjustment from the peak price point of the year, which was influenced by the USDA shutdown in Mexico. Consistent volumes are anticipated from all current COOs in the upcoming weeks, with hopes of market stability in August. Although a notable change in size distribution is projected from Mexico in the next few weeks, strategic promotions and size adjustments can help maintain equilibrium. Smaller fruits from Mexico are expected to be preferred in August and September, particularly as California and Peru phase out. Rain continues in most Guatemalan growing regions damaging crops. This will have long-term effects on commodities such as French beans, snow peas, sugar snap peas, heirloom tomatoes, and hand-peeled baby carrots. Growers have continued to navigate the heat and are harvesting earlier in the day to keep supply in a good place as we see some weather-related difficulties in the inland valley as it remains very hot. We have been seeing good quality on most items, but the heat has caused thinner texture for spinach, light internal burn on romaine, and damaged cap leaves on lettuce. Broccoli supplies are improving, and we should see all escalations removed by the end of the month. Brussel Sprouts continue to have quality and supply issues that may not see relief until we get into Aug.