Warm weather in California’s Salinas Valley, as well as throughout the nation, has led to a demand-exceeds-supply situation with iceberg lettuce driving that market to $20 f.o.b., and bringing other items along with it.

Marketers of fresh produce are creatively crafting campaigns designed to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among children.

In announcing the new senior executives on his marketing and retail promotion teams, Avocados From Mexico Chief Executive Officer Tim O'Connor said the organization is well poised to move forward and develop some exciting new programs.

Recent weather events that have decreased sweet potato inventories combined with strong demand on the domestic and export markets should bolster prices for sweet potato growers this year, according to industry members.

“We have begun shipping what will be a bountiful blueberry season out of British Columbia,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Pompano Beach, FL-based Southern Specialties, told The Produce News in mid-July. “We have been shipping blueberries from this region for over 10 years. They are available under the ‘Southern Selects’ label in full pint and 18-ounce clamshells.” 

Sales agents at longtime Colorado broker Ringer & Son are reporting mixed conditions for some of the state’s most popular produce crops. Sweet corn will come in late but should bring volume similar to past years; peaches are down considerably due to early freezes; and Rocky Ford cantaloupe is up 20 to 30 percent over 2012.

According to Ringer President Joshua Johnson, growers Mike Ahlberg and sons, Zach and Scott, will start harvesting famed Olathe-area sweet corn from 600-plus acres near Delta, CO, around July 20, and loads will continue to go out through mid-September.