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Normal Thanksgiving produce shipments are occurring for such favorites as sweet potatoes and cranberries, but green bean volume will be light.
North Carolina sweet potatoes shipments for the new crop got underway in mid August this year, a couple of week earlier than usual. Fortunately, there was great weather for about six weeks that allowed harvesting to go pretty much uninterrupted.
It could have been a real disaster for North Carolina sweet potato shippers if Hurricane Joaquin hadn’t taken a right turn into the Atlantic. Otherwise North Carolina may have been pounded with rains and flooding like South Carolina.
Eastern North Carolina sweet potatoes – grossing $3000 to Boston and Chicago.
Cranberry Shipments
Wisconsin continues to the be leading state for fresh cranberry shipments, with Tomah, Wis.-based Habelman Bros. Co., of Tomah, WI being the largest grower/shipper. The Wisconsin cranberry harvest has been in full swing as it gears up for Thanksgiving shipments.
Green Bean Shipments
Green bean shipments for Thanksgiving out of the Southeast are expected to be very light due to heavy September rains. Some bean shippers will be down as much as 60 percent compared to last year. Excessive rains washed a lot of plantings out. Green bean shipments are not expected to rebound until after Thanksgiving.
Salinas Valley vegetable shipments will be transitioning this week to the Huron district in the San Joaquin Valley, while shipments from the desert will start in early November.
It’s been a roller coaster ride for Salinas veggies this season, with periods of heavy shipments, followed by shipping gaps, primarily due to hot weather affecting everything from Iceberg lettuce, to broccoli, cauliflower, celery and other crops. It’s unclear when, but shipping gaps are being predicted right into the Thanksgiving pull for product by receivers next month.
The Salinas Valley has had warmer than normal temperature since the first of August, resulting in early harvests, followed by shipping gaps.
The transition for Huron vegetable shipments in Central California is taking place this week, while the initial harvest from Yuma, AZ, in the desert begins next week. Yuma vegetable shipments will be increasing in the weeks to follow.
California’s Santa Maria Valley has experienced many of the same challenges found in Salinas.
With frost hitting eastern Canada and excessive rains on the east coast of the U.S., California is about the only place shipping vegetables now.
Central San Joaquin Valley produce items – grossing about $7000 to Boston.
Here’s a national shipping round up on imported bananas, grapes and avocados from California, as well as Eastern apples.
Banana imports, particularly from Gulfport, MS, are expected to increase as fall kicks in and summer peaches, strawberries and other fruit shipments decline. Banana imports are generally expected to be stable for the next several months from such countries as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Peru.
Among the larger banana handlers are Del Monte Fresh Produce NA Inc.; Turbana Corp. of Coral Gables, FL; and Dole Food Co. of Westlake Village, CA.
California Grape Shipments
Grape loadings in mid-October were similar to last year with about 79.8 million pounds of grapes shipped in the U.S. the week ending October 10th, up slightly from 79.1 million pounds in the same week in 2014. Season-to-date, about 2.34 billion pounds had been shipped through October 10th, up from 2.23 billion pounds last year.
Central San Joaquin Valley grape and other produce shipments – grossing about $5200 of Atlanta.
California Avocado Shipments
Avocado shipments were up significantly in mid-October with about 50.8 million pounds of avocados shipped in the U.S. in the week ending October 10th, up from 32.1 million pounds last year at the same time. Season-to-date volumes also are up, climbing from 706 million pounds through October 10th, 2014, to 795 million pounds this year.
Southern California avocado, citrus and vegetable shipments – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.
Eastern Apple Shipments
Apple shippers east of the Mississippi River are reporting brisk movement, in part, due to less volume expected out of Washington state this season.
As of mid-October, New York apple shipments were on schedule to meet, if not exceed, the preseason estimate of 27.5 million boxes. While no record shipments are being forecast, the volume is in line with the 5-year average for shipments.
Michigan also is having strong demand for its apples, and is running ahead of last year in terms of shipments. Harvest should be completed by the end of this month.
Western Michigan apple shipments – grossing about $800 to Chicago.
Hudson Valley New York apple shipments – grossing about $2400 to Orlando.
by Idaho Potato Commission
EAGLE, Idaho – The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) recently released the latest addition to its series of highly memorable television commercials starring the Real Idaho® Potato Farmer Mark Coombs in search of his famed Big Idaho® Potato Truck. In this fourth spot, Farmer Mark sets off on a mission with his bloodhound, Otis to find his missing truck after he sees college football sideline reporter, Heather Cox with his truck on the local news.
The “Missing” commercials featuring Farmer Mark made their debut four years ago during the first Big Idaho® Potato Truck Tour.
“Pairing our two largest marketing campaigns has proven to be highly successful,” says Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC. “By featuring the Big Idaho® Potato Truck in our ads, we are essentially promoting the tour ten months out of the year. And, we know the campaign works because almost everywhere the truck travels, folks who have seen the commercial tell the traveling Tater Team to go home!”
The new commercial made its national debut during the Boise State University vs. University of Washington football game on September 5 and began running regularly in mid-October on national cable networks including The Food Network, CNN, Headline News, Fox News, The History Channel and The Cooking Channel. The commercial will air through early February and generate more than 550 million audience impressions.
Heather Cox, a college football sideline reporter who has been working with the IPC for three years made a cameo appearance as herself in the commercial. During football season, the Idaho resident helps generate excitement for Idaho® potatoes among college football fans and spud lovers across the country. Currently she is helping the IPC promote its first online tailgating recipe contest.
The Big Idaho® Potato Truck just completed its fourth cross-country journey. The tour began in 2012 as a one-year campaign to celebrate the IPC’s 75th anniversary and it was apparent from the start, based on the reaction from consumers, the industry and the media, that the truck would not be retiring anytime soon. Today, it’s a solid part of pop-culture that has visited 48 states, met millions of folks across the country and generated billions of media impressions.
To view the commercial online, please visit the IPC’s YouTube Channel.
Federal nutrition mandates have hurt the financial health of school meal programs, say 70 percent of U.S. school nutrition directors in a survey.
The survey by the National Harbor, Md.-based School Nutrition Association said 58 percent of those responding said school lunch participation declined under the new standards, with 93 percent of that group citing “decreased student acceptance of meals” as a factor in the decline, according to a news release about the poll.
The School Nutrition Association said the survey supports the argument for more funding and more flexibility in school meal nutrition requirements, including the mandate for a half a cup or fruit or vegetable at each reimbursable meal.
“School nutrition standards have resulted in many positive changes, but we cannot ignore the repercussions — the financial impact of these rules threatens school meal programs and their efforts to better serve students,” Jean Ronnei, SNS, SNA president and chief operations officer at Saint Paul Public Schools, Minn., said in the release. “To ensure programs remain financially sustainable for the children they serve, Congress must provide more funding and reasonable flexibility under the most stringent rules.”
The survey found nearly three in four school districts with a la carte service report decreased revenue since the 2014 Smart Snacks in School rules took effect, according to the release.
The report cited USDA statistics that the updated school nutrition standards have resulted in one million fewer students choose school lunch each day under the new rules.
About the SNA survey said eight in 10 school districts have attempted to offset losses with a variety of measures, according to the release, including:
- 49 percednt of districts have reduced staffing;
- 41 percent have diminished the meal program’s reserve fund;
- 36 percent have limited menu choices and variety; and
- 32 percent have deferred or canceled equipment investments.
“Schools are trying to expose students to a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, but faced with rising costs and shrinking revenue, many have been forced to limit pricey choices like snap peas and berries and serve more affordable options, like celery and juice,” Ronnei said in the release.
by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first citrus crop forecast for the 2015-2016 season, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released this statement:
“On the heels of the smallest orange crop in nearly 50 years last season, this initial citrus crop estimate confirms that Florida’s citrus industry is in a fight for its life. The health of Florida citrus is important to every Floridian – not just those who depend on it for their livelihoods. We will continue to fight to save the industry, its more than $10.7 billion economic impact and the more than 64,000 jobs it supports.”
Commissioner Adam H. Putnam has requested $18,700,000 from the Florida Legislature this year to support critical research, grow clean citrus stock, remove and replant diseased trees and more.
The USDA’s initial forecast of 80 million boxes of oranges, weighing 90 pounds each, is down 17 percent from last year season. This represents a decline of more than 67 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-1998 season.
Heavy rains should keep pumpkin shipments lighter than usual around much of the country heading into Halloween (October 31st).
For example, Mike Pirrone Produce Inc., based in Capac, MI expects just 300 loads of pumpkins to be shipped this year This would be down from the 500 loads of pumpkins normally shipped.
West Texas pumpkin shippers have a similar story. If the prediction of 50 percent fewer shipments this season holds, it would be the lowest production in 20 years.
At Lusk Onion Co. of Clovis, N.M., average shipments are expected, but the product is maturing in smaller sizes than usual. The overall crop is being described as pretty average in volume, but the size is a little smaller.
There also have reports of pumpkin shippers in Indiana being particularly hit hard due to excessive spring rains.
Both North Carolina and South Carolina have taken hits in production thanks to Hurricane Joaquin and it’s drenching rains.
It’s difficult getting any current national production, or shipping numbers for pumpkins since about 40 states grow and ship the item, but mostly on a local and regional basis.
Apple shipments from West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania are forecast to increase over 41 million pounds this year across the three states, according to the USDA. Meanwhile, imports of Chilean blueberries continue to increase.
Pennsylvania apple shipments should see a 32-million pound increase over 2014.
Meanwhile, West Virginia apple shipments are expected to increase by 8 million pounds, while Maryland apple shipments are projected to have a 1.6 million-pound hike.
Pennsylvania, which had 493 million pounds of apples in 2014, ranked fourth among 29 major apple-producing states. West Virginia ranked ninth, with 82 million pounds last year.
Chilean Blueberry Imports
Chilean blueberry production will continue to grow during the 2015-16 season, and global exports of fresh blueberries will be in the range of 218 million to 241 million pounds. This means an increase of 7 to 19 percent over the previous season’s exports of 203 million pounds.
North America is by far the largest export market for Chilean blueberries, with 67 percent of Chilean blueberry exports landing in this market during the 2014-15 season. Europe comprised 23 percent of Chile’s fresh blueberry exports and Asia 10 percent.
Chile’s blueberry acreage continues to expand, with about 39,289 acres currently planted. In 2014-15, Chile exported a total of 34.1 million boxes, with over 19 million boxes shipped to North America. In 2015-16, exports to America are projected to exceed 20 million boxes and reach new historic highs.
The first export peak is expected to be similar in timing to 2014, with projected exports of 9-13 million pounds in December.
Texas citrus shipments from the Lower Rio Grande Valley are underway.
Shipping started the first full week of October and will continue until April. While volume is still light, it is increasing and should be “normal” heading into November.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley has about 28,000 acres of citrus trees. With new plantings, over 30,000 of trees or expected in the next few years. These new plantings should result in greater yields, which could mean a 10 percent increase in potential shipments over the next several years. About eight million cartons are expected to be shipped this year.
Broken down, those eight million cartons are comprised of about 75 percent red grapefruit and 25 percent oranges. Last year, Texas shipped about 7.8 million cartons of citrus.
Though some groves are still coming out of production, the Texas citrus industry is gaining acreage.
Two devastating freezes in the 1980s, urbanization, marketing conditions and other factors drastically reduced the number of acres devoted to citrus in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, where grapefruit flourished for decades. But in the past decade, investment in the industry has been on the rise, which has led to some consolidation and increased plantings.
Mexican fruit and vegetable imports at Pharr, Tx, plus South Texas citrus – grossing about $2400 to Chicago.
The Golden Gate Wholesale Produce Market will undergo a major renovation effort that will include a solar installation and other infrastructure, environmental, food safety, traffic and sustainability improvements for the first time since it was built in the 1960s.
Located in South San Francisco, the renovation is the most extensive in the market’s 53-year history and is designed to meet the changing needs of businesses located at the market and customers who shop there. By strengthening the market’s infrastructure and advancing its commitment to sustainability, it plans to create a better experience for everyone who works at or visits the market.
Located across the freeway from San Francisco International Airport, this 742,000-square-foot facility, is the largest and busiest produce terminal in Northern California. The state-of-the-art enhancements are planned over the next year and include new solar/energy efficiency upgrades, cold chain food storage management and worker safety systems, as well as smoother traffic flow within the facility.
Twenty-three independent and family-owned businesses operate at the market, including wholesalers, jobbers, commission merchants, brokers, foodservice distributors, processors and one restaurant. More than 15 million packages move through the market each year.
Normal Thanksgiving produce shipments are occurring for such favorites as sweet potatoes and cranberries, but green bean volume will be light.
North Carolina sweet potatoes shipments for the new crop got underway in mid August this year, a couple of week earlier than usual. Fortunately, there was great weather for about six weeks that allowed harvesting to go pretty much uninterrupted.
It could have been a real disaster for North Carolina sweet potato shippers if Hurricane Joaquin hadn’t taken a right turn into the Atlantic. Otherwise North Carolina may have been pounded with rains and flooding like South Carolina.
Eastern North Carolina sweet potatoes – grossing $3000 to Boston and Chicago.
Cranberry Shipments
Wisconsin continues to the be leading state for fresh cranberry shipments, with Tomah, Wis.-based Habelman Bros. Co., of Tomah, WI being the largest grower/shipper. The Wisconsin cranberry harvest has been in full swing as it gears up for Thanksgiving shipments.
Green Bean Shipments
Green bean shipments for Thanksgiving out of the Southeast are expected to be very light due to heavy September rains. Some bean shippers will be down as much as 60 percent compared to last year. Excessive rains washed a lot of plantings out. Green bean shipments are not expected to rebound until after Thanksgiving.
Salinas Valley vegetable shipments will be transitioning this week to the Huron district in the San Joaquin Valley, while shipments from the desert will start in early November.
It’s been a roller coaster ride for Salinas veggies this season, with periods of heavy shipments, followed by shipping gaps, primarily due to hot weather affecting everything from Iceberg lettuce, to broccoli, cauliflower, celery and other crops. It’s unclear when, but shipping gaps are being predicted right into the Thanksgiving pull for product by receivers next month.
The Salinas Valley has had warmer than normal temperature since the first of August, resulting in early harvests, followed by shipping gaps.
The transition for Huron vegetable shipments in Central California is taking place this week, while the initial harvest from Yuma, AZ, in the desert begins next week. Yuma vegetable shipments will be increasing in the weeks to follow.
California’s Santa Maria Valley has experienced many of the same challenges found in Salinas.
With frost hitting eastern Canada and excessive rains on the east coast of the U.S., California is about the only place shipping vegetables now.
Central San Joaquin Valley produce items – grossing about $7000 to Boston.
Here’s a national shipping round up on imported bananas, grapes and avocados from California, as well as Eastern apples.
Banana imports, particularly from Gulfport, MS, are expected to increase as fall kicks in and summer peaches, strawberries and other fruit shipments decline. Banana imports are generally expected to be stable for the next several months from such countries as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Peru.
Among the larger banana handlers are Del Monte Fresh Produce NA Inc.; Turbana Corp. of Coral Gables, FL; and Dole Food Co. of Westlake Village, CA.
California Grape Shipments
Grape loadings in mid-October were similar to last year with about 79.8 million pounds of grapes shipped in the U.S. the week ending October 10th, up slightly from 79.1 million pounds in the same week in 2014. Season-to-date, about 2.34 billion pounds had been shipped through October 10th, up from 2.23 billion pounds last year.
Central San Joaquin Valley grape and other produce shipments – grossing about $5200 of Atlanta.
California Avocado Shipments
Avocado shipments were up significantly in mid-October with about 50.8 million pounds of avocados shipped in the U.S. in the week ending October 10th, up from 32.1 million pounds last year at the same time. Season-to-date volumes also are up, climbing from 706 million pounds through October 10th, 2014, to 795 million pounds this year.
Southern California avocado, citrus and vegetable shipments – grossing about $4300 to Chicago.
Eastern Apple Shipments
Apple shippers east of the Mississippi River are reporting brisk movement, in part, due to less volume expected out of Washington state this season.
As of mid-October, New York apple shipments were on schedule to meet, if not exceed, the preseason estimate of 27.5 million boxes. While no record shipments are being forecast, the volume is in line with the 5-year average for shipments.
Michigan also is having strong demand for its apples, and is running ahead of last year in terms of shipments. Harvest should be completed by the end of this month.
Western Michigan apple shipments – grossing about $800 to Chicago.
Hudson Valley New York apple shipments – grossing about $2400 to Orlando.
by Idaho Potato Commission
EAGLE, Idaho – The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) recently released the latest addition to its series of highly memorable television commercials starring the Real Idaho® Potato Farmer Mark Coombs in search of his famed Big Idaho® Potato Truck. In this fourth spot, Farmer Mark sets off on a mission with his bloodhound, Otis to find his missing truck after he sees college football sideline reporter, Heather Cox with his truck on the local news.
The “Missing” commercials featuring Farmer Mark made their debut four years ago during the first Big Idaho® Potato Truck Tour.
“Pairing our two largest marketing campaigns has proven to be highly successful,” says Frank Muir, President and CEO, IPC. “By featuring the Big Idaho® Potato Truck in our ads, we are essentially promoting the tour ten months out of the year. And, we know the campaign works because almost everywhere the truck travels, folks who have seen the commercial tell the traveling Tater Team to go home!”
The new commercial made its national debut during the Boise State University vs. University of Washington football game on September 5 and began running regularly in mid-October on national cable networks including The Food Network, CNN, Headline News, Fox News, The History Channel and The Cooking Channel. The commercial will air through early February and generate more than 550 million audience impressions.
Heather Cox, a college football sideline reporter who has been working with the IPC for three years made a cameo appearance as herself in the commercial. During football season, the Idaho resident helps generate excitement for Idaho® potatoes among college football fans and spud lovers across the country. Currently she is helping the IPC promote its first online tailgating recipe contest.
The Big Idaho® Potato Truck just completed its fourth cross-country journey. The tour began in 2012 as a one-year campaign to celebrate the IPC’s 75th anniversary and it was apparent from the start, based on the reaction from consumers, the industry and the media, that the truck would not be retiring anytime soon. Today, it’s a solid part of pop-culture that has visited 48 states, met millions of folks across the country and generated billions of media impressions.
To view the commercial online, please visit the IPC’s YouTube Channel.
Federal nutrition mandates have hurt the financial health of school meal programs, say 70 percent of U.S. school nutrition directors in a survey.
The survey by the National Harbor, Md.-based School Nutrition Association said 58 percent of those responding said school lunch participation declined under the new standards, with 93 percent of that group citing “decreased student acceptance of meals” as a factor in the decline, according to a news release about the poll.
The School Nutrition Association said the survey supports the argument for more funding and more flexibility in school meal nutrition requirements, including the mandate for a half a cup or fruit or vegetable at each reimbursable meal.
“School nutrition standards have resulted in many positive changes, but we cannot ignore the repercussions — the financial impact of these rules threatens school meal programs and their efforts to better serve students,” Jean Ronnei, SNS, SNA president and chief operations officer at Saint Paul Public Schools, Minn., said in the release. “To ensure programs remain financially sustainable for the children they serve, Congress must provide more funding and reasonable flexibility under the most stringent rules.”
The survey found nearly three in four school districts with a la carte service report decreased revenue since the 2014 Smart Snacks in School rules took effect, according to the release.
The report cited USDA statistics that the updated school nutrition standards have resulted in one million fewer students choose school lunch each day under the new rules.
About the SNA survey said eight in 10 school districts have attempted to offset losses with a variety of measures, according to the release, including:
- 49 percednt of districts have reduced staffing;
- 41 percent have diminished the meal program’s reserve fund;
- 36 percent have limited menu choices and variety; and
- 32 percent have deferred or canceled equipment investments.
“Schools are trying to expose students to a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, but faced with rising costs and shrinking revenue, many have been forced to limit pricey choices like snap peas and berries and serve more affordable options, like celery and juice,” Ronnei said in the release.
by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first citrus crop forecast for the 2015-2016 season, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released this statement:
“On the heels of the smallest orange crop in nearly 50 years last season, this initial citrus crop estimate confirms that Florida’s citrus industry is in a fight for its life. The health of Florida citrus is important to every Floridian – not just those who depend on it for their livelihoods. We will continue to fight to save the industry, its more than $10.7 billion economic impact and the more than 64,000 jobs it supports.”
Commissioner Adam H. Putnam has requested $18,700,000 from the Florida Legislature this year to support critical research, grow clean citrus stock, remove and replant diseased trees and more.
The USDA’s initial forecast of 80 million boxes of oranges, weighing 90 pounds each, is down 17 percent from last year season. This represents a decline of more than 67 percent since the peak of citrus production at 244 million boxes during the 1997-1998 season.
Heavy rains should keep pumpkin shipments lighter than usual around much of the country heading into Halloween (October 31st).
For example, Mike Pirrone Produce Inc., based in Capac, MI expects just 300 loads of pumpkins to be shipped this year This would be down from the 500 loads of pumpkins normally shipped.
West Texas pumpkin shippers have a similar story. If the prediction of 50 percent fewer shipments this season holds, it would be the lowest production in 20 years.
At Lusk Onion Co. of Clovis, N.M., average shipments are expected, but the product is maturing in smaller sizes than usual. The overall crop is being described as pretty average in volume, but the size is a little smaller.
There also have reports of pumpkin shippers in Indiana being particularly hit hard due to excessive spring rains.
Both North Carolina and South Carolina have taken hits in production thanks to Hurricane Joaquin and it’s drenching rains.
It’s difficult getting any current national production, or shipping numbers for pumpkins since about 40 states grow and ship the item, but mostly on a local and regional basis.
Apple shipments from West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania are forecast to increase over 41 million pounds this year across the three states, according to the USDA. Meanwhile, imports of Chilean blueberries continue to increase.
Pennsylvania apple shipments should see a 32-million pound increase over 2014.
Meanwhile, West Virginia apple shipments are expected to increase by 8 million pounds, while Maryland apple shipments are projected to have a 1.6 million-pound hike.
Pennsylvania, which had 493 million pounds of apples in 2014, ranked fourth among 29 major apple-producing states. West Virginia ranked ninth, with 82 million pounds last year.
Chilean Blueberry Imports
Chilean blueberry production will continue to grow during the 2015-16 season, and global exports of fresh blueberries will be in the range of 218 million to 241 million pounds. This means an increase of 7 to 19 percent over the previous season’s exports of 203 million pounds.
North America is by far the largest export market for Chilean blueberries, with 67 percent of Chilean blueberry exports landing in this market during the 2014-15 season. Europe comprised 23 percent of Chile’s fresh blueberry exports and Asia 10 percent.
Chile’s blueberry acreage continues to expand, with about 39,289 acres currently planted. In 2014-15, Chile exported a total of 34.1 million boxes, with over 19 million boxes shipped to North America. In 2015-16, exports to America are projected to exceed 20 million boxes and reach new historic highs.
The first export peak is expected to be similar in timing to 2014, with projected exports of 9-13 million pounds in December.
Texas citrus shipments from the Lower Rio Grande Valley are underway.
Shipping started the first full week of October and will continue until April. While volume is still light, it is increasing and should be “normal” heading into November.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley has about 28,000 acres of citrus trees. With new plantings, over 30,000 of trees or expected in the next few years. These new plantings should result in greater yields, which could mean a 10 percent increase in potential shipments over the next several years. About eight million cartons are expected to be shipped this year.
Broken down, those eight million cartons are comprised of about 75 percent red grapefruit and 25 percent oranges. Last year, Texas shipped about 7.8 million cartons of citrus.
Though some groves are still coming out of production, the Texas citrus industry is gaining acreage.
Two devastating freezes in the 1980s, urbanization, marketing conditions and other factors drastically reduced the number of acres devoted to citrus in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, where grapefruit flourished for decades. But in the past decade, investment in the industry has been on the rise, which has led to some consolidation and increased plantings.
Mexican fruit and vegetable imports at Pharr, Tx, plus South Texas citrus – grossing about $2400 to Chicago.
The Golden Gate Wholesale Produce Market will undergo a major renovation effort that will include a solar installation and other infrastructure, environmental, food safety, traffic and sustainability improvements for the first time since it was built in the 1960s.
Located in South San Francisco, the renovation is the most extensive in the market’s 53-year history and is designed to meet the changing needs of businesses located at the market and customers who shop there. By strengthening the market’s infrastructure and advancing its commitment to sustainability, it plans to create a better experience for everyone who works at or visits the market.
Located across the freeway from San Francisco International Airport, this 742,000-square-foot facility, is the largest and busiest produce terminal in Northern California. The state-of-the-art enhancements are planned over the next year and include new solar/energy efficiency upgrades, cold chain food storage management and worker safety systems, as well as smoother traffic flow within the facility.
Twenty-three independent and family-owned businesses operate at the market, including wholesalers, jobbers, commission merchants, brokers, foodservice distributors, processors and one restaurant. More than 15 million packages move through the market each year.