produce

What to Expect in Your Produce Department in May

Uncategorized, Produce Alerts / May 3, 2021

With a majority of crops in good supply and quality, we anticipate many grocery stores will be stocked with beautiful and delicious fruits and vegetables. However, there are a few things you should be aware of when ordering for your produce department this month.

Peddler’s Son has over 30 years of experience providing grocery retailers, restaurants, healthcare providers, and educational institutions with wholesale produce. With 54,000 square feet of warehouse and over 30 trucks feeding all of Arizona, we’ve got our finger on the pulse of the produce market. Read our article below to learn what you should expect this month in your produce department.

Berries Continue to Be Tight

The price for most berries is trending up this week. While growers are reporting higher production numbers, the demand is high due to the short supply of berries from previous weeks. Another thing to consider is the fact that weather is continuing to impact crops in certain areas, such as Florida, California, and Georgia.

Cauliflower Supply is Not Looking Promising

When you order products for your produce department, don’t be surprised to see a limited inventory of cauliflower. Growers are reporting short supplies due to cooler temperatures in the Salinas Valley. Fortunately, the available cauliflower they do have is reported to be of good quality.

Cucumber Prices are Trending Up

Production out of Mexico and Florida isn’t meeting demands, which means prices for cucumbers are trending up. Production is expected to ramp up in the next couple of weeks, so we may see prices trending down sometime before the end of May.

Red Grape Supply and Quality is Looking Dubious

Red grapes continue to perform lower than expected. The slow market has caused older inventory to be priced lower and quality to tank. While there are good quality grapes on the market, they come at a higher price tag. Green grapes remain in high supply and quality.

Limes Remain a Concern for Produce Buyers

Large portions of Mexico are experiencing significant amounts of rain, resulting in quality and supply issues. With Cinco de Mayo approaching, demand is increasing and costs will surely rise. Fortunately, our source expects lime supply and quality will become stable by the end of May.

Peddler’s Son Excellence in Wholesale Produce

Peddler’s Son has provided Arizona businesses with quality wholesale produce for over 30 years. We are committed to customer service, quality, and honest pricing to ensure our customers get the best products and provisions possible. As a family-owned wholesale produce distributor, we provide our services to everyone from the produce department to the hospital cafeteria. No matter your industry, Peddler’s Son is here for you! Contact us today and learn what a partnership with us can mean for your business.

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April Trends in Your Produce Department

Produce Alerts, News / April 12, 2021

It’s beginning to look like spring! With a majority of crops in good supply and quality, our sources are telling us that your grocery store is going to be full of delicious fruits and vegetables. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when ordering products for your produce department this month.

The Price of Eggplants is Trending Down

While the quality and supply of eggplants are in good standing, there is a low demand for the vegetable. As a result, this is putting pressure on the cost and shifting price in grocery stores.

Berries Will Be Tight This Month

Due to the recent weather and Easter holiday, berry supplies will be extremely tight out of Mexico. Prices for blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are trending up and growers don’t expect the market to come down for at least a few more weeks in April.

Comparatively, strawberries are running slightly low this week. Supplies are winding down in Central Mexico and Florida, while California was impacted by rain and hail. Additionally, there was a lot of pressure on demand due to the Easter holiday. Now that the weather is forecasted to improve, pricing is expected to improve by next week.

Fluctuating Weather is Leading to Poor Carrot Supplies

Due to extremely cold temperatures, jumbo carrot supplies will be close to nonexistent for three to four weeks. Table carrots out of Arizona, California, and Georgia show greater opportunity but still face some supply issues. It’s also important to note the weather fluctuation is causing cello carrots to crack, thus stunting the product’s growth.

Corn is in Limbo for Another Few Weeks

Corn hasn’t changed since our last update. Production is at a standstill due to the inclement weather over the last few months. This has led to a lower supply and quality that will be available in your produce department. However, it’s important to note production in California is projected to start in a couple of weeks. This development may affect the availability and quality in late April/early May.

Lime Availability and Quality Remains a Concern

Veracruz and large portions of Mexico are experiencing significant amounts of rain, resulting in quality and supply issues. This will have an impact on limes arriving at the border for the next week. Additionally, holy week ended on April 3rd, meaning growers are back to harvesting crops. We’re expecting to see a steady stream of limes in the produce department by mid-next week.

Peddler’s Son Excellence in Wholesale Produce

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August 2020 Fresh Produce Distribution Recap

Produce Alerts, News / September 2, 2020

According to weekly reports by National Produce Consultants, August fresh produce distribution was good overall, at least during the first half of the month. Fresh produce item alerts never went past six in a single week and good quality was reported among the rest. Things changed for the second half of August though, with California suffering from extreme heatwaves and the East Coast dealing with the repercussions of Hurricane Isaias.

Potatoes began their transition to northern states, which heavily impacted quality and supply all month. Low yields on mixed berries continued throughout the month due to California being the primary producer and Mexico’s supply did not start until the last week of August. The biggest issue was of course the California wildfires, adding to the heatwaves the state was experiencing, the wildfires negatively influenced half a dozen fresh produce items.

Fresh Produce Watch

Affected By CA Wildfires

Broccoli – Brussel Sprouts – Cauliflower – Celery – Iceberg

Affected By Hurricane Isaias

Cucumber – Tomatoes – Summer Squash

Other Issues

Romaine Lettuce (Quality) – Potatoes (Transition) – Limes (Weather) – Chinese Garlic (Import Issues) – Strawberries (Low Yields) – Corn (Weather) – Mixed Berries (Low Yields)

For the full reports, click here.

What to Expect at Your Local Fresh Produce in September

Containing the wildfires in California will be crucial in trying to minimize the impact on not only the food distribution chain but also on the overall environment of the state and preserving its nature. COVID-19 continues to be a major issue in the fresh produce industry as food distribution will have to continue to adjust and adapt now that schools, universities, and restaurants are continuing to reopen across the country.

Mexico’s helping hand will come a long way in the production of mixed berries as California handles heatwaves and wildfires affecting its production on their end. Finally, new crops for potatoes will be in full swing in the coming weeks helping the low quality of the limited crop available at the moment.

Peddler’s Son Wholesale Food Delivery

As a family-owned wholesale produce distributor since 1988, Peddler’s Son is here to help your business grow. We provide exceptional customer service through transparency and integrity and continue to build valuable relationships by supplying Arizona customers with the best quality products. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a customer.

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3 Ways to Increase Your Hospital’s Cafeteria Revenue with Peddler’s Son

Blog Post / August 19, 2020

When you think of hospital cafeteria food, you might picture tan trays with small portions of veggies, a bland-looking entree with a pudding cup in the corner. What if we told you it doesn’t have to be that way? Many hospitals are stepping up their dining experiences to increase revenue. Improving the food served to patients and visitors by offering higher quality dishes presents your cafeteria as a more reputable culinary department. That is why we’ve highlighted a few ways hospitals are restructuring their cafeterias to be more appealing for guests and gain higher sales.

Quality Hospital Cafeteria Food at Reasonable Prices

When you visit a cafeteria in the hospital, you should expect a variety of healthy options. What you might not expect are dishes seen in a trendy restaurant, but why not? Located inside the Aspen Valley Hospital, Castle Creek Cafe serves up many quality dishes, including Shepherd’s Pie and Beef Shawarma. Castle Rock Adventist is another facility that houses a highly regarded cafeteria that prioritizes quality at reasonable prices, such as their glazed duck confit with a side of swiss chard and spätzle for just $9.

While hospitals must adhere to their budgets, they are able to serve these dishes at affordable rates for a couple of reasons.

Restaurants are partly subsidized by the hospital
Prices stay low because they make the food in large volumes
There’s no need to tip the cafeteria staff
They use food distribution partners, like Peddler’s Son, that provides affordable, high-quality foods prime for showcasing

Cafeteria Food from Local Sources

You may have noticed a common trend in the restaurant industry to use ingredients and products that are sourced locally. This even applies to hospital cafeteria food. As healthcare facilities work to provide healthy options, there has been a push for organizations to utilize local resources, such as local distributors and local farmers. Not only does this promote regional economic growth, but studies have shown the fresher the products are, the healthier the food is.

Create a Unique Dining Concept

According to the North American Association of Food Equipment, 76% of patients and residents eat every meal at their hospital or long-term care facility. As a result, many organizations are steering away from the drab cafeteria setting to have a more restaurant feel. Health facilities, such as Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina, decorated their eatery to have a more modern appeal while serving authentic dishes you would not expect to see when you order hospital cafeteria food.

Bring It Together To Improve Upon Your Revenue

The development of any reputable culinary establishment relies on these features to drive revenue. Incorporating these items not only promotes healthier, affordable options, but drives people away from fast food restaurants and straight to your facility. Transitioning to a more chef-inspired environment has proven to be a more positive influence on cafeteria’s revenue. Using what we’ve discussed could surely push healthcare eateries forward.

Spice Up Your Hospital Cafeteria Food With Peddler’s Son Products

For over 25 years, Peddler’s Son has been one of Arizona’s top food distributors providing quality produce & provisions, service, and delivery. To serve the best food to your customers, you need the best ingredients and products. We work with a variety of schools, hospitals, and restaurants to ensure their meals meet the quality standards of their chefs and customers. Contact us today to learn how our products and services will enhance your dishes.

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