Fresh Alliance

We are excited to share this week's Fresh Fruit & Veg Feature with you: Pears!! Seasonal Availability: ? Pears are primarily harvested from late summer through fall, with peak season running from August to October. ? They grow well in temperate climates with cool winters and warm summers. ? Major producers include China, the United States, Argentina, and Italy, ensuring a steady global supply during peak seasons. Nutritional Benefits: ? Pears are a good source of dietary fiber, aiding digestion and promoting gut health. ? They provide essential vitamins, including vitamin C and K, along with antioxidants that help combat inflammation. ? Low in calories and fat, pears are a nutritious option for heart health and weight management. Culinary and Global Production: ? Pears are versatile, enjoyed raw or used in baked goods, salads, jams, and sauces. ? Their sweet, mild flavor pairs well with both savory and sweet dishes, making them a popular ingredient in desserts and cheese platters. ? China leads global pear production, followed by the United States and Argentina, with a growing international demand for both fresh and processed pear products.

Market Report 11.21.2024 The impacts from Hurricane Helene and Milton are being felt across the entire Southeast; we continue to keep those in harm's way in our thoughts and prayers. We expect to see supply of fresh produce from South Georgia and Florida to be extremely volatile; in Florida it's too soon to assess all the damage to crops and infrastructure that were severely impacted. Commodities certain to be immediately impacted are the following: Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Soft Squash, Bell Pepper, Eggplant, Peanuts, Pecans, Mixed Hot Pepper, Greens, Cabbage, Strawberries and Green Beans, to name a few. As of today, we are seeing some growers reporting total losses and declaring Act of Gods, some growers are projecting to salvage less than 30% of their crops, and some will replant. We could see supply GAPS over the next several weeks on the West Coast as most of the offshore fruit on the front end of the season loads in the East. In the West, weather impacts and viral pressure have caused supply shortfalls across the region on all varieties. Transition is winding down and we are continuing to see short supplies and escalating markets. Between transition, the aftereffects of the heat and Diamondback moth, and now the cold weather moving in, Transition is going to continue to be rough. Lastly, with some growers still loading out of Salinas and Yuma, there will be transfer fees on some items with some growers. This is normal and happens each year during Transition. Please be aware that you may see some of these fees if you are loading in one location and not all the items have been transferred over to the new location yet. We have about a week to 10 days left before we are through Transition so, please just know that we are working with the growers and trying to get through this the best we can! While things will improve once we are in Yuma, we will still see some issues throughout December on some items. With Salinas ending early and growers having to pull sooner than expected from Yuma, it will take a little while until everyone is all caught up and back to regular business.

We wanted to recognize our partner, Manson Products Co. Their mission is to be Hawaii’s premier fresh produce distributor by delivering high-quality produce with the best service while fully committing to Food Safety. Primus Labs has certified Manson Products Co for over 10 years in food safety. Since 2015, Manson Products Co. has been Primus GFS Certified. Manson Product Co. goes through 2 to 3 food safety audits a year, with both third-party auditors and customer QA audits. Manson Product Co has a fleet of 15 refrigerated trucks servicing Hawaii. All of their trucks are precooled before being loaded, backed up to their dock shelters, and straight to their refrigerated dock to maintain the cold chain and protect the integrity of the product that Manson Product Co. delivers.

Market Report 11.14.2024 The impacts from Hurricane Helene and Milton are being felt across the entire Southeast. We expect to see supply of fresh produce from South Georgia and Florida to be extremely volatile. Commodities certain to be immediately impacted are the following: Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Soft Squash, Bell Pepper, Eggplant, Peanuts, Pecans, Mixed Hot Pepper, Greens, Cabbage, Strawberries and Green Beans, to name a few. As of today, we are seeing some growers reporting total losses and declaring Act of Gods, some growers are projecting to salvage less than 30% of their crops, and some will replant. Current table grape supply and demand out of California remain strong, however, supplies are diminishing quickly, and we could see supply GAPS over the next several weeks on the West Coast as most of the offshore fruit on the front end of the season loads in the East. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the West, tighter supply available to market on mushrooms; weather impacts and viral pressure have caused supply shortfalls across the region on all varieties. Guatemalan avocados have received regulatory approval for export to the United States. Broccoli is very tight and will be prorated. Endive, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated and look to remain that way through transition. Bok Choy, Kale and Artichokes have stayed at the extreme trigger. We have also added Romaine, Iceberg, Spinach, Spring Mix, Salad Mixes and Arugula to the Extreme trigger list. All of these items are all very light in supplies. Spring mix and spinach have suffered significantly lower yields due to a wide range of issues, including insect damage, mildew, external burn, leaf miner and thin texture. Broccolini is also still very tight, and most growers are continuing to hold to averages. Green cabbage will stay escalated through transition. Supplies will be very limited on all cabbage items. Lastly, with some growers loading out of Salinas and Yuma, there will be transfer fees on some items with some growers. This is normal and happens each year during transition.

Happy National Guacamole Day! To celebrate we wanted to recognize Westfalia Fruit. For over 75 years Westfalia Fruit has been a trusted supplier of avocados, fresh fruits, and plant-based products to international retail, foodservice, and wholesale customers. Westfalia Fruit sources their avocados from their own orchards and trusted partner orchards and expertly ripen and pack the fruit, guaranteeing year-round supply. Westfalia Fruit is recognized as the ‘Avo Expert’. In addition to the wide Westfalia Fruits range of avocado products, Westfalia Fruit supply other fresh produce including citrus, cherries, blueberries, & many others, to international markets. When you’re shopping for your avocados too make some guacamoles make sure to give Westfalia Fruit a try.

Market Alert: Transition and Shortages 11.11.2024 As we continue to dive into Transition, we want to keep you informed on current market conditions and prorates that are plaguing the industry. Some growers have already moved to Yuma and some are in the process of moving. We are seeing growers holding to strict averages on some items and other items are being severely prorated. Supplies will be significantly below customer demand and some items have extremely low industry supplies. We are asking for your understanding and your cooperation during this Transition time. The growers are doing their best to navigate the current market situation, but shortages and gaps will happen. Adverse weather at the tail end of the Salinas Valley season, along with heavy insect and plant disease pressure, created a gap in supplies. We will do everything we can to ensure you get covered to the best of the growers’ abilities. Shortages are to be expected for the next few weeks. Below is a list of some items most affected during this time: ? Broccoli ? Cauliflower ? Iceberg ? Romaine ? Cabbage ? Spinach ? Spring Mix ? Artichokes ? Arugula We appreciate your understanding and support. Our team is making every effort to work through Transition with our grower partners the best we can. We will continue to keep you updated through our weekly Market Report.

Market Report: 11.7.2024 The impacts from Hurricane Helene and Milton are being felt across the entire Southeast. We expect to see supply of fresh produce from South Georgia and Florida to be extremely volatile. Commodities certain to be immediately impacted are the following: Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Soft Squash, Bell Pepper, Eggplant, Peanuts, Pecans, Mixed Hot Pepper, Greens, Cabbage, Strawberries and Green Beans. The next 6 to 8 weeks will be incredibly challenging with record high pricing, poor quality and limited availability. Current table grape supply and demand out of California remain strong, however, supplies are diminishing quickly. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the West, tighter supply available to market on mushrooms. Lime volume is improving, but overall remains lighter than normal. Transition is in full swing and as predicted, we are seeing short supplies and escalating markets. The damage from the heat left lingering issues and we will feel those effects all the way through transition. Broccoli is very tight and will be prorated. While the heat negatively affected the broccoli market, the cold weather will now slow growth and make the market even worse. The weather in Yuma has been very hot, so some of the earlier crops in Yuma could be affected. Endive, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated and look to remain that way through transition. Bok Choy and artichokes have stayed at the extreme trigger and kale has also been added to the extreme trigger list. Artichokes will continue to be held to averages. Leeks, romaine, lettuce, spinach, spring mix, cauliflower and broccolini are all very light in supplies. Spring mix is now escalated. Some sizes on spinach took a big jump in price due to severe shortages. Broccolini is also still very tight, and most growers are continuing to hold to averages. Green cabbage will stay escalated through transition. Between transition, the aftereffects of the heat and Diamondback moth, and now the cold weather moving in, the next few weeks are going to be rough.

We are excited to share this week's Fresh Fruit & Veg Feature with you! This week, Pineapples!! Seasonal Availability: ? Pineapples are available year-round, with peak harvests typically occurring from March to July. ? They grow best in tropical climates with consistent warmth and rainfall. ? Major producers include Costa Rica, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, ensuring a steady global supply throughout the year. Nutritional Benefits: ? Rich in vitamin C, supporting immune health and skin care. ? Contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion and reduces inflammation. ? Low in calories and packed with antioxidants, helping to combat oxidative stress and promote overall health. Culinary and Global Production: ? Pineapples are versatile, used in both sweet and savory dishes, such as fruit salads, smoothies, grilled meats, and desserts. ? Their sweet, tropical flavor makes them a popular ingredient in juices, cocktails, and as a fresh snack. ? Costa Rica dominates global pineapple production, followed by the Philippines and Thailand, meeting the high demand in North America, Europe, and Asia for fresh fruit and pineapple-based products.

Market Alert: Increased Insect Pressure 11.6.2024 There has been an uptick in insect activity in broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower crops from the Salinas Valley in the late summer-early fall. An extended period of above-average temperatures has caused an increase in insect pressure and due to the limited number of pesticides that can be applied to control insect pressure, other mitigations must be put in place such as harvesting slower or moving the harvest crew to another location. The Diamondback moth and cabbage worms are two insects that have been present. Cabbageworms are the larvae (caterpillars) of cabbage butterflies and are not harmful to humans. However, they can damage cabbage plants. Insects are present every year during transition, and this is a normal occurrence. With the weather cooling down and growers moving to Yuma, this issue should be clearing up soon and insect intrusion should be decreasing by the end of the month. Temperature threshold: At what cooking temperatures do cabbage worms die off? Cooking temperatures in the range of 120°-140°F will kill insects, including the caterpillars in Brassica crops, in minutes. Rinsing and inspecting product is needed to ensure the effectiveness of the heat step, such as boiling (212°F) or steaming (internal product temperature ≥ 135°F). Removal strategies: Any best practices or methods for removing them? To clean properly, hold the broccoli by the stem and rinse under cool running water until clean. Or submerge broccoli in a bowl of cool water for 2-10 minutes. Then rinse the broccoli in a colander under running water. Timeline for improvement: When can we expect improvement based on shifts in growing regions? Transition, per our top contracted suppliers of broccoli, will be from 11/9 to 12/2.

Market Report 10.31.2024 The impacts from Hurricane Helene and Milton are being felt across the entire Southeast. We expect to see supply of fresh produce from South Georgia and Florida to be extremely volatile. Commodities certain to be immediately impacted are the following: Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Soft Squash, Bell Pepper, Eggplant, Peanuts, Pecans, Mixed Hot Pepper, Greens, Cabbage, Strawberries and Green Beans. As of today, we are seeing some growers reporting total losses and declaring Act of Gods, some growers are projecting to salvage less than 30% of their crops, and some will replant. Current table grape supply and demand out of California remain strong. Pineapples continue to be short, and shippers are asking to be flexible on sizing to navigate the shortfalls. In the West, tighter supply available to market on mushrooms. Lime volume is improving, but overall remains lighter than normal. The supply chain is gradually regaining the momentum lost due to last week’s rain market. Despite strong daily harvest figures, overall inventory levels in the US are on the decline. Overall avocado volumes from Mexico will be strong through Super Bowl, and increased promotional activity is encouraged. Fall is here, along with all the issues it brings with transition. As predicted, we are seeing short supplies and escalating markets. Broccoli is very tight and will be prorated. The weather in Yuma has been very hot, so some of the earlier crops in Yuma could be affected. Endive, escarole, leeks, cilantro and fennel are still escalated and look to remain that way through transition. Bok Choy and artichokes have stayed at the extreme trigger and kale has also been added to the extreme trigger list. Artichokes will continue to be held to averages. Leeks, romaine, lettuce, spinach, spring mix and broccolini are all very light in supplies. Broccolini is still very tight and most growers are continuing to hold to averages. Aside from the heat, the Diamondback moth was a large issue in the valley, and affected the broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage fields. Supplies will be limited on all cabbage items.