NoKota Packers Inc., based in Buxton, ND, is ahead of its five-year average in packing its red storage potatoes, company president Steve Tweten said Dec. 28.

"We are doing real well" in moving the 2010 crop, he said. Despite strong early movement, “We always ship into the spring. We still plan to take care of our customers.”

NoKota will ship into either April or May, depending upon demand.

“Quality is looking good,” he said. “We still have a lot of good potatoes.”

While Red River Valley red potato growers have enjoyed "fairly strong markets for the last few years, there have been struggles producing what you would call a normal to large crop," according to Randy Boushey, general manager of A&L Potato Co., located in E. Grand Forks, MN.

In mid-January, Peatland Reds Inc., located in Trail, MN, will be "cranking up" its red potato packing operation again. The company took a break from packing in December to install a new “Odenberg” automated grader. It was a good time to take a break, too, noted Dennis Magnell, the firm's manager and a partner, because prices were expected to rise and it was difficult to find truck transportation in December.

"We have had a fantastic year as far movement," said Cory Seim, a salesman for Northern Valley Growers, a red potato grower-shipper based in Hoople, ND.

Mr. Seim told The Produce News Dec. 24 that good prices have stayed and that “we are looking for an early finish. A lot of sheds in the valley are. We moved record amounts in October and November, so it was a very good year. I hope to finish in the middle of March. Typically, we go usually until around May 1.”

Valentine's Day is almost a month away, but the rush is in full swing with its fast pace and frenetic demands. It’s time to sharpen our problem-solving skills so we can service our customers throughout the floral supply chain.

Valentine’s Day is the biggest floral sales event of the year. It puts a strain on the entire system, but supermarket floral departments can capitalize on this seasonal windfall by detailed planning and accurate forecasting. In other words, solve small problems before they turn into big ones.