Market Minute: What to promote now that it’s grilling time

The hot summer days are here — and it's time to get grilling in your outdoor kitchen. There’s just something exciting about the aroma of a smoke-filled backyard and the crackling sound coming off the grill. It brings family and friends together to enjoy food and create good memories. Grilling is more that just cooking; it’s a way of life and a ritual.

Here are some basic vegetables ready for grilling promotions:

Green Zucchini Squash: A strong eastern demand and good quality. The market is starting to increase. The western volume and markets are steady with good quality.

Green Peppers: There are good eastern supplies available. The demand is good with a steady market. The eastern heat wave raised the market a bit and created some quality issues. The western area is going through a transition to the new crop.

Asparagus: There is weak demand while Peruvian supplies are strong and remain steady. Weather may affect some Mexican product in the short term. There is an increase in the Baja California region. This is a good time to promote.

Mushrooms: There are plenty of mushrooms available with good quality for ad promotions. Great item for grilling.

Onions: Quality from all areas is good and volumes are plentiful on red, white and yellow onions. New crops coming out of California and New Mexico.

Sweet Corn: Eastern and western regions are in good demand with a steady market. The quality and supplies out of Florida and Georgia are excellent. There is a transition to another growing area in California with a slightly increased market. The quality all around has been excellent.

Eggplant: Eastern production is plentiful with good quality. The market is steady on good demand. Western production is good on a slightly lower market.

Tomatoes: Markets are steady with Mexico volume shipping larger sizes. All varieties remain available with good quality. Snacking tomatoes are ideal for grilling.

Get together with your veggie suppliers and plan a grilling section ad promotion of as many items as you can incorporate to generate sales.

Ron Pelger is a produce industry adviser and industry writer. He can be contacted at 775/843-2394 or by e-mail at [email protected].