Apples:

• Local Apples: Growers across the region are currently harvesting Gala and Honeycrisp

apples, with a significant portion being placed into Controlled Atmosphere storage to

help maintain quality and extend shelf life. Growers are easing into harvest of a crop

affected by the April freeze.

• Western Apples: School demand combined with limited availability is putting upward

pressure on the apple market. Reds, Golds, and Granny Smith are all experiencing higher

prices. Fuji Apples are extremely tight. Gala is the bright spot, with the new crop harvest

underway and the market holding steady.

Asparagus: Alert

Asparagus prices are gradually easing as supplies increase. However, El Niño conditions are

reducing yields and impacting quality in Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador, raising concerns

about supply for December and January. Improved production in Southern Peru is helping to

offset some of the shortages, although global demand remains strong.

Berries: Alert

• Blackberry Markets are steady. Supplies continue to increase into mid-October as more

fruit arrives from Central Mexico. Quality is fair to good.

• Blueberry Markets are down a bit. The Pacific northwest has ended, with Peruvian and

Mexican imports beginning to dominate the market. we have switched into half pints.

Quality is good.

• Raspberry markets are steady. Supplies are becoming more stable as Mexican product

continues to enter the U.S. through Texas and San Diego. Quality is fair to good.

• Strawberry markets are up. California supplies are winding down as recent heat has

reduced quality and yields in Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Maria, and Oxnard, with

harvest crews slowing to maintain quality. Meanwhile, shipments from Central Mexico

and Baja are increasing through Texas and San Diego and are expected to continue

growing in the coming weeks. Quality is fair.

Broccoli:

Markets are up. Broccoli supplies have improved slightly, but overall availability remains below

normal. Diamondback Moth pressure continues to impact younger fields, reducing yields and

limiting production. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Broccoli. Quality is fair to good.Brussel Sprouts:

Markets are up. Supplies remain tight due to ongoing insect pressure, which continues to

impact yields and availability. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Brussels. Quality is fair

to good.

Cabbage:

• Green Cartons: Markets are steady.

• There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Green Cabbage. Quality is good.

• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Red

Cabbage. Quality is good.

• Bagged Cabbage: Markets are steady. Quality is good.

Carrots:

• Cello markets are steady. Quality is good.

• Loose markets are steady. Quality is good.

• Value-add Carrots markets are steady. Quality is good.

Cauliflower:

Markets are coming down. Availability has improved as more fields have come forward,

allowing for more harvesting. Heavy Diamondback Moth pressure, especially in South County

and Santa Maria, continues to severely impact yields. Warm weather is adding to field

challenges. There is a AOG trigger on all value-added Cauliflower. Quality is fair to good.

Celery:

Markets are steady. Quality is generally good, with minor seeder issues reported industry-wide.

Insect pressure remains minimal but is still being seen sporadically. Quality is good.

Citrus: Alert

• Lemon: Markets are up. District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard region) is in full

production and supplying the majority of fruit with good quality. Mexican fruit is also in

full production with good quality.

• Limes: market is softening as new crop continues to produce and smaller size fruit

becomes more available. Some skin defects are still present due to excessive rainfall in

the growing region.

• Orange: Markets are up. The California Valencia orange crop continues to peak on larger

sizes, primarily 56ct and 72ct fruit. Small sizes, especially 113ct and 138ct, remain

extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the remainder of the season.

To help ensure consistent supply, flexibility on size and grade will be necessary, with

substitutions to larger-size Valencias likely required. Suppliers are maintaining contract

size averages while managing overall availability. Schools and DoD programs areencouraged to accept 88ct or 72ct fruit whenever possible to support order fulfillment.

Quality is good.

Cucumbers:

• Cucumbers Markets are steady. Eastern shippers remain in a stable supply position,

supported by good quality and strong demand.

• Cello Cucumber Markets are coming off but product is still limited. Quality is good.

Eggplant:

Markets are steady. East coast production was down this week. Overall quality is good.

Grapes:

Markets are steady. The grape market is expected to continue strengthening in October as

some shippers finish their harvest for the season. Quality is good.

Green Onions: Alert

Markets are up and sold out. Baja production remains extremely limited due to continued heat,

lower yields, and smaller sizing. Tight supplies are keeping the market firm, while water

availability and potential monsoonal weather remain concerns. Improved supplies are expected

as fall production ramps up in mid- to late October. Quality is fair to good.

Herbs:

• Basil: Quality is fair.

Lettuce Iceberg: Alert

Markets are up and sold out. Lower yields in Salinas and Santa Maria continue to keep supplies

tight. Ongoing INSV pressure is limiting availability, while quality challenges, including outer-leaf

discoloration, misshapen heads, and insect damage remain a concern. There is a AOG trigger on

all value-added Lettuce. Quality is fair to good.

Lettuce Leaf: Alert

• Romaine markets are up and sold out. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV

virus continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. There is

a AOG trigger on all value-added Romaine. Quality is fair to good.

• Romaine Heart markets are up and sold out. Minimal fringe and tip burn being

reported. INSV virus continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas

Valley. Quality is fair to good.

• Green Leaf markets are up. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus

continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. There is a

AOG trigger on all value-added Green Leaf. Quality is fair to good.• Red Leaf markets are up. Minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. INSV virus

continues put pressure on weights, yields, and quality in the Salinas Valley. Quality is fair

to good.

Lettuce Tender Leaf:

Arcadian, Arugula, Cilantro, Parsley, Spring Mix, and Spinach. Tender leaf items are steady.

Select Spring Mix varieties have experienced some shelf-life issues, though overall quality

remains good. We recommend monitoring shelf life closely. Recent heat has also led to

inconsistent Spinach sizing as growth rates fluctuate. Quality remains good, and a slight

cooldown should help improve size consistency moving forward. There is a AOG trigger on all

value-added Cilantro. Quality is fair to good.

Melons:

• Cantaloupes: Markets are up. Domestic cantaloupes are currently shipping from Central

California. Cooler weather and lower yields are pushing prices higher. Quality is good.

• Honeydews: Markets are up. Domestic honeydews are shipping from Central California.

Quality is good.

Mushrooms:

Mushroom pricing has seen a slight increase due to an overall shortage of supply over the past

several months. The shortage has been driven by lower crop yields and labor challenges, while

increased fuel costs have also contributed to the higher prices.

Onions:

• Red Onion: The market is steady, supported by a strong crop coming out of Washington.

Idaho has started shipping. Transportation availability continues to play a significant role

in the market, with freight costs remaining a key driver of overall pricing. Product quality

remains strong across all major growing regions.

• Yellow: The market is steady, supported by a strong crop coming out of Washington.

Idaho has starting shipping. Colossal and Super Colossal remain tight, as onions have

not sized up just yet. Transportation availability continues to play a significant role in

the market, with freight costs remaining a key driver of overall pricing. Product quality

remains strong across all major growing regions.

Peppers:

• Green Pepper: Markets are up, with the East Coast market expected to remain active

through mid-October. Recent weather conditions have contributed to supply shortages.

Southern growing regions are expected to begin pepper production within the next few

weeks. Overall quality remains good.

• Red/Yellow/Orange Pepper Red pepper markets are going up. Quality is fair to good.Pineapples:

Markets are still strong. Quality is good.

Potatoes: Alert

Markets are steady. Larger counts are in short supply, particularly 40cts through 70cts.

Transportation costs continue to contribute to overall market strength. Quality is fair to good.

Squash: Alert

East Coast squash supplies remain tight, with light volumes coming from North Carolina and

New Jersey. Georgia production continues to build, while Florida is expected to begin

harvesting in mid- to late October. Overall quality continues to be fair to good.

Tomatoes: Alert

Round tomato supplies are tight on both the East and West coasts. Roma supplies remain

limited from California and Mexico. Florida is not expected to start until late October or early

November. Grape and Cherry tomato supplies are also tightening as Eastern production

declines, with Florida expected to begin shipping in mid-October.

• Round tomato markets are up. Quality is good.

• Roma tomato markets are up. Quality is good.

• Grape tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good.

• Cherry tomato markets are up and sold out. Quality is good.

Yams:

Markets are active. Quality is good.

Market Alerts:

The items listed below are either being prorated or are in short supply.

1. Artisan Lettuce (45% fill rate)

2. Artisan Romaine (15% fill rate)

3. Asparagus

4. Broccolini (85% fill rate)

5. Green Leaf

6. Idaho Potatoes

7. Lettuce

8. Oranges

9. Roma Crunch (Sold Out)

10. Romaine & Romaine Hearts

11. Scallions

12. Strawberries

13. Squash

14. Tomatoes Grape & Cherry