There have been some reports of “fringe burn” on lettuce being shipped out of 
California’s Salinas Valley. This results from an exceptionally windy summer where the leaves are damaged from the wind and debris that is blown. While all lettuces have been affected to a certain degree, it appears to be more prominent with romaine and romaine hearts.
Otherwise, the Salinas Valley has had great weather this summer, with many days being under 70 degrees F. This is quite a difference from the “roasting” much of the USA is experiencing. Just take a little extra time inspecting the lettuce being loaded on your truck, and make sure your receiver(s) know what is being delivered and have any defect information written on the bill of lading.
There also are reports of some large Iceberg lettuce that is overripe. This occurs when product is left in the fields too long before harvesting.
Berries
California continues on track for possible record shipments of strawberries. The state has been running about 13 million trays ahead of this same period a year ago. The record is 181.3 million trays. The heaviest volume of a long season for shipping California strawberries is coming to a close. Shipments typically decline in August and into the fall.
Once again, here is a reminder to be extra cautious if you are hauling highly perishable berries this time of year, because of the extreme heat occuring in many parts of the USA. Please check out the in transit warming information on the TransFresh ads found on this website.
Besides strawberries out of the Watsonsville district, California also is shipping raspberries and blackberries. There should be decent supplies for hauling over at least the next couple of months.
Salinas Valley produce – grossing about $5500 to Cleveland.