Market Minute: Promote fall harvest produce
Market Minute: Promote fall harvest produce
There is a folklore belief that when the temperatures start to drop and create a chill in the autumn air, you should try to catch a falling leaf. Then keep the leaf in a safe spot until spring. When doing so, it is said to avoid catching a cold. And to further experience a lucky year, try to catch a dozen leaves, which superstitiously will bring good fortune a month for each leaf captured. 
Early September's transition from summer to the fall harvest period is a time for decorating. This is a perfect time to add autumn ambiance to draw customers into the produce department.
Don’t wait until October to start handling items like pumpkins, gourds, hard squash and pomegranates. Start building those nice colorful fall displays now — and don’t forget the vibrant, multicolored ornamental corn, which is a symbol of the American harvest season.
Suppliers are already shipping pumpkins of all types: white, multicolored and even heirloom varieties. Quality is looking very good with various sizes and shipping containers, especially decorative bins.
Besides the pumpkins and gourd type items, California is ready to start the pomegranate season with the decorative bins of excellent quality product. The crop looks great with plenty of pomegranates to promote throughout the fall season.
Persimmons are another fall favorite, and they are now being shipped out of California. Quality and sizes are outstanding as usual.
If space allows, plan an outdoor fall season display of all items from apples to pumpkins. Used bins, wooden crates or just original shipping containers to set up an attractive fall presentation. And don’t forget the corn stalks for a nice background eye-catcher.
Get your information on items from your suppliers and ramp up those displays now.
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].
