SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, CA - Whether raw in potato and garden salads or fresh off the grill, onions are an excellent source of summer flavor. But how does the market measure up?

According to the latest report from PRO*ACT’s The Source, the trucking market where onion crops are starting to come into full swing is steady with the exception of New Mexico, with advanced bookings highly encouraged.

In addition to New Mexico, onions from California are currently available, shifting from the desert to the San Joaquin Valley. There, The Source notes light supply but low pricing and good quality.

Onion seasons in Texas and Georgia are winding down, while Mexico will continue production through the end of the month.

It is a shift fresh enough that Los Angeles Terminal Market was showing pricing out of Imperial Valley, with San Joaquin’s still to come.

California Imperial Valley red globe-type onions (25 lb sacks):

• Jumbo: 9.00-11.00
• Medium: 9.00-11.00

California Imperial Valley yellow grano-type (50 lb sacks):

• Super colossal: 14.00-15.00
• Colossal: 13.00-14.00
• Jumbo: 12.00-13.00
• Medium: 11.00-12.00

California Imperial Valley white onions (50 lb sacks):

• Jumbo: 17.00-18.00
• Medium: 17.00-18.00

The USDA noted these are prices quoted that cover sales by primary receivers of overall supplies on wholesale lots and are on stock of generally good merchantable quality and condition unless otherwise stated.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report this and other dynamic fresh categories throughout our industry.

SALINAS, CA - Reports see the dynamic leafy market “firming up,” a rare promise in this corner of our industry.

While the market for Romaine, as well as green and red leaf, is solidifying, PRO*ACT’s The Source recently reported Romaine hearts are more active, and lighter supplies are still expected. Fringe and tip burn have been reported on arrivals, though only minimally.

Overall quality remains above average, with good weights and sizing across all leaf items. Supplies are moderate throughout the week—expect higher pricing by next week, per additional sources.

The USDA, reporting from the Los Angeles Terminal, noted Romaine cartons, 12 three-count packages, hearts out of the California central coast at 24.00-24.50, with one label as high as 32.00, fair appearance; 20.50-21.50 cartons film lined.

24s were reported 23.00-23.50, fair appearance/holdovers at 20.50-21.50. Hearts 48s were noted 32.00-32.50.

The USDA clarified that prices quoted cover sales by primary receivers of overall supplies on wholesale lots. Current FOB prices from additional suppliers could vary.
 

SALINAS, CA - Good availability with flexible pricing from some shippers is the call of the day for an ever-dynamic California Iceberg market. As PRO*ACT’s The Source recently reported, there has been minimal feedback of slightly misshapen heads and minor outer leaf discoloration.

Demand exceeds supply right now. Supplies will be short and pricing will be higher next week, according to additional sources. Weights are ranging from 39 to 44 pounds, with some high pricing out of Santa Maria and Salinas, but fair quality.

As to additional anticipations regarding weather, the San Joaquin Valley temps should reach the 90s by this coming Wednesday. Morning lows will be in the low-mid 60s Saturday, remaining so through early next week, according to Weather Mission.

What will the coming weeks hold as we welcome the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere? AndNowUKnow will be sure to report.

LOS ANGELES, CA - Wonderful Halos mandarins, Wonderful Pistachios No Shells Dill Pickle, and POM Wonderful Pomegranate Arils have been selected as winners of Good Housekeeping's 2025 Best Snack Awards!

Wonderful Halos won in the Produce category for the first time ever, highlighting Halos as an easy-win snack that is sweet, seedless, and easy to peel. Wonderful Pistachios' newest flavor No Shells Dill Pickle won in the Nuts & Seeds category. This bold new addition taps into the popular pickle flavor trend, offering a tangy twist that appeals to both pistachio lovers and fans of pickle-inspired snacks. POM Wonderful’s sweet, tart, and conveniently packaged Pomegranate Arils won in the Produce category for the third year in a row.

Good Housekeeping’s annual Best Snack Awards highlight snacks that meet top-notch nutritional criteria (including caps on per-serving calories, sugar, and sodium). The magazine’s in-house Registered Dietitian and team of food and nutrition experts rigorously analyze ingredient lists, nutrition fact labels, packaging claims, and flavor profiles of hundreds of snacks to find the best healthy snacks. Consumer testers also weighed in on taste and provided additional real-life analysis.

Please find the full list of winners for Good Housekeeping here.

CALIFORNIA - The latest industry reports on the strawberry sector have noted moderate demand and a slightly higher market as volume comes in from Salinas/Watsonville and Santa Maria, California.

The Salinas/Watsonville growing region is currently at peak production, which will last for another week before volume begins to trend downward slowly. Growers have reported good quality.

Demand has shifted to the Salinas/Watsonville region as the Santa Maria spring crop concludes. This shift in demand will continue until the Santa Maria fall crop ramps up volume in mid-August.

In terms of pricing, the United States Department of Agriculture reported the following in its National FOB Review (June 20, 2025):

• Salinas/Watsonville Shipping Point: Market slightly higher. (Includes palletizing and cooling.) flats 8 1-lb containers with lids medium 10.00-12.00 (wide range in prices) occasional higher and lower. ORGANIC flats 8 1-lb containers with lids medium 12.00-16.00 (wide range in prices) few 16.00 occasional lower
• Santa Maria District: Market slightly higher. (Includes palletizing and cooling.) flats 8 1-lb containers with lids medium 10.00-12.00 occasional higher and lower. Previous commitments higher. Some fruit is diverted to the processor. ORGANIC flats 8 1-lb containers with lids medium 12.00-16.00 (wide range in prices) few 16.00 occasional lower

ANUK will continue to monitor the latest pricing reports across all fresh produce categories, so stick around for more updates.

FRESNO, CA - Born in 1944, founding member of Famous Software, John Steven Dietz passed away earlier in 2025 after an 8-year battle with cancer.

“John was such a wonderful person, valued mentor, and beloved partner,” describes Kirk Parrish, Managing Partner at Famous Software. “I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with John from 1986 to 2001. During that time John shared his life and professional experience with me and so many others at Famous Software. John’s tenacity and focus had a profound impact on the success of Famous Software and the development of our talented staff. My chance meeting in 1986 evolved into a lifelong friendship.”

John joined Wayne Holm in 1980 to create what is today, Famous Software. For more than 50 years, Famous Software has served the needs of the fresh produce industry built upon the strong foundation of reliable data and customer centricity and an understanding that the job is never done. Holm and Dietz were both focused on providing the highest level of quality products and services to the fresh product industry. That commitment to the industry continues to drive the decisions Famous makes every day as a company.

Parrish recalls a comment Dietz made to him after a visit in September of 2024, “I was a grinder, and grinders start companies and work hard, but they also need the help of others to grow a business.” That level of humility exemplifies Dietz’ philosophy in life and his career. Even after his retirement in 2001, Dietz spent countless hours teaching religious education to high school students through the Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Las Vegas until chemotherapy forced him to give it up.

“He always prayed for the continued success of Famous Software,” Parrish continues. “Many of our current team members at Famous remember his legacy fondly and hold a profound respect for the work John and Wayne started. While we owe them a debt of gratitude for their service to this industry, we also strive to embody the values they founded this great company on, humility and service.”

Dietz’ passing was marked by a memorial service in early May near his home in Nevada. He is survived by his beloved wife, Judy, and children: Cheryl Dietz Villa, Nick Dietz, Alex Dietz, as well as numerous other family members who were there by his side at the end.