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.
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.
Who Is Impacted? Growers Distributors Restaurants School Foodservice Grocery Stores
What Crops Are Impacted? Lettuces Lettuce Blends Cauliflower Broccoli Celery Green Onions Radishes
https://youtu.be/OIxmkxUmUl8?si=KYJlI7Y1dsXokLn2
Watch as Taylor Farms transitions machinery from their Salinas, CA processing plant to their winter growing region in Yuma, AZ.
Andrew Marshall serves as the main contact for produce wholesalers and foodservice distributor members of the International Fresh Produce Association. In this role, Andrew serves as the staff liaison for the IFPA Wholesaler-Distributor Council and is responsible for membership development, retention, and program participation from companies in this sector. Additionally, Andrew serves as IFPA’s main contact for engagement with non-commercial foodservice operators, including the K-12 school foodservice community, supporting their knowledge and connections with the produce industry. He currently serves as the allied agriculture representative on the board of the American Commodities Distribution Association. International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Andrew Marshall
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