Picture this: rolling green hills blanketed with lush fields on either side of a miles-long river set between two mountain ranges. The West Coast Salinas Valley in California, or what some refer to as the “Salad Bowl of The World,” is a rich agricultural hub where hundreds of thousands of pounds of leafy vegetables are grown every year. Starting in the warm spring months, vast bundles of lettuce, spinach, and broccoli are harvested here before the climate turns wet and the majority of the nation’s production shifts south in the winter to other farmlands in the Imperial Valley or around Yuma, Arizona.
Understanding the unique geography and rhythm of America’s harvest seasons is a crucial element of navigating produce shipping. VCPB Transportation offers decades of logistics experience in the hauling of perishables, alongside the latest technology in temperature control and real-time shipment tracking.
For typical American consumers, their supermarkets are stocked with whatever fruits or vegetables they need, regardless of the time of year. But for growers, meeting demand means grappling with the delicate dance in which produce yields shifts from one geographic area to another. These transitions are caused by weather conditions and temperatures changing across different agricultural regions primarily between the spring and fall months, Crook Brothers, one produce distributor, recently detailed.
The Salinas Valley and Imperial/Yuma fields all depend upon favorable weather because unexpected heat, frost, or floods can impact crop production, and subsequently complicate the logistics of the harvesting, transportation, and packaging operations that correspond to each specific region and season.
“Around November and April, the major growing areas in Yuma and Salinas alternate, and it’s a big deal in the produce industry,” according to FreshPoint, another North American-based produce shipper. “Entire harvesting and processing operations pick up and move — from the equipment to the hard working harvesters. It’s a monumental operational and logistical feat.”
Hungry for fresh apricots? They’re typically harvested in California between June and July. Want fresh cucumbers? Check store shelves in November and December. Oranges are collected from January to May, while fennel, carrots, and beets are reaped all year round in the Golden State, California’s Harvest Calendar shows.
So many important produce items are grown and harvested across California’s lands thanks to its beloved climate conditions, but Monterey County — where the Salinas Valley is located — stands out in that it generated $4.3 billion worth of agricultural production in 2023 alone, Blue Book, a produce industry information agency recently reported.
The Salinas Valley landscape lends Monterey County its dominant position in agriculture, but that also means the region’s industry is “always at the mercy of Mother Nature,” as Blue Book described.
Extreme temperatures, droughts, and floods can harm crop yields and quality, which leads to fluctuating demand for refrigerated trucks. Pests, like lettuce-currant aphids, are also prone to damage crops and leave them unsellable when pesticides pose too many health risks to consumers and the local ecosystem.
Heading into this growing season, the industry faces further challenges from the impact of tariffs, immigration raids targeting agricultural workers, and ongoing inflation, Blue Book further reported. Growers also must adapt to rapidly changing consumer tastes.
Norm Groot, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, told Blue Book that his labor costs have surged in recent years, but he credited social media influencers for the growing interest in Brussels sprouts: “I call it ‘what’s in fashion’ for what people are eating this year.”
Fortunately for the trucking industry, peak growing season means a surge in demand and an opportunity for higher rates and revenues. But as the EatingHealthyPlan blog highlighted, hauling companies and owner-operators must be prepared to meet the challenges that come with accommodating shifts in the production season, like hiring more drivers and having the right transport equipment available.
A key tool in the produce supply chain is refrigerated trucks, which require consistent maintenance but keep perishable commodities fresh. Reefer trucks are crucial for logistics partners’ compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act as it regulates specific temperature and humidity controls — often 85-85% humidity, but sometimes lower for root crops — for the safe transportation of produce across huge distances.
Likewise, drivers must have proper training to guide these high-tech trucks on carefully planned routes. By employing advanced monitoring systems, carriers and brokers can minimize delays and prevent spoilage. Maintaining a proactive approach to produce transportation helps build trust with customers.
California’s Salinas Valley plays a vital role in supplying America’s kitchens with delicious greens and fresh produce. But as seasons change, so too do growing regions, posing logistical challenges to an already challenged supply chain that requires expert coordination to ensure perishable products reach their destinations in top condition. VCPB Transportation remains a trusted partner for carriers and brokers by blending decades of produce logistics experience with cutting-edge technology, including:
Start shipping with VCPB Transportation today to ensure your perishables move smoothly from field to shelf — on time, on spec, and at peak freshness.
VCPB Transportation
600 Meadowlands Pkwy Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 770-0111
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