SALINAS CA - Transition insights await you, industry friends! Duda Farm Fresh Foods is starting 2024 on a strong foot, wielding its robust portfolio to satisfy a variety of retail demands. To get the latest details on the grower’s current production, I tapped Rick Alcocer, Senior Vice President of Fresh Sales.
“The first harvest of Florida celery started in late December,” Rick shared with me shortly ahead of the holidays. “This transition is the kickoff of our winter celery season in Belle Glade. Oxnard, California, celery will be in production through the summer. Broccoli and cauliflower just completed the transition from Salinas, CA, to Yuma, Arizona, while Iceberg and leaf lettuces have transitioned from California to both our Yuma and Florida locations.”
As the grower reports, production volumes are currently consistent with what was planned, with good quality showing throughout. With the typical uptick in demand during the holiday season and through January, supplies have been snug, with the market slightly above average.
Rick also explained that the West Coast will have promotional volumes with great quality as we kick off 2024, with Florida also expecting normal volumes and good quality.
“Belle Glade weather has been excellent for celery production, with colder mornings and mild afternoons,” Rick continued. “Mild growing conditions in Yuma have moved production for conventional celery ahead of schedule. Overall, all crops are responding well to current weather patterns, and harvest for each is on track with dates predicted during planting.”
The supplier also pulled back the curtain on a few useful merchandising strategies.
“In a recent Duda Farm Fresh Foods Consumer Survey, when asked about their favorite foods to pair with celery, Peanut Butter and Ranch Dressing were the top responses,” noted Rick. “Cross-promoting these two items with celery either online or in-store is an effective way to make snacking solutions easier for shoppers.”
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