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Blueberries – Should continue locally well into July and then we’ll make the transition to more Northern states like New Jersey and Michigan.

Happy Friday the 13th ! Local Produce – We’re seeing plentiful numbers of blackberries, blueberries, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, pepper, squash, zucchini and greens. The season is off to a great start on most items. Blueberries – Are at peak season locally and should continue for quite a while. Quality has been beautiful. Corn – Is starting locally and we’ll have plenty of Bi-Color and white local corn. There are not many local farmers that grow yellow, so we won’t have much of that, but the Bi-color and white have been beautiful. Cucumbers – Have started locally and we’re proud to be selling them. Pricing is great and there are plenty to go around. Grapes – Are trying to get going in Mexico to start the new season, but weather has caused a slow beginning to the year and some growers expect trouble later in the season because of it. Prices have climbed on the limited supplies. Lettuce – After a brief heat wave throughout California’s Salinas Valley growing region, some fields and varieties are developing heat-related challenges, primarily on lettuce and tender leaf items. Farmers are warning of Dehydration/wilting, Growth cracks, Increased insect damage, Internal burn/tip burn, Discoloration/yellowing leaves, and shortened shelf-life. Watch your lettuces closely and expect shorter than normal shelf life. Melons – We’re seeing plenty of east coast cantaloupes and watermelons. Our local guys should begin this coming week or next on both. Honeydews will be a little bit later. Quality has been excellent so far and should continue with that trend. Oranges – California is wrapping up their navel season and we’re starting to see the first Valencias. This is a seasonal changeover that happens every summer. Strawberries – Are plentiful in California, so much so that many growers are having to send them to canners and freezers to move the volume. Quality is great and pricing is very good. Tomatoes – Are in very good volume from many growing areas. Our local tomato deal usually starts around the 4 th of July holiday week. My wife and I have made the decision that we don’t want children. We’re telling them after dinner.

Happy Friday the 13th ! Local Produce – We’re seeing plentiful numbers of blackberries, blueberries, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, pepper, squash, zucchini and greens. The season is off to a great start on most items. Blueberries – Are at peak season [...]

June 12, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
lettuces

Produce Supply Update June 5th, 2025 Good Morning! Local Produce – We have a whole week of wet weather starting today. That will give many local farmers as well as others on the east coast big troubles and shut down production this week. Locally, they are just getting going good coming and this will be a minor speed bump. We’re still getting plenty of blueberries, cabbage, squash, zucchini and greens. Corn is getting started this week also. Welcome to summertime bounty! Broccoli – Has finished locally, so we’ll be moving away from NC going forward. With the warm weather, they start getting leggy and it’s time to move to cooler regions. Blueberries – Are at peak season locally and should continue for quite a while. Quality has been beautiful. Corn – Is starting locally and we’ll have plenty of Bi-Color and white local corn. There are not many local farmers that grow yellow, so we won’t have much of that, but the Bi-color and white should be awesome. Cucumbers – Have started locally and we’re proud to be selling them. Pricing is great and there are plenty to go around. Grapes – Are trying to get going in Mexico to start the new season, but supplies have been limited, causing a slow beginning to the year. Prices have climbed on the limited supplies. Lettuce – After a brief heat wave throughout California’s Salinas Valley growing region, some fields and varieties are developing heat-related challenges, primarily on lettuce and tender leaf items. Farmers are warning of Dehydration/wilting, Growth cracks, Increased insect damage, Internal burn/tip burn, Discoloration/yellowing leaves, and shortened shelf-life. Work you lettuces closely and expect shorter than normal shelf life. Strawberries – Are finished locally at the wholesale level. There will be some roadside stands still offering a few berries to retail customers, but the season is over. It was one of the best years in memory for them this spring. We’ll be moving back to Driscoll going forward. Tomatoes – A week of rainy weather hasn’t helped the tomato crop, and this coming week is projected to be wet again, but markets are down a bit on many varieties. I asked my dog “What is two minus two?” He said nothing.

Good Morning! Local Produce – We have a whole week of wet weather starting today. That will give many local farmers as well as others on the east coast big troubles and shut down production this week. Locally, they are [...]

June 6, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
Blueberries – Should continue locally well into July and then we’ll make the transition to more Northern states like New Jersey and Michigan.

Good Morning! Local Produce – Weather has cooperated all spring and we’re seeing plenty of strawberries, blueberries, cabbage, broccoli and greens. We’re expecting to see squash and zucchini get starting this coming week. They’re always the first vegetables to start the NC season and with the spring that we’ve had, quality and harvests should be really nice. Asparagus – Domestic growers are firing off and more are expected to begin this month. We received our first domestic shipment last week and the quality is just beautiful. Broccoli – Has started locally and it’s been really pretty. As long as the weather stays spring-like, we’ll have it in stock. Once it warms up, though, the broccoli season will move north. Blueberries – Started this week locally and they’re starting beautiful. A whole week of rains on them may cause some supply glitches short term, but we’re off to a great beginning. Corn – Is in excellent volume now from Florida and quality has been beautiful. Big, plump and sweet, it’s a great time to promote it for your spring menus. Cucumbers – Are becoming available domestically again after the wintertime imports wrap up. Florida is cranking up their vegetable machine and a lot of items are rolling along now. Lettuce – Iceberg lettuce, romaine, red and green leaf supplies are plentiful with many growers looking to promote. Quality reports are showing great overall quality and good weights. We’re expecting a smooth season. Melons – Central American melon season is winding down, and should finish up in May. Pricing should start easing upward as supplies decrease. West coast shippers should begin about then. Squash – And zucchini scheduled to begin this week locally, but all of the rains this week may cause some quality issues and a delayed start. Strawberries – Remain local and remain beautiful. Quality and volume are great and they’re expecting the trend to continue for another month or so. Tomatoes – Markets took a jump last week with a solid week of rain on the east coast blowing up the fruit that’s on the vine. Farmers have to strip the vines and begin again with that much rain to avoid quality issues, so we’re expecting to see some shortages this coming week. I bought a wooden whistle and it wooden whistle. Then I bought a steel whistle and it still wooden whistle.

Good Morning! Local Produce – Weather has cooperated all spring and we’re seeing plenty of strawberries, blueberries, cabbage, broccoli and greens. We’re expecting to see squash and zucchini get starting this coming week. They’re always the first vegetables to start [...]

May 16, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
Cucumber, Super Select

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend! Local Produce – Weather has cooperated all spring and we’re seeing plenty of strawberries so far, cabbage, broccoli and greens. We’re expecting to see squash and zucchini get started in about a week or so. They’re always the first vegetables to start the NC season and with the spring that we’ve had, quality and harvests should be really nice. Asparagus – Domestic growers are firing off and more are expected to begin this month. We received our first domestic shipment last week and the quality is just beautiful. Broccoli – Has started locally and it’s been really pretty. As long as the weather stays spring-like, we’ll have it in stock. Once it warms up, though, the broccoli season will move north. Blueberries – Georgia continues their season, but limited supplies are keeping pricing strong. Our local guys should begin very soon and we’re looking forward to seeing them get started and save everyone some money. Corn – Is in excellent volume now from Florida and quality has been beautiful. Big, plump and sweet, it’s a great time to promote it for your spring menus. Cucumbers – Are becoming available domestically again after the wintertime imports wrap up. Florida is cranking up their vegetable machine and a lot of items are rolling along now. Lettuce – Iceberg lettuce, romaine, red and green leaf supplies are plentiful with many growers looking to promote. Quality reports are showing great overall quality and good weights. We’re expecting a smooth season. Limes – Rains in Mexico shut down production for several days and the markets reacted quickly raising pricing. Melons – Central American melon season is winding down, and should finish up in May. Pricing should start easing upward as supplies decrease. West coast shippers should begin about then. Onions – Everyone’s favorite aromatics are on sale right now. Onions are at great prices due to heavy supplies left over from last year’s harvest and a strong spring crop. All varieties are at rock bottom pricing. Squash – And zucchini are starting in Georgia and we should see local in a week or so. Pricing is very favorable with the strong supplies. Strawberries – Remain local and remain beautiful. Quality and volume are great and they’re expecting the trend to continue for another month or so. Q: What are the best flowers to give to your mom this weekend? A: Mums

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend! Local Produce – Weather has cooperated all spring and we’re seeing plenty of strawberries so far, cabbage, broccoli and greens. We’re expecting to see squash and zucchini get started in about a week or so. They’re [...]

May 8, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
Strawberries

Good morning! Local Produce – Weather has cooperated all spring and we’re seeing plenty of strawberries so far, cabbage, broccoli and greens. We’re expecting to see squash and zucchini get started in about 2 weeks. They’re always the first vegetables to start the NC season and with the spring that we’ve had, quality and harvests should be really nice. Asparagus – Domestic growers are firing off and more are expected to begin this month. We received our first domestic shipment last week and the quality is just beautiful. Blueberries – Georgia started production last week after Florida had a rough start to their season. Wet weather wrapped them up quickly, keeping supplies tight, but all systems are go for a strong season going forward. Corn – Is in good volume now from Florida and quality has been beautiful. Big, plump and sweet, it’s a great time to promote it for your spring menus. Cucumbers – Are becoming available domestically again after the wintertime imports wrap up. Florida is cranking up their vegetable machine and a lot of items are rolling along now. Lettuce – Iceberg lettuce, romaine, red and green leaf supplies are plentiful with many growers looking to promote. Quality reports are showing great overall quality and good weights. The weather forecast calls for cooler temperatures with no rain expected this week, which is perfect growing weather in California. We’re expecting a smooth season. Limes – Rains in Mexico shut down production for several days and the markets reacted quickly raising pricing. Melons – Central American melon season is winding down, and should finish up in May. Pricing should start easing upward as supplies decrease. West coast shippers should begin about then. Onions – Everyone’s favorite aromatics are on sale right now. Onions are at great prices due to heavy supplies left over from last year’s harvest and a strong spring crop. All varieties are at rock bottom pricing. Squash – And zucchini is coming into better volumes in Florida, Georgia is getting started and our local farms should fire off in a couple of weeks. Pricing is down on the strong supplies. Strawberries – We’ve been shipping Local strawberries for 4 weeks now and they’ve been beautiful and priced very favorably. Feature them everywhere you can to take advantage. “I’m sorry” and “I apologize” usually mean the same thing. But not a funeral.

Good morning! Local Produce – Weather has cooperated all spring and we’re seeing plenty of strawberries so far, cabbage, broccoli and greens. We’re expecting to see squash and zucchini get started in about 2 weeks. They’re always the first vegetables [...]

May 2, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
Squash, Zucchini

Good morning! Local Produce – We’re seeing plenty of strawberries so far, cabbage, and greens. We’re expecting to see squash and zucchini get started in about 2 weeks. They’re always the first vegetables to start the NC season and with the spring that we’ve had, quality and harvests should be really nice. Asparagus – Supplies are improving, with West Coast growers getting into the act now. Pricing is lower this week. Blueberries – Florida blueberries are up and running and we’re looking forward to a great season. Once the east coast fires off Corn – Is in good volume now from Florida and quality has been beautiful. Big, plump and sweet, it’s a great time to promote it for your spring menus. Eggs – Fewer Avian flu outbreaks and lighter demand at the recent higher pricing have brought egg prices down for this coming week. We’ll see if this trend continues. Lettuce – Iceberg lettuce, romaine, red and green leaf supplies are plentiful with many growers looking to promote. Quality reports are showing great overall quality and good weights. The weather forecast calls for cooler temperatures with no rain expected this week, which is perfect growing weather in California. We’re expecting a smooth season. Melons – Central American melon season is winding down, and should finish up in May. Pricing should start easing upward as supplies decrease. West coast shippers should begin about then. Onions – Everyone’s favorite aromatics are on sale right now. Onions are at great prices due to heavy supplies left over from last year’s harvest and a strong spring crop. All varieties are at rock bottom pricing. Potatoes – Baking potato supplies are still good and strong, with pricing about as low as it gets. Reds and gold potatoes are a bit tighter and more expensive than the baking potatoes. Squash – And zucchini is coming into better volumes in Florida, Georgia is getting started and our local farms should fire off in a couple of weeks. Pricing is down on the strong supplies. Strawberries – We’ve been shipping Local strawberries for 2 weeks now and they’ve been beautiful and priced very favorably. Feature them everywhere you can to take advantage. Did you know that nothing in the english language starts with the letter “n” and ends in “g”?

Good morning! Local Produce – We’re seeing plenty of strawberries so far, and cabbage and greens. We’re expecting to see squash and zucchini get started in about 2 weeks. They’re always the first vegetables to start the NC season and [...]

April 28, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
Broccoli – Remains extremely limited in California, but our North Carolina farmers are getting started with better volume this week

Good Morning! Tariffs – After much discussions and anticipation, the President announced last week that produce from Mexico and Canada will be exempted from any tariffs. Avocados – Remain tight with farmers holding back product to keep pricing strong. The market is expected to remain strong and supply tight on some sizes. Quality remains good. Blueberries – Chili and Peru are winding down right now, but Florida is expected to begin production any time. Once the east coast starts, supplies and quality will be much stronger. Broccoli- coming from multiple areas now and pricing is very favorable and reflecting the strong supplies. Cabbage – Is coming in locally now from Sampson County, NC. Quality is very nice and it doesn’t get much fresher than this! Eggs – Fewer Avian flu outbreaks and lighter demand at the recent higher pricing have brought egg prices down for this coming week. We’ll see if this trend continues. Grapes – Continue at glut levels, with the overlap in seasons bringing more grapes than shippers can sell. Pricing is about as low as it gets right now. Lettuce – Growers are looking toward the northern transition with anticipation of new fields and fresher lettuces. Quality has been very good this season, but should still improve with the transition to new areas. Onions – Everyone’s favorite aromatics are on sale right now. Onions are at great prices due to heavy supplies left over from last year’s harvest and a strong spring crop. All varieties are at rock bottom pricing. Potatoes – Baking potato supplies are still good and strong, with pricing about as low as it gets. Reds and gold potatoes are a bit tighter and more expensive than the baking potatoes. Strawberries – It’s officially Spring! We are scheduled to receive our first shipment of local strawberries today. We’re looking forward to a great season! My friend just bought 60 chicks for his farm. They were going cheep.

Good Morning! Tariffs – After much discussions and anticipation, the President announced last week that produce from Mexico and Canada will be exempted from any tariffs. Avocados – Remain tight with farmers holding back product to keep pricing strong. The [...]

April 4, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
Grapes, White Seedless

Good Morning! Avocados – Remain tight with farmers holding back product to keep pricing strong. The market is expected to remain strong and supply tight on some sizes. Quality remains good. Blueberries – Chili and Peru are winding down right now, but Florida is expected to begin production this coming week. Broccoli- coming from multiple areas now and pricing is very favorable and reflecting the strong supplies. Cabbage – After a successful St Patrick’s Day, cabbage continues to be in good quality and supply and harvesting in several areas. Deals continue to be available. Eggs – Fewer Avian flu outbreaks and lighter demand at the recent higher pricing have brought egg prices down for this coming week. We’ll see if this trend continues. Grapes – Continue at glut levels, with the overlap in seasons bringing more grapes than shippers can sell. Pricing is about as low as it gets right now. Lettuce – Growers are looking toward the northern transition with anticipation of new fields and fresher lettuces. Quality has been very good this season, but should still improve with the transition to new areas. Onions – Mexico has begun their new crop and supplies and are very heavy and quality is excellent. The overlap in seasons between old crop and new crop onions are keeping pricing very low. Potatoes – Baking potato supplies are still good and strong, with pricing about as low as it gets. Reds and gold potatoes are a bit tighter and more expensive than the baking potatoes. Strawberries – Our local growers are expecting a great season and should start in about 3 weeks. Tomatoes – Prices continued to climb last week and supplies shortened dramatically. Warmer weather will help supplies as we near spring. Q: What do you call a magician that loses his magic? A: Ian

Good Morning! Avocados – Remain tight with farmers holding back product to keep pricing strong. The market is expected to remain strong and supply tight on some sizes. Quality remains good. Blueberries – Chili and Peru are winding down right [...]

March 28, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
(lettuces) Iceberg Lettuce Field

Good Morning! An interesting note… While the cost of virtually everything you can think of has risen in price over the past few years, Produce has actually DEFLATED. Fresh fruits and vegetables fell -1.0 percent from January to February, and it dropped -0.3 percent year- over-year. Fresh fruit rose 1.9 percent year-over-year but dropped -0.4 percent for the month. Fresh vegetables fell – 2.5 percent year-over-year and -1.7 percent from January to February. Avocados – Remain tight with farmers holding back product to keep pricing strong. The market is expected to remain strong and supply tight on some sizes. Quality remains good. Broccoli – Is coming from multiple areas now and pricing is very favorable and reflecting the strong supplies. Cabbage – After a successful St Patrick’s Day, cabbage continues to be in good quality and supply and harvesting in several areas. Deals continue to be available. Eggs – Fewer Avian flu outbreaks and lighter demand at the recent higher pricing have brought egg prices down for this coming week. We’ll see if this trend continues. Grapes – Continue at glut levels, with the overlap in seasons bringing more grapes than shippers can sell. Pricing is about as low as it gets right now. Lettuce – A heat wave in the Arizona growing region has farmer’s warning of a rocky transition from there to the Salinas valley for lettuces, broccoli, and other west coast vegetables. They expect lettuce items to become difficult to attain as the desert season winds down. This week, temperatures will climb into the mid-80°s through the weekend and may reach triple digits by Wednesday, March 26. Growers will adjust harvesting schedules to not harvest during the hottest part of the day, but this will limit how many they can ship in a day’s time. Expect to see some shortages and higher pricing until Salinas gets going. Onions – Mexico has begun their new crop and supplies and are very heavy and quality is excellent. The overlap in seasons between old crop and new crop onions are keeping pricing very low. Tomatoes – Pricing started to climb this week, because as low as they were, they can only go in one direction. There are still strong supplies, we’re just seeing pricing get back to normal levels. Why do they call them paring knives when you can only use one at a time?

Good Morning! An interesting note… While the cost of virtually everything you can think of has risen in price over the past few years, Produce has actually DEFLATED. Fresh fruits and vegetables fell -1.0 percent from January to February, and [...]

March 21, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
Cabbages

Good Morning! Asparagus – Mexican fields are reaching their peak production and quality and volumes are both very good. Springtime is asparagus time! Broccoli – Is coming from multiple areas now and pricing is very favorable and reflecting the strong supplies. Cabbage – Plentiful harvests in our southern states have markets at great values. Stock up for your St. Patrick’s Day specials. Eggs – No news here. They’re still in a mess. We’re hearing expected increases of up to 40% over the next year. The department of agriculture is working to alleviate the situation, but we haven’t heard their plans yet. We’ll keep you posted as we know more or things begin to change. Grapes – Are at glut levels. There are still a lot of high quality South American grapes left to be sold, and Mexican growers are starting their season, creating a large overlap. Volumes are very high on reds, whites, and blacks and prices are very good right now. Feature them everywhere you can. Greens – Supplies on all eastern greens are better as we’re past the worst of the cold weather. Greens like it cold, but not too cold, as that discolors the leaves. Pineapples- Much stronger supplies are coming to market as growing areas dry out and get back to harvesting. Onions – Mexico has begun and quality are much improved. Prices are currently about as low as we ever see them an they’re beautiful. Squash- Florida has wrapped up some older fields and moved to new younger areas and quality has improved, but pricing is stronger on the more limited supplies. Tomatoes – Are plentiful and cheap. There were a lot of fears that the Mexican tariffs would effect the market, but they haven’t changed things one nickel on the tomato market. Supplies are heavy and the fruit is gorgeous. Q: Why do people wear shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day. A: Because regular rocks are too heavy.

Good Morning! Asparagus – Mexican fields are reaching their peak production and quality and volumes are both very good. Springtime is asparagus time! Broccoli – Is coming from multiple areas now and pricing is very favorable and reflecting the strong [...]

March 14, 2025 featured, Produce Supply Update
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