The pumpkin crop out of Washington began slightly later this year. Michele Youngquist of Bay Baby Produce has been harvesting pumpkins since August 12th. "We're coming out of a cooler planting season but we're getting some really nice warm weather now," says Youngquist.
Youngquist says Bay Baby Produce has been harvesting pumpkins since August 12th.
As for the crop size, it's similar to last year and is average-sized. Harvest will continue on pumpkins until about October 15. Bay Baby's organic winter squash will start packing on September 20 and go until about December 15.
While the grower-shipper is shipping pumpkins out of Washington, there are also many local pumpkin deals across the country.
Concerns over labor
Bay Baby Produce is a contract grower of pumpkins and says when it comes to shipping a seasonal item such as pumpkins, a key challenge is getting the product picked, packed, and shipped in a short time. "There are always challenges such as labor. Washington has one of the highest minimum wages in the U.S. and after 40 hours, we have to pay overtime and that's tough," says Youngquist.
Tyann Schlimmer (left) and Lindsey Lance of Bay Baby in fields of winter squash, which will be packed until about December 15.
Meanwhile, on pricing, it's slightly stronger compared to last year at this time but stable.
As for Bay Baby Produce, this year it's celebrating 25 years as a grower and shipper of squash and pumpkins. To help commemorate the occasion, this year it's also producing a line of decorative Retro-Kin painted pumpkins.
Later this month it will also begin harvesting its ornamental squash and harvest should also continue until about October 15th.
For more information:
Michele Youngquist
Bay Baby Produce, Inc.
Tel: +1 (360) 755-2299
[email protected]
www.baybabyproduce.com