Archive For The “Trucking Reports” Category
Wisconsin red and yellow potato harvest is underway at Alsum Farms in Adams, WI., with the first loads being washed, graded, and packed for fresh-market delivery to distribution centers and retail grocers.
“The first harvest of yellow potatoes at Alsum Farms looks promising,” says Larry Alsum, President & CEO of Alsum Farms & Produce, based in Friesland, WI, in a press release.
Alsum Farms’ russet potato harvest will begin August 13 with the Russet Plover and Caribou varieties at the Arena, WI., farm.
Both early-season varieties will be the first new-crop russets harvested off the field, freshly washed, packed, and delivered to retail grocers throughout the Midwest and beyond. Yellow and purple fingerlings were ready for shipping start August 10. In addition, new-crop Wisconsin organic russet, red, and yellow potatoes were available for shipping August 3.
Alsum Farms grows, nurtures, and harvests farm-fresh potatoes that make their way to dinner tables across America through the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Program. This eco-friendly program has guided the farm’s sustainability practices since 1996. Alsum Farms follows the Healthy Grown Program’s regenerative agriculture approach, working to strengthen ecosystems and community resilience, and has dedicated 50 acres to prairie restoration and pollinator habitat to support a sustainably grown food supply.
“In 1992 we began farming, and by 1996 we helped establish the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Program,” says Alsum, a founding member of the program. “Since that time, the Healthy Grown Program has continued to guide our farm sustainability practices, utilizing Integrated Pest Management to efficiently manage inputs and implement conservation practices that enhance ecosystem health.”
With Alsum Farms in full swing harvesting new-crop Wisconsin Healthy Grown Certified russet, red, and yellow potatoes, now is an excellent time to offer customers farm-fresh, sustainably grown potatoes. The versatility and storability of fresh potatoes make this budget-friendly staple a go-to
vegetable for nutritious, delicious family meals.
Alsum offers a wide range of pack options, from 12 ounces up to 50-pound bags, in poly, mesh, paper, or cartons.
Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc. packs potatoes and onions under the Alsum Farms & Produce brand. Organic potatoes are packed under the Alsum Organics and Rainbow Organics labels, and unclassified potatoes under the Family Favorite brand.
For more than 50 years, Alsum Farms & Produce has been a leading grower and shipper of locally grown potatoes and onions, and a provider of fresh, quality produce.
About Alsum Farms & Produce
Alsum Farms & Produce Inc. is a leading fresh-market grower, packer, and shipper of Wisconsin-grown potatoes and onions, and a provider of fresh, quality produce. Established five decades ago and headquartered in Friesland, Wis., Alsum Farms & Produce is a vertically integrated, family-owned farm, packing facility, and logistics company. Committed to sustainability and stewardship of the soil, Alsum Farms grows 3,000 acres of Wisconsin Healthy Grown Certified potatoes, along with pumpkins.
The 2026 vegetable growing season in Salinas, CA is progressing much better that at this time last year.
Ippolito International of Salinas, CA reports Salinas vegetable crops are in excellent quality and in ample supply. The fields are in good shaping and the weather has supported crop growth at a manageable pace.
Steady supplies are expected with good volumes and pricing with strong demand for items such as Brussels sprouts and sweet baby broccoli, both of which are seeing strengthening demand year over year.
In 2025, the season saw inconsistent weather, with higher-than-normal temperatures and even some intermittent rain. That challenged supply levels as the company tried to produce a consistent, quality pack. This year, things seem to be moving along with a bit less drama.
However, Ippolito notes this year still has its challenges. February in the region was very warm which led to an earlier than normal Salinas harvest–10-14 days earlier than planned. That early start proved to be the biggest challenge this season. This has resulted in different crops each having their own peaks and valleys.
Hatch Chile loadings got underway in mid July pretty much on schedule, although with lighter volume. Overall volume is expected to be down slightly this season, according The Hatch Chile Store in Las Cruces, NM. The actual product is grown about 40 miles south of Las Cruces at Hatch, NM.
Volume this season will look a little lighter, particularly at the start of the season, due to some curly top that the plants developed which ultimately reduces yields.
The season is on schedule and small volumes were being shipped in mid July and have ramped up since. Shipments of chile peppers will continue until the end of October.
The Hatch Chile Store reports the earliest chile is always have a slightly shorter shelf life than the later chile. In September, the quality starts to go up and the seeded chile shipped in September and October has a longer shelf life. It’s easier to ship and there is less disease pressure because the days are cooler and the plants aren’t as stressed.
Watermelon volume across the U.S. has improved significantly throughout the first two weeks of July, following tight to short supplies for most of June. This was due primarily to a major shortfall in production from the Southern Arizona and California crops, and a much earlier end to spring production from Mexico, according to Stella Farms of Scottsdale, AZ.
The company reports production continues at above average levels from the Southeastern U.S. and new growing areas start in Missouri, North Carolina, and Central California, watermelon supply levels are now average, to above average, for this time of year.
However, overall supply is lower compared to this time last year when volumes were very, very high. Overall, supply is still about average from Western U.S. growing regions, and a bit above average from the Eastern U.S. growing regions.
In the East, production has transitioned from Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama to the next growing regions in North Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas, and that transition is going smoothly with all new regions starting on time, as expected. There also is production which started recently from Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, and Delaware, which is on time, if not a little early.
Shipments of finger limes from California got underway in late May, which is an early start, according to Shanley Farms of Morro Bay, CA as the company is sending produce to both domestic and international markets.
This year’s production looks similar to a year ago. Steady volumes of finger limes are expected through December barring any extreme weather conditions. Peak loadings typically occur in the fall.
Shanley Farms this season has formed a partnership with Fruition Sales of Orange Cove, CA which is now handling sales. This allows Shanley to focus on the growing side of the business.
California’s San Joaquin Central Valley hit peak shipments about three weeks ago with good supply on field bell peppers.
Baloian Farms of Fresno, CA reports an early start from Fresno, which was about two weeks earlier than normal.
Coastal bell pepper supplies also underway with an earlier than usual start.
Overall, the vegetable grower/shipper has similar volume to last year. How long the season will run is up in the air. If there is cooler weather in the fall, the season show go longer. However, it could be an early end to the season because of the early start.
Bell pepper shipments also have started in the in the Carolinas, while Georgia has finished up production. Other regions such as Tennessee and New Jersey also have starting and Canadian field production is also underway.
New York cabbage shipments got underway the second week of July, pretty much on time, relates Hansen Farms of Stanley, NY.
New York started after the main growing regions of North Carolina and Georgia finished up. Michigan may have started a little earlier than New York, plus there is Canadian production. All of this is leaving supply average though it is developing.
A significant part of Hansen Farms’ business is with contract customers. The company notes high fuel rates are difficult for growers and shippers. However, those costs also are hurting everyone from the consumer back to the farm. Processors and receivers are having to pay extra money for trucks, noting that the company is currently installing a new packing line for retail packs which should help with efficiency.
Greg Paul Produce Sales of Stockton, CA began shipping potatoes about two weeks earlier than usual this season and expects to continue until September 5.
The strategy was for some of the shipper’s proprietary varieties to get into an earlier window than they have in the past and it it successfully worked out.
The company has a minor increase in acreage because of some field rotation ability. However overall in Northern California, there was a significant acreage decrease following the departure of a major grower/shipper/packer in the region with approximately 1,000 acres going out of business last year.
n turn, demand is expected to be strong for red, white and gold potatoes for a number of reasons, including the closure of that business.
The current Russet potato situation is also factoring into that demand. While Russets are not a type of potato the company grows/ships, what happens with this variety impacts the category given its dominance in the category.
The lightest volume in Mexican mango shipments to the U.S. in recent years is occurring as production continues to fall well below historical levels. While mangos remain available, reduced production has limited promotional opportunities and pushed prices sharply higher, according to Continental Fresh of Miami, FL.
Volumes from Mexico are down substantially compared to a normal year. Recent production in one week ran about 44 percent below the same week last year. Shortages are being felt throughout the supply chain.
The smaller crop is primarily the result of poor flowering and unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the season, particularly across western Mexico, where several key production regions have harvested significantly fewer boxes than expected.
At present, Mexico is the only significant origin supplying fresh mangos to the U.S. market, leaving buyers with few alternatives. As a result, growers and shippers are carefully managing inventories to fulfill existing retail and foodservice commitments rather than pursuing additional spot market opportunities.
A prolonged heat event is expected to impact the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys this week, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s and low 100s in inland growing areas. Persistent heat stress is expected to accelerate crop maturity and create additional quality and shelf-life challenges across several commodities, according to a July 28 press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Markon inspectors are monitoring commodity and value-added items closely for heat-related challenges such as:
Strawberries
- Increase in soft fruit and bruising susceptibility
- Reduced shelf-life potential
- Lower yields
- Smaller berry size
Broccoli
- Increased hollow core and/or pin rot
- Higher Diamondback Moth pressure
Lettuce (Iceberg, Romaine, Green Leaf)
- Dehydration
- Increased long core/seeder, and internal burn pressure
- Stronger insect pressure (aphid, gnats, lygus, thrip)
- Greater variability in case weights due to additional trimming
- Premature pinking in value-added salads
- Reduced shelf-life potential
Tender Leaf Items
- Accelerated growth leading to weaker cell structure
- Increased yellowing, dehydration, and seeder development (arugula, cilantro)
- Reduced shelf-life potential
Impacts from the heat wave could last for over two weeks. Ordering for quick turns is highly recommended and as always, strict cold-chain management is critical for maximizing quality and shelf-life.