Squash and cucumbers remain items New York growers ship in significant numbers. The growers also ship lesser volumes of bell peppers and eggplant.
Spring rains aren’t expected to delay New York’s squash crop. Growers say this season’s shipments should start close to on time in mid-July.
“So far, it looks well,” said Jason Turek, partner in Turek Farms, King Ferry, N.Y.
“That which has come up looks like it’s doing well.”
Turek said he plans to start shipments in mid-July.
Dave Walczak, sales and operations manager of Eden Valley Growers, Eden, N.Y., said the grower-shipper planned to start with light volume in early July, behind the normal late June and early July start.
Walczak said he expected Eden Valley to hit volume by the second and third week of July.
“The squash looks well,” he said in mid-June.
“The early squash is a little smaller but it will get there.”
Torrey Farms Inc., Elba, N.Y., plans to start July 19, a little later than the normal mid-July start, said Maureen Marshall, vice president.
“The fields are growing,” she said in mid-June. “We did well last season.”
The transition from New York to Georgia’s early fall deal usually works well with Georgia beginning its squash in late September as New York finishes, Marshall said.
On July 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported ½-bushel and 5/9-bushel cartons zucchini small from south Georgia selling for $12.35-12.85 with mediums at $10.35-12.85.
Small yellow crookneck squash sold for $10.35-12.85 with mediums at $6.35-7.85.
Last year in early July, the USDA reported ½-bushel and 5/9-bushel cartons of zucchini small from the Eastern Shore of Virginia selling for $6-7 with mediums at $4-5, and cartons of yellow straightneck smalls at $10 with mediums at $8.
Torrey Farms plans to begin cucumber harvesting July 25, a couple of weeks later than its normal mid-July start, Marshall said.
“They’re up and they’re growing,” she said in mid-June.
Marshall said numerous other growing regions such as Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio and Canada going simultaneously can make the deal challenging.
Marshall said last season was strong for New York cucumbers.
James J. Piedimonte & Sons Inc. & Anthony J. Piedimonte/Cabbco, Holley, N.Y. — the northern marketing division of Wimauma, Fla.-based Wm. P. Hearne Produce Co. LLC — normally begins harvesting in late July.
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