The transition of lettuce production from the “Winter Salad Bowl” to the “Salad Bowl of America” in Salinas, California, involves a seasonal shift driven by environmental conditions optimal for growing different crops.
During the winter, lettuce production is concentrated in the desert regions of southeast California and southwest Arizona, with the major hub being Yuma, Arizona. This area is known as the “Winter Salad Bowl” because it produces nearly all the leafy vegetables, including lettuce, consumed in the United States during the winter months. The conditions here are ideal for winter farming due to the sunny climate and the well-irrigated land in the Colorado River lowlands.
Get the clearest, most accurate view of the truckload marketplace with data from DAT iQ.
Tune into DAT iQ Live, live on YouTube or LinkedIn, 10am ET every Tuesday.
As winter ends, lettuce production shifts back to California’s Salinas Valley, referred to as “America’s Salad Bowl.” This transition ensures the continuous production of leafy greens throughout the year, as Salinas offers the best conditions for growing these crops during the warmer months. The move typically involves relocating entire farm operations, including staff and equipment, to align with the favorable growing seasons of each region.
This logistical change is significant as it impacts the availability and distribution of fresh produce across the country, ensuring that consumers have a consistent supply of lettuce and other leafy greens year-round.
Load-to-Truck Ratio
Reefer load post volumes decreased for the fourth week following last week’s 3% decline. Last week’s reefer load-to-truck ratio (LTR) was down slightly at 6.92.
Spot rates
Reefer linehaul rates were flat last week, paying carriers an average of $1.89/mile on a 2% higher volume. After being higher than last year since the end of January, reefer spot rates are identical to last year and $0.03/mile higher than 2019. Reefer spot rates have decreased by 13% year-to-date (YTD), which is identical to the YTD seasonal decline over the last eight years in the leadup to produce season.
