<p>As retailers gear up for <b>Cinco de Mayo</b> and <b>Memorial Day</b>, the popular bell pepper category will have ample supplies for the summer holiday season. Warm weather has sped up the crops’ growth cycle this year in Coachella, by about 7-8 days in some areas.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Mike Aiton of Prime Time, tells AndNowUKnow, “Because the crops are ahead of schedule in California, there will be promotable volumes of bell peppers earlier in the season. For us, <b>we will actually have nice supplies</b> for Cinco de Mayo and 4th of July with a significant peak around Memorial Day. “</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Next week Prime Time will begin harvesting <b>sweet white, yellow and multi-colored corn</b> as well as <b>watermelons</b> to supplement the summer favorites. A growing favorite are <b>mini sweet peppers</b>, which have become a popular option for consumers in the category, Aiton tells us. Bell peppers are presenting large sizes and great appearance.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“It’s going to be a banner year for Coachella produce,” according to Aiton. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Sun World is also harvesting <b>sweet & mild LE ROUGE ROYALE</b> and <b>LE JAUNE ROYALE red and yellow peppers</b> in Coachella in 15# & 25# cartons. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Mignon Marlow, Pepper Category Lead, Sun World, tells us that the <b>current market is steady on pricing</b>.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">While supplies are still coming out of Baja, Mexico is winding down making it a good opportunity to look to California for field grown peppers.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The company has slightly increased acreage on yellow peppers in Coachella and will continue to have Sun World’s bin pepper program during peak volume periods. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Industry wide, there is a <b>steady water supply in Coachella</b> and Sun World has ample water supplies and will not be affected by the drought in any of our growing regions,” Marlow notes.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Prime Time is currently harvesting green bell peppers in Coachella Valley, California with <b>good availability and quality</b>. The company is growing red and yellow peppers in La Paz as well, shipping out of San Diego and will be transitioning from La Paz to Coachella in approximately the next 9 – 10 days. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Additionally, Prime Time is also promoting peppers in Coachella, including <b>Anahiems, Jalapenos</b>, and <b>Red Fresnos</b> with supplies available to spice up the Cinco de Mayo spread. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Heat may play a role in the length of the season for Prime Time along with other growers in Coachella, but currently peppers are slated to wrap up at the end of June for the company, with corn and melons finishing up after Memorial Day.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>BBQ season is upon us. Get ready to grill some of these summer holiday favorites.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
