Mostly favorable growing conditions for leaf and lettuce items have helped produce some good-quality crops from California this summer, grower-shippers say.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Dole Food Co., which grows about 80% of its leaf and lettuce items in California at this time of year, has implemented strict COVID-19 safety protocols.
California’s 2020 avocado harvest is expected to reach nearly 400 million pounds — almost an 85% increase over last year, according to the Irvine-based California Avocado Commission.
Salinas, Calif.-based Church Brothers Farms has “worked tirelessly” to expand its retail line of Green Giant Fresh products, said Rick Russo, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
Salinas, Calif.-based The Nunes Co., which markets the Foxy and Foxy Organic brands, has transitioned most of its organic crops to Yerington, Nev., for the summer, said sales manager Johnny Amaral.
As California leaf and lettuce grower-shippers adapt to a new way of doing business as a result of COVID-19, the effect of the pandemic on sales has varied.
Hass Avocado Board is creating awareness for research into the role avocados play in promoting good gut health and expanding access to its Avocado Quality Manual Guide to Best Practices.
There’s good news for fans of organic avocados — and those who market them. Supplies out of Mexico should be plentiful this season, and prices should be reasonable.
There might be a gap for some fall/winter items between the end of production in Salinas, Calif., and the transition to the desert growing areas, but buyers likely will be pleased with the quality out of the desert.
