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THE ANNUAL PRODUCE FIELD “TRANSITION:” WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Andrew Marshall
Ensuring optimal growing conditions for leafy green produce means moving the crop once a year - but why? And what impact does it have?
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The annual produce field “transition” is coming up, and this has the potential to impact the availability and quality of vegetables that are coming from major U.S. production regions in California. Two times each year, West Coast vegetable and leafy green production transitions between the Salinas Valley Region in California to either southern California’s Imperial Valley desert region or Yuma, Arizona. This “transition” occurs to ensure optimal growing conditions that produce beautiful and abundant leafy green vegetables. The timing for transition can vary depending on crops and the weather conditions in the new growing regions, but it’s generally estimated to occur during the months of November (Salinas to Yuma) and April (Yuma to Salinas). This industry-wide occurrence can last anywhere from 4-5 days to two weeks, depending on the crops and the growing conditions in each area. “During this time, school menu planners will want to stay in close communication with their produce distributor to stay informed about the availability, quality, and price of vegetables, that are scheduled to be ordered,” said Andrew Marshall, Director of Wholesaler-Distributor Relations and External Partnerships with the International Fresh Produce Association. “The produce paradox - - when prices are low, quality is great, and when prices are high, quality can be limited or sub-par - - is definitely in play, during this time of year, and this provides an opportunity to consult your distributor about what’s in- season and local to your area, or what may be available from other production areas” he added. California growers experience increased disease pressure and quality issues during the transition period because of the changing cooler weather conditions that arrive toward the end of the season. Also, as production comes to an end in one reason, the crop is not always ready to harvest at
similar levels in the new region. Product may still be growing to maturity or in some cases a crop may not be as hardy in the earliest days of the new season, and as a result there is limited available supply of best-in-class product. Additionally, part of the transition process involves many of the nation’s largest vegetable growers packing-up and moving their entire operations to the winter vegetable growing region. They move much of their processing equipment, including industrial size salad spinners, sorters, etc., out of their facilities in Salinas, and put them on trucks and move the equipment to their facilities in Yuma. In the case of Taylor Farms, their facility is broken down and transported 571 miles, and then rebuilt in 56-hours.
https://youtu.be/OIxmkxUmUl8?si=KYJlI7Y1dsXokLn2
At the end of the day, Mother Nature is still in-charge, and our nation’s lettuce and vegetable growers will continue to do their best to limit gaps and bring a steady stream of quality produce to market, even during this transition period. The goal is always for customers not to experience any difference in product quality or availability. Produce suppliers are committed to doing whatever it takes to consistently bring their products to your table. Watch as Taylor Farms transitions machinery from their Salinas, CA processing plant to their winter growing region in Yuma, AZ.
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