Week 2, 2023

Greens & Lettuces

Florida fresh Organic Greens are in peak season as the Punta Gorda area continues to have strong supplies of Organic Kales, Collards, and Dandelions—ideal for healthy eating promotions. Organic Lettuces are in stronger supply after an extended period of supply gaps, paired with record breaking prices. Florida's crop is in peak production with strong supplies of Organic Romaine, Red Leaf, and Green Leaf Lettuce. West Coast desert growing regions are flourishing as well with strong volume and falling prices. Organic Romaine Hearts and Organic Iceberg Lettuces have shown improvement. Organic Romaine Hearts will be promotable for mid-January, with steady supplies of excellent product.

Peppers

Organic Green Bell Peppers will yield consistent volume in January as quality and availability from Florida remain strong. Organic Color Bell Peppers from both Mexico and Israel are in strong supply with outstanding quality. Pricing has gradually improved in the new year, with promotional opportunities from Mexico available. Packaged Organic Bell Pepper production has ramped up out of Mexico with nice quality Fair-Trade product. These UPC’d 12/2ct packs are available in OG Green, Red, and Red/Yellow configurations.

Apples & Pears

Excellent quality and promotional opportunities of Northwest pears are now available. Northwest Organic Bartlett Pears are done for the season; however Organic Red Anjou, Green Anjou, Concord, and Bosc Pears show steady supplies and outstanding quality. Organic Apple packing is sporadic as shippers deal with winter logistics issues and lighter controlled atmosphere storage supplies. Ambrosia, Autumn Glory, Braeburn, Cosmic Crisp, Envy, Fuji, Gala, Gold Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jazz, Kanzi, Lady Alice, Opal, Pinata, Pink Lady, Rocket, and SugarBee varieties are now available.

Tropicals

Organic Hass Avocados are in good supply as we start the new year, with Kent variety Organic Mangos readily available from Peru. Container delays have caused minor gaps in fruit, but supplies will be good over the next few weeks. Organic Fair Trade Royal Star Papayas out of Mexico are in good supply while Organic Pineapple production from Costa Rica has been limited due to start the new year. 6ct, 7ct, and 8ct sizing is available.

Specialty

Florida grown specialties items available in early January include OG Yucca Root, OG Black Sapote, OG Sapodilla, OG Starfruit, OG Eggfruit (Canistel), OG Mamey, and OG Jackfruit. Also available from California are OG Feijoa, OG Passion Fruit, and OG Kiwano Melons.

Warm Veg

Organic Eggplant continues to yield consistent volume from Florida. Quality, availability, and pricing should be strong throughout January. Organic Cucumbers, Zucchini, and Yellow Squash from Mexico remain in steady supply, with pricing expected to increase gradually throughout the month.

Squash

Organic Hard Squash will be in good supply through March, with new crop coming from Mexico. Organic Acorn, Spaghetti, and Kabocha Squash will be the most plentiful varieties. Organic Delicata Squash and Organic Butternut Squash will be limited on the larger retail sizes for January but will improve for February and March.

Citrus

Organic Mandarins are in decent supply, but loading could be hampered by the rain California is getting to start the year. 56s and smaller Organic Navel Orange supplies should stay strong, while 48s and larger fruit have been significantly impacted by the rains. Organic Blood Oranges are almost nonexistent with any fruit available being very small (138ct and smaller). Organic Cara Cara Oranges are in good shape on large and value size despite the rain. Prices remain firm. Supplies are fair on Organic Grapefruit and Pummelos for early January, but mid-January might be a different story due to the rain. Organic Lemons are coming from Northern and Southern California, with heavy demand for the southern fruit driving pricing upward. Supplies should be firm but available.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli and Cauliflower have experienced better harvest yields in January, and pricing will begin to ease down this week. Quality has been ideal from shippers in the desert growing regions of El Centro and Yuma, AZ. Promotional opportunities on both Organic Broccoli and Cauliflower are expected for late January. In February, the harvest flush is expected to decline, and prices will go back up.