Fords Produce Company | Fresh Produce Distributor | Raleigh NC
Spotlight

Good Morning! Beans – The 3 day freeze in Florida wiped out the bean crop and prices went through the roof. Work them closely and we should be out of this market soon. Broccoli – Is settling back down after a couple of rough weeks. Supplies are still low, but demand fell off at the higher pricing and that drove markets down. Cabbage – Is in great supply from Florida fields. We’ll see increased demand going into St. Patrick’s Day which may cause pricing to ease upward. We have savoy cabbage on hand if you’d like to change things up a bit. Celery – I’ve never seen a market like this that stayed this high for this long. The farmers out west planted a lot less acreage, creating a shortage that has lasted since October. Prices are still strong and will remain that way until more fields are changed over to celery. Corn – Last week’s freezing temperatures in the Southeast really set back the crop. Supplies are very limited and pricing is very high. Lettuce – Markets quickly climbed last week, just as we warned about. This shortage should last another month. Expect prices to yo-yo as the forces of supply and demand do battle. Prices will rise, people will take it off the menu, they’ll go back down, people will put it back on the menu and they’ll go back up. Peppers – Last week’s freeze in Florida caused some havoc in the pepper world. It ruined the fruit on the vine, so farmers had to wait for the plants to regrow their peppers, creating a shortage. Red, yellow, and orange peppers start out as green peppers, so until the green pepper deal gets sorted out, colored peppers will also be in short supply. Potato – Markets remain unchanged as there are lots of high-quality potatoes coming out of storage from all regions. But, February is Potato Lover’s Month. Feature these bargains wherever you can. Strawberries – Post holiday demand is sluggish for strawberries and prices fell hard. This is a great time to feature them on your menus. Great quality at a great price. Tomatoes – The nationwide cold that we had last week has changed the plentiful tomato market seemingly overnight. Prices are much higher with the shorter supplies. Smaller grape and mixed colored baby tomatoes are particularly tight. My wife saw me on the bathroom scale sucking in my stomach. She said “That’s not going to work.” I said “That’s the only way I can see the numbers.”

Green Peppers; with the higher pricing of green peppers, farmers will elect to pick them green rather than waiting for them to ripen to yellow or red

Good Morning!

Beans – The 3 day freeze in Florida wiped out the bean crop and prices went through the roof. Work them closely and we should be out of this market soon.

Broccoli – Is settling back down after a couple of rough weeks. Supplies are still low, but demand fell off at the higher pricing and that drove markets down.

Cabbage – Is in great supply from Florida fields. We’ll see increased demand going into St. Patrick’s Day which may cause pricing to ease upward. We have savoy cabbage on hand if you’d like to change things up a bit.

Celery – I’ve never seen a market like this that stayed this high for this long. The farmers out west planted a lot less acreage, creating a shortage that has lasted since October. Prices are still strong and will remain that way until more fields are changed over to celery.

Corn – Last week’s freezing temperatures in the Southeast really set back the crop. Supplies are very limited and pricing is very high.

Lettuce – Markets quickly climbed last week, just as we warned about. This shortage should last another month. Expect prices to yo-yo as the forces of supply and demand do battle. Prices will rise, people will take it off the menu, they’ll go back down, people will put it back on the menu and they’ll go back up.

Peppers – Last week’s freeze in Florida caused some havoc in the pepper world. It ruined the fruit on the vine, so farmers had to wait for the plants to regrow their peppers, creating a shortage. Red, yellow, and orange peppers start out as green peppers, so until the green pepper deal gets sorted out, colored peppers will also be in short supply.

Potato – Markets remain unchanged as there are lots of high-quality potatoes coming out of storage from all regions. But, February is Potato Lover’s Month. Feature these bargains wherever you can.

Strawberries – Post holiday demand is sluggish for strawberries and prices fell hard. This is a great time to feature them on your menus. Great quality at a great price.

Tomatoes – The nationwide cold that we had last week has changed the plentiful tomato market seemingly overnight. Prices are much higher with the shorter supplies. Smaller grape and mixed colored baby tomatoes are particularly tight.

My wife saw me on the bathroom scale sucking in my stomach. She said “That’s not going to work.” I said “That’s the only way I can see the numbers.”

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Weekly News Archive

Celery Stalks and Cut Celery Sticks - Celery Was super-tight and spendy through the spring and early summer,

Produce Supply Update March 9th, 2026 Good Morning! Broccoli – Is settling back down after a couple of rough weeks. Supplies are still low, but demand fell off at the higher pricing and that drove markets down. Cabbage – Is in great supply from Florida fields. We’ll see increased demand going into St. Patrick’s Day which may cause pricing to ease upward. We have savoy cabbage on hand if you’d like to change things up a bit. Celery – I’ve never seen a market like this that stayed this high for this long. The farmers out west planted a lot less acreage, creating a shortage that has lasted since October. Prices are still strong and will remain that way until more fields are changed over to celery. Corn – Last week’s freezing temperatures in the Southeast really set back the crop. Supplies are very limited and pricing is VERY high. Lettuce – California pricing came way off this week as demand slowed at last week’s higher pricing levels. Onions – Mexico is trying to start their new crop. There are still plenty of storage onions on hand, so the transition should be a smooth one except for the actions of the cartels down there. Strawberries – Florida’s thermometer turned cold and the strawberry machines turned off. Fortunately, our local grower is pumping them out with the pretty days we’ve been having and he’s expecting a great season. Tomatoes – The nationwide cold that we had last week has changed the plentiful tomato market seemingly overnight. Prices are much higher with the shorter supplies. Roma tomatoes which primarily grow in Mexico are particularly tight. Florida / Mexican products: During our winter, we rely heavily on Mexican imports for a lot of vegetables. Their production usually offsets the shortages from Florida this time of year with cold weather limiting Florida’s harvests. The cold temps in Florida last week shut down their harvesting and threw a lot of demand on Mexican farmers all of the sudden. However, Mexico has had the cartel issues for the past couple of weeks, coupled with their own weather conditions and limited harvesting. As a result, most things that come from those areas are Extremely limited this week and it may be April before we see long term improvements. The most effected items are peppers, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes. Bear with us for a little while and we should see some improvements as the weather continues to warm. I went to Starbucks and the barista was wearing a face mask. I asked “Why are you wearing a surgical mask?” She said “I’m not. It’s a coughy filter.”

Cabbages

Good Morning! Broccoli – Is settling back down after a couple of rough weeks. Supplies are still low, but demand fell off at the higher pricing and that drove markets down. Cabbage – Is in great supply from Florida fields. We’ll see increased demand going into St. Patrick’s Day which may cause pricing to ease upward. We have savoy cabbage on hand if you’d like to change things up a bit. Celery – I’ve never seen a market like this that stayed this high for this long. The farmers out west planted a lot less acreage, creating a shortage that has lasted since October. Prices are still strong and will remain that way until more fields are changed over to celery. Corn – Last week’s freezing temperatures in the Southeast really set back the crop. Supplies are very limited and pricing is very high. Lettuce – California pricing came way off this week as demand slowed at last week’s higher pricing levels. Onions – Mexico is trying to start their new crop. There are still plenty of storage onions on hand, so the transition should be a smooth one except for the actions of the cartels down there. Peppers – The freeze from 2 weeks ago in Florida caused some havoc in the pepper world. It ruined the fruit on the vine, so farmers had to wait for the plants to regrow their peppers, creating a shortage. Red, yellow, and orange peppers start out as green peppers, so until the green pepper deal gets sorted out, colored peppers remain in short supply. Strawberries – Florida has plenty of high quality, low cost berries and our local farmers are starting to ease into their season. Tomatoes – The nationwide cold that we had last week has changed the plentiful tomato market seemingly overnight. Prices are much higher with the shorter supplies. Roma tomatoes which primarily grow in Mexico are particularly tight. Special Note on Mexico: During our winter, we rely heavily on Mexican imports for a lot of vegetables. With the upheaval in Mexico by the cartels following the death of their leader, many aspects of their agriculture industry have been impacted. Harvesters can’t get to work, packing houses can’t get enough employees to come in, and the freight industry has been hit by the impromptu roadblocks. Commodities hit hardest are berries, tomatoes, limes, mangos, and the onion season that they’re trying to get started. Hopefully we’ll be past this soon and back to normal. Q: What kind of medical condition causes wrinkled clothes? A: An iron deficiency.

Green Peppers; with the higher pricing of green peppers, farmers will elect to pick them green rather than waiting for them to ripen to yellow or red

Good Morning! Beans – The 3 day freeze in Florida wiped out the bean crop and prices went through the roof. Work them closely and we should be out of this market soon. Broccoli – Is settling back down after a couple of rough weeks. Supplies are still low, but demand fell off at the higher pricing and that drove markets down. Cabbage – Is in great supply from Florida fields. We’ll see increased demand going into St. Patrick’s Day which may cause pricing to ease upward. We have savoy cabbage on hand if you’d like to change things up a bit. Celery – I’ve never seen a market like this that stayed this high for this long. The farmers out west planted a lot less acreage, creating a shortage that has lasted since October. Prices are still strong and will remain that way until more fields are changed over to celery. Corn – Last week’s freezing temperatures in the Southeast really set back the crop. Supplies are very limited and pricing is very high. Lettuce – Markets quickly climbed last week, just as we warned about. This shortage should last another month. Expect prices to yo-yo as the forces of supply and demand do battle. Prices will rise, people will take it off the menu, they’ll go back down, people will put it back on the menu and they’ll go back up. Peppers – Last week’s freeze in Florida caused some havoc in the pepper world. It ruined the fruit on the vine, so farmers had to wait for the plants to regrow their peppers, creating a shortage. Red, yellow, and orange peppers start out as green peppers, so until the green pepper deal gets sorted out, colored peppers will also be in short supply. Potato – Markets remain unchanged as there are lots of high-quality potatoes coming out of storage from all regions. But, February is Potato Lover’s Month. Feature these bargains wherever you can. Strawberries – Post holiday demand is sluggish for strawberries and prices fell hard. This is a great time to feature them on your menus. Great quality at a great price. Tomatoes – The nationwide cold that we had last week has changed the plentiful tomato market seemingly overnight. Prices are much higher with the shorter supplies. Smaller grape and mixed colored baby tomatoes are particularly tight. My wife saw me on the bathroom scale sucking in my stomach. She said “That’s not going to work.” I said “That’s the only way I can see the numbers.”

Celery Stalks and Cut Celery Sticks - Celery Was super-tight and spendy through the spring and early summer,

Good Morning! Apples – As we enter February, the crop continues to get smaller. The latest storage report is showing that inventories are lower on many varieties for this time of year than the same time last year. As a result, we are seeing a rising market on many varieties, sizes, and packs, and this trend is expected to continue for at least the next couple of months. The most significant item that is down this year is the Gala apples. Asparagus – Peru continues to offer good volume from the north region, with field transitions in place to ensure availability through mid- February and cover all Valentine’s Day needs. Broccoli and Cabbage – Cold temperatures and freezing weekend weather across much of the Southeast is driving up pricing. Mexican supply remains tight and Florida supply is struggling in the wake of the freezing temperatures. Product will likely remain tight for the next couple of weeks. Celery – Celery supplies will be limited over the next few weeks as the market has remained firm due to reduced industry acreage. Demand remains moderate, but lower overall supplies are supporting the market. Corn – The past weekend brought freezing temperatures into the Southeast. Florida farmers are currently still assessing their crop for quality and freeze damage. Thankfully demand is sluggish this time of year, keeping the market down. Lettuce – Product is experiencing lighter than normal weights and is expected to continue this week and next due to recent weather disruptions. Abnormal seasonal conditions have accelerated harvest schedules, resulting in reduced yields—projected to be down 35% or more industry wide. As supplies tighten, markets have begun to trend higher. Despite lighter yields, quality remains strong. Strawberries – The cold weather slowed down strawberry production, and pricing is climbing in anticipation of typical heavy Valentine’s Day demand. Tomatoes – The nationwide cold that we had last week has changed the plentiful tomato market seemingly overnight. Prices are much higher with the shorter supplies. Smaller grape and mixed colored baby tomatoes are particularly tight. Q: Why did the banana go to the doctor? A: It wasn’t peeling well.

Florida’s corn season finally cranked back up and prices are way down this week.

Good Morning! Apples – As we work our way through the beginning of a new year, we have a few less apples in storage than we expected a couple of months ago. The latest storage report is showing that inventories are lower on many varieties for this time of year than the same time last year. As a result, we are seeing a rising market on many varieties, sizes, and packs, and this trend is expected to continue for at least the next couple of months. Asparagus – Peru continues to offer good volume from the north region, with field transitions in place to ensure availability through mid- February and cover all Valentine’s Day needs. Broccoli – Tightened up drastically last week as the cold weather shut down growth. Prices are higher as everyone is looking for product. Celery – Supplies of celery remain extremely limited but are improving each week. The market has stayed very active with strong demand even after the holidays. It does seem to be easing down, but no where near normal levels yet. Corn – Sweet corn in Florida is very limited and pricing remains high. As we move into more wintery weather, pricing will likely remain high, and volumes will be limited. Lettuce – Production is experiencing disruption due to recent cold and rainy weather. Harvest crews out west are working diligently to procure solid quality in each carton, but their work has been cut out for them. Spinach and all other leaf items have been a struggle for the past couple of weeks. Potatoes – There are excellent supplies of high-quality potatoes coming out of storage in multiple regions. This is true of reds, yellows, and russets. Demand typically drops off as we get into the new year, as many consumers are looking for low-carb options. The low demand and large volumes make for an excellent buying opportunity and promotional period. Strawberries – The cold weather slowed down strawberry production, and pricing is climbing in anticipation of typical heavy Valentine’s Day demand. Tomatoes – The nationwide cold that we had last week has changed the plentiful tomato market seemingly overnight. Prices are much higher with the shorter supplies. Q: Why did the snowman look through a bag of carrots? A: He was picking his nose.

Apples – They are now in the last days of harvest on this new crop of apples.

Good Morning! Apples – As we work our way through the beginning of a new year, we have a few less apples in storage than we expected a couple of months ago. The latest storage report is showing that inventories are lower on many varieties for this time of year than the same time last year. As a result, we are seeing a rising market on many varieties, sizes, and packs, and this trend is expected to continue for at least the next couple of months. Asparagus – Good volume and excellent quality heading into Valentine’s Day. Broccoli and Cabbage– Georgia is seasonally winding their broccoli season down and Florida will wrap up early with the chilly weather this week. We’ll be moving back to the west coast soon. Cabbage has just about wrapped up in Georgia. New crop from Florida is up and running. Supply is abundant with good quality. Celery – Supplies of celery remain extremely limited but are improving each week. The market is very active with strong demand through the holidays. Quality is good overall and expected to progress into January. I haven’t seen a market like this before now. Corn – Sweet corn in Florida is very limited and pricing remains high. As we move into more wintery weather, pricing will likely remain high, and volumes will be limited. Lettuce – Production is experiencing disruption due to recent cold and rainy weather. Harvest crews out west are working diligently to procure solid quality in each carton, but their work has been cut out for them. Spinach and all other leaf items have been a struggle for the past couple of weeks. Melons – Have gotten tighter since the end of Mexico’s season, and the transition from Guatemala to Honduras is currently going on, making for shortages and higher pricing. Potatoes – There are excellent supplies of high-quality potatoes coming out of storage in multiple regions. This is true of reds, yellows, and russets. Demand typically drops off as we get into the new year, as many consumers are looking for low-carb options. The low demand and large volumes make for an excellent buying opportunity and promotional period. Strawberries – The cold weather we’re expecting this coming week will slow down strawberry production, and pricing is climbing in anticipation. Hopefully they’ll rebound before Valentine’s. People often say that “icy” is the easiest word to spell. Looking at it now, I see why.

After Valentine’s Day strawberry prices should fall

Good Morning! Asparagus – The holiday pull is over and things are settling back into normal. We should have good supply for the next month and then we’ll start seeing new fields from Mexico begin. Broccoli and Cabbage– We’re still getting good supplies of nice product out of Georgia and very good pricing. When they finish in a nother couple of weeks, we’ll move west again. Cabbage continues locally and in the south. Celery – Supplies of celery remain extremely limited but are improving each week. The market is very active with strong demand through the holidays. Quality is good overall and expected to progress into January. I haven’t seen a market like this before now. Corn – Sweet corn in Florida is very limited and pricing remains high. As we move into more wintery weather, pricing will likely remain high, and volumes will be limited. Lettuce – Production is experiencing disruption due to recent cold and rainy weather. Harvest crews out west are working diligently to procure solid quality in each carton, but their work has been cut out for them. Spinach and all other leaf items have been a struggle for the past couple of weeks. Melons – Have gotten tighter since the end of Mexico’s season, and the transition from Guatemala to Honduras is currently going on, making for shortages and higher pricing. Potatoes – There are excellent supplies of high-quality potatoes coming out of storage in multiple regions. This is true of reds, yellows, and russets. Demand typically drops off as we get into the new year, as many consumers are looking for low-carb options. The low demand and large volumes make for an excellent buying opportunity and promotional period. Strawberries – California: Due to substantial rains in the Santa Maria and Oxnard, California growing regions, the shippers have been stripping the fruit and sending it to juicers and freezers. This week, they are continuing to assess the damage. With several inches of standing water in the fields, some shippers may not resume harvest until hopefully next week, and then at limited quantitites. Florida is producing good quantities of nice berries. Our local farmer is still bringing a few to market when the sun is out enough to let the berries grow. With just a couple of weeks before Valentine’s Day, we may see short supplies. Q: Why was the carrot such a big deal? A: He was outstanding in his field.

Local Produce – Many items were just getting cranked up last week until the rains shut down production.

Good Morning! Asparagus – The holiday pull is over and things are settling back into normal. We should have good supply for the next month and then we’ll start seeing new fields from Mexico begin. Broccoli and Cabbage– Though our local broccoli deal has finished, we’re still getting good supplies of nice product out of Georgia and very good pricing. When they finish in a nother couple of weeks, we’ll move west again. Cabbage continues locally. Celery – Supplies of celery remain extremely limited but are improving each week. The market is very active with strong demand through the holidays. Quality is good overall and expected to progress into January. I haven’t seen a market like this before now. Corn – Sweet corn in Florida is very limited and pricing remains high. As we move into more wintery weather, pricing will likely remain high, and volumes will be limited. Cucumbers, Peppers, and Squash – Florida is cranking out serious volumes now with gorgeous quality. Mexico is also going strong. Heavy harvests are keeping markets low. Grapes – We’ve made the switch to South American grapes in order to stay in good quality. California has finished their season and shipping from storage that are not as fresh as what’s coming from Chile and Peru currently. Lettuce – Production is experiencing disruption due to recent cold and rainy weather. Harvest crews out west are working diligently to procure solid quality in each carton, but their work has been cut out for them. Overall quality of the crop is improving each day. Markets have begun to adjust as Mexico improves in volume and quality. Melons – Have gotten tighter since the end of Mexico’s season, and the transition from Guatemala to Honduras is currently going on, making for shortages and higher pricing. Potatoes – There are excellent supplies of high-quality potatoes coming out of storage in multiple regions. This is true of reds, yellows, and russets. Demand typically drops off as we get into the new year, as many consumers are looking for low-carb options. The low demand and large volumes make for an excellent buying opportunity and promotional period. Strawberries – Heavy rains have taken California out as a player on strawberries. Florida is producing good quantities of nice berries at a good price. Our local farmer is still bringing them to market when the sun is out enough to let the berries grow. How big is a man’s hand? 11.5 inches. Any larger and it would be a foot.

apples

Happy New Year! Apples – The apple harvest has now been completed, and the weather remained favorable for the entire harvest. This means that the growers got all the apples off the trees this year before the freezing temperatures set in. The crop is now being reported to be around 135 million cases this year which makes it an above- average crop. Broccoli and Cabbage– After a little warm up, local broccoli is back and it’s been gorgeous and very favorably priced. Cabbage continues in good volumes. Celery – Is still kinda crazy and extremely short. We’re hoping that this will change now that we’re past the holidays and demand will return to normal. Citrus – California has switched over to their navel season and pricing is much better. Florida has begun their season too and we should see grapefruit from there very soon. Cucumbers, Peppers, and Squash – Florida is cranking out serious volumes now with gorgeous quality. Mexico is also going strong. Heavy harvests are keeping markets low. Grapes – We’ve made the switch to South American grapes in order to stay in good quality. California has finished their season and shipping from storage that are not as fresh as what’s coming from Chile and Peru currently. Lettuce – The young fields in Yuma are seeing some disruption due to recent weather events, resulting in reduced yields while reducing available quality product to harvest. Markets have begun to find lower levels in connection with the newfound supply and quality available. Quality has been nice for what is available; although, we have lighter than normal weights. Potatoes – Packing houses are now coasting after the busy holiday pull. Supplies are solid and markets remain stable on all varieties of potatoes. We expect to see demand fall off as consumers look for low carb alternatives to bring in the new year. Strawberries – Heavy rains have taken California out as a player on strawberries. Florida is producing good quantities of nice berries at a good price. Our local farmer is still bringing them to market when the sun is out enough to let the berries grow. I once knew a baker with red hair. He was a ginger bread man.

Holiday Cornucopia

Produce Supply Update December 25th, 2025 We wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for your business! Have a Great Week!

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