EDINBURG, TX – It’s that time of year again when eating healthy is on everyone’s mind, as the New Year offers the perfect time to start anew. And for those looking for something fresh and leafy to satisfy hunger cravings, greens hailing from the Lone Star State are a nutritionally rich option, delicious cooked or raw, that are in season and taking on the grocery aisle.
I caught up with Little Bear Produce’s Jeff Brechler to chat about the current Texas greens season.
“We’re currently a solid two months into the season, which means we’re about one-third of the way through our vegetable production in Texas,” Jeff tells me. “Quality has been above average despite the few bouts of weather that has primarily affected growth. But markets are good and active, and we’re expecting a spike both in market and demand due to weather affecting other growing regions.”
Between the California fires and the southeastern storms, weather has given everyone quite the time across the United States, Texas included, as they continue to face frequent freezes and its second snowfall of two to four inches in the past 114 years. But, despite these challenges, Jeff notes that sales dollars are up this year over last.
“It’s been a wild ride this year,” Jeff shares. “November and December are cooler in temperature, and slow growth of product has manifested as a result. While we are ahead of ourselves harvest-wise, the slow growth is starting to affect our yield. We’re having to harvest when the plant is much younger. However, given that sales dollars are up this year, and the lower yields indicate stronger pricing.”
With months left in the season, Texas greens’ presence on grocery shelves is far from over. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more crop and market updates.
