November kicks off Arizona lettuce and leafy greens harvest and celebration

Arizona’s Governor Ducey has proclaimed November 2021 as Arizona Leafy Greens month.

Through this proclamation he called upon all residents to recognize the Arizona leafy greens industry during the month of November for consistently producing an abundance of nutritious and safe leafy greens.

Arizona is known as the winter lettuce capital of the US providing Americans with an abundance of lettuce and leafy greens from November to March. According to United States Department of Agriculture statistics Arizona farmers grow approximately 25% of the total U.S. lettuce supply each year. The mild desert climate allows for leafy greens farming in Arizona for only five months out of the year, making their contribution to the nation’s lettuce supply substantial in the winter months.

Leafy greens farming in Arizona is big business that involves the work of many family farms. On an annual basis the leafy greens farming community in Arizona generates a $2 billion impact. Perhaps most importantly, Arizona farmers are committed to growing and harvesting safe lettuce and leafy greens through the Arizona LGMA food safety certification program.

During the month of November, the leafy greens farming community will be celebrating through a variety of outreach activity on social media. Food influencer Diana Brandt, aka the Arizona Foodie, will visit a lettuce farm to highlight the contributions of Arizona agriculture for her more than 150,000 followers. Farmer influencer Jon Dinsmore will takeover Arizona LGMA’s social feeds to help people see the farming aspect of Arizona leafy greens. And throughout the month there will be contests and giveaways on the organization’s Instagram and Facebook channels.