BELLE GLADE, FL - Florida is expecting a 5 percent chance of rain with temps ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-60s. Oxnard temps range from the mid-40s to high-60s and mostly sunny. Coachella temps range from the mid-40s to the mid-70s and sunny. Yuma temps range from the mid-40s to the mid-70s with sunny skies and some winds.
West Coast
Celery market, movement, and demand are steady. The company is seeing abundant Iceberg supplies available with fair demand. Regular Romaine and Romaine Heart movement is good as market pricing is hovering in the low-to mid-teens. Heavy supplies of green leaf and red leaf are available with fair demand. There is an overabundance of broccoli and cauliflower industry-wide with little demand, causing both broccoli and cauliflower to remain stagnant.
Florida is expecting a 5 percent chance of rain with temps ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-60s
East Coast
Harvest has started for both organic celery and organic Romaine Hearts, and the quality of both has been great, a release noted. The outlook for organic Romaine Hearts is strong for the next few weeks. Radish harvest and quality remain steady with promotional volumes for January. Corn volume continues to increase, and quality remains strong. Promotional opportunities are available for value-added corn. Leaf and lettuce volumes remain strong with high yields and excellent quality. Lastly, conventional celery crop quality remains good with good taste and quality.
Rob Atchley, Vice President of Eastern Vegetable Operations, Duda Farm Fresh Foods
Meet Rob Atchley, Vice President of Eastern Vegetable Operations
Q: How did you get started at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, how long have you been with the company, and what is your current role?
A: My current role is VP of Vegetable Operations. I primarily oversee our Eastern vegetable operations in Florida, Georgia, and Michigan. In addition, I am responsible for Duda’s sugarcane business and our remaining citrus groves. This is my third season with the vegetable operation, but I have been farming with Duda for over 26 years beginning as a citrus grove supervisor and progressing to a CP in the Ranches division before joining Duda Farm Fresh Foods. In my time, I have held responsibilities for the before-mentioned ag operations across South Florida and our South Texas citrus groves from 2006–2013.
Q: What does your typical workday look like and what are you responsible for?
A: My days consist of working with our division managers across our farming operations to make sure they have the tools needed to chase our business plans. I primarily split my time between offices in LaBelle and Belle Glade.
