SALINAS, CA - With the last tendrils of summer heat waning and cooler temperatures settling in, Church Brothers is transitioning its iceberg lettuce to Yuma, Arizona despite ongoing harvest in Salinas and Huron, California. Church Brothers Farms’ Manager of Commodities, Jason Lathos, tells me we can expect an overlap between Salinas, Huron, and Yuma harvests. As a result, he expects a seamless transition as Church Brothers gears up for the Thanksgiving demand.
“The weather has been a roller coaster this year,” Jason Lathos says. “Last week it was 90 degrees, while this weekend is expected to be 60 degrees. You look at history and numbers, and you can always count on a 15-20% boost in demand for Thanksgiving. The weather might throw a wrench in it, but so far everything seems to be on schedule for a smooth transition.”
Some areas are on their last legs after starting behind schedule due to Mother Nature and cooler desert temperatures. Salinas currently has some iceberg and romaine while Church Brothers gears up to kick off harvest season in Yuma before this weekend.
“The Northeast just finished, so we may see an increase in lettuce demand from that region,” Jason shares. “I foresee lettuce and leaf still being fairly good. We’re also thinking there is going to be an increase in demand for the cold weather crops. When you identify the Thanksgiving pull, you identify celery, broccoli, and cauliflower. Even though I think there is an overlap transition coming, I’m optimistic that the cold weather crop demand is going to be pretty good through the transition.”
Church Brothers expects to move completely out of Huron and into Yuma by November 17th, and will be open for business and shipping by the 20th, just in time for a 15-20% increase in demand Jason says can typically be attributed to an active market for the Thanksgiving pull.
For more produce industry news, AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest and greatest in the run up to the holidays.
