FRESNO, CA - Offering an inside look at a variety of programs, Jay Angulo of Baloian Farms took me through the growers’ loading operations in both Thermal, California, and Nogales, Arizona. Let’s dive in.
“As we close in on the finish line to our Romaine, Romaine Hearts, green leaf, red leaf, spinach, and cauliflower, quality is excellent,” the Wet Veg Commodity Manager told me. “These last plantings of leaf and Romaine are on par with some of our best of the season and will carry us right up to the Easter holiday.”
Jay also noted that steady production on white, tight heads of cauliflower will continue into early April too. Brussels sprouts are also available in jumbo, large, and medium sizing with consistent sizing and quality.
“These are always a must-have as spring approaches and consumers look for them around the holiday,” Jay remarked. “Coachella Valley is also known for producing exceptional quality spinach, and our spinach will not disappoint.”
As Baloian Farms finishes off its wet veg programs, the supplier ushers in a transition to the spring season, offering Coachella Valley-grown green bells in April, followed by red peppers in May.
“This is an anticipated transition that kicks off our California growing seasons for the rest of the year,” Jay added. And speaking of transitions, production in Mexico continues for green bell peppers, elongated red peppers, and blocky 11# red, yellow, and orange peppers.
“However, we’re expecting green bell supplies and markets to remain tight for the foreseeable future as we creep closer and closer to transition time. We will see good supplies of red bells for the next couple of weeks, superb quality with the delicious red color that buyers expect,” Jay emphasized. “In the coming weeks, we’ll have new fields of hard squash, Acorn, Spaghetti, Butternut, and Kabocha come on line. We’re also starting new fields of cucumbers soon that will help us stay supplied through the spring.”
A wide array of programs to keep an eye out for, buyers! Keep reading us here at AndNowUKnow as we continue to keep you in the loop on all things fresh.
