Supply of Baby Gem lettuce has finished up harvest in Yuma, Arizona, and production has transitioned to Salinas, California where harvest has just begun. "Supplies to start the Salinas region are strong," says Maya Capurro, Baby Gem lettuce commodity manager for D'Arrigo California.
Baby Gem is a new program for D'Arrigo that just began at the start of its Yuma season in January so this will be the first time that volume will be coming out of Salinas on this product. "The Salinas season is about four to eight days behind schedule this year on many leaf and lettuce items. This is a result of the cooler/wetter weather we've received this winter which has slowed plant growth down a bit," says Capurro, adding that Salinas supply will be available through November.
Consumption to grow with education
As for demand, it seems to be fairly steady during this transitional period. This means Andy Boy Baby Gem lettuce may be able to step in and take advantage of the overall lighter lettuce supply during this transitional period. "We hope that consumption and demand of this lettuce will continue to increase as the product reaches more marketplaces and gains more awareness by our consumers," says Capurro.
In becoming more familiar with the product, consumers will also learn that the Andy Boy Baby Gem lettuce bags will be transitioning, along with the company's other packaged leafy green commodities, to 30 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. This is an initiative that's part of the company's overall commitment to sustainability.
As for pricing, while lettuce and leaf markets have been fairly active during this transition time, it has stayed consistent and steady on Baby Gem Lettuce given it is more of a specialty program.
For more information:
Morgan Tinari
D'Arrigo California
Tel: (+1) 831-455-4301
morgan.tinari@darrigo.com
www.andyboy.com