Lettuce

Commodity Overview

Lettuce is a weekly purchase in many homes as it provides a base for salads, a topping for sandwiches and is an essential part of tacos and other entrees. Provide shoppers with plenty of lettuce options to create the most sales in the category.

PLUs

4631 bibb
4632 boston/butterhead
3098 red boston
4076 green leaf
4633 hydroponic
4634 iceberg, East
4061 iceberg, West
4075 red leaf

Varieties

Green Leaf Lettuce

Iceberg Lettuce

Red Leaf Lettuce

Boston/Butterhead Lettuce

Bibb Lettuce

Loose-leaf Lettuce

Living Lettuce

Retail Price Data is based on USDA Specialty Crops Market News surveys. Data collection ends on the report date and encompasses ad pricing good from the Saturday before the report release date through the following Friday. Weekly data - from over 400 retailers, comprising more than 30,000 individual stores with online weekly advertised features - covers over 250 produce items. Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

USDA Specialty Crops Market News publishes FOB and Movement data on a daily and weekly basis. Pricing and volume information is aggregated by commodity and published weekly, subject to any source-data adjustments. Commodity data is further processed based on origin (domestic vs imports) and type (regular vs. organic). Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

Facts

Lettuce, especially leaf lettuce contains a host of nutrients that can help keep you healthy. Eating leaf lettuce can help keep your eyes and skin healthy because it contains vitamin A. Leaf lettuce is a good source of folate, which can help prevent birth defects. Beta-carotene is found in many leafy greens. Beta-carotene helps prevent cancer, heart disease and cataracts. Lettuce also contains iron, which can help prevent anemia.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following nutrient content descriptors for iceberg lettuce: fat-free, saturated fat-free, very low sodium, cholesterol-free, and low in calories. The following have been approved for leaf lettuce: fat-free, saturated fat-free, low in sodium, cholesterol-free, low in calories, high in vitamin A and a good source of folate (add 15% folate to label.)

Sales Strategies

Cross-merchandise endive and escarole with salad dressing, croutons, salad toppings and other leafy greens.
Endive and escarole are available for most of the year. Include them in promotions in all seasons.
Fall: Include endive and escarole in fall soup and stew promotions. They add flavor and texture to soup.
Winter: Encourage consumers to try endive and escarole as a base for holiday salads. The greens create a new flavor and offer a touch of the gourmet.
Spring: Include endive and escarole in Easter promotions along with other leafy greens as a base for a springtime holiday salad.
Summer: Promote endive and escarole in summertime promotions for other greens like collard and mustard greens. Escarole can be boiled and served as a side dish like kale.
Create promotions that include the whole leafy green category, which will encourage consumers to add more than one green to their salad.

Dynamic Displays

Include plenty of variety in your display. Some good options include green leaf, red leaf, iceberg and butterhead. Make sure varieties are clearly labeled.
Unpackaged lettuce needs to be misted to keep it looking fresh. Remove any wilted product from your display immediately.
Make lettuce the centerpiece of your salad vegetable display. Create color contrast by placing carrots, tomatoes and lemons on the sides of your lettuce display.

Food Service

Lettuce is an obvious staple on the salad bar. Create visual interest on the salad bar by cutting lettuce into different shapes, such as chunks, rafts, wedges or shreds.
Add lettuce wraps to your menu to attract the carb-conscious consumer.
Mix several varieties of lettuce together in a salad. The different colors and flavors create visual as well as taste interest.
Garnish a plate with a large piece of leaf lettuce.
Use lettuce as a topping for sandwiches and burgers.

In the Backroom

Shipping
Endive/escarole 10- to 15-lb. cartons, 12 count 22- to 27-lb. cartons, 24 count RPC 6419, 6423, 6425, 6426, 6428

Grades
Endive U.S. No. 1 Escarole U.S. No. 1 Not all escarole is graded. Ungraded escarole is called “unclassified.”

Handling
Endive/escarole Temperature: 32 F, 0 C Relative humidity: 90-95% Mist: lightly Typical shelf life: 14 to 21 days Cracked ice in or around cases helps maintain freshness. To prevent wilting, keep endive/escarole at its proper temperature and away from drafts. Avoid storing near cooler fans.

Equivalents

One average head of lettuce will yield: shredded = 2½ quarts rafts = 3 to 4 rafts chunks = 21⁄3 to 3 quarts wedges = 4 to 6 wedges torn pieces = 2½ quarts

Ruhlig Farms LLC

Overview (3) (3) (1)

Business Type:

Grower

Location HQ:

Carleton, 48117 Michigan

Phone:

+1 734-587-2884

Fax:

+1 734-587-2884

Website:

ruhligfarms.weebly.com

Commodities:

Melons (1), Cooking Vegetables (8), Salad Vegetables (1)

JW Farms Organic Inc

Overview (1) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Watsonville, 95076-4838 California

Phone:

+1 831-288-0505

Fax:

+1 831-288-0575

Website:

jwfarms.com

Commodities:

Berries (10)

Courchesne Larose Ltee

Overview (53) (4) (10)

Business Type:

Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Montreal, H1J 0A6 Quebec

Phone:

+1 514-525-6381

Fax:

+1 514-525-1084

Website:

www.courchesnelarose.com

Commodities:

Citrus (1), Deciduous Fruit (3), Melons (2), Tropical Fruit (3), Cooking Vegetables (1)

Schwartz, Ben B., & Sons, Inc.

Overview (12) (0) (5)

Business Type:

Trucking

Location HQ:

Detroit, 48209-2977 Michigan

Phone:

+1 313-841-8300

Fax:

+1 313-841-1253

Website:

www.benbdetroit.com

Commodities:

Berries (3), Deciduous Fruit (1), Melons (1), Stone Fruit (1), Tropical Fruit (2), Cooking Vegetables (2)

Sunterra Distribution LLC

Overview (3) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Dallas, 75201 Texas

Phone:

+1 469-547-6161

Website:

www.sunterraproduce.com

Commodities:

Berries (10)

Grande Produce Ltd Co

Overview (15) (0) (5)

Business Type:

Broker

Location HQ:

San Juan, 78589 Texas

Phone:

+1 956-283-7770

Fax:

+1 956-283-7781

Website:

www.grandeproduce.com

Commodities:

Cooking Vegetables (1), Specialties (9)

Coosemans LA Inc

Overview (9) (8) (5)

Business Type:

Shipper

Location HQ:

Los Angeles, 90021 California

Phone:

+1 213-689-1551

Fax:

+1 213-689-1583

Website:

www.coosemansla.com

Commodities:

Berries (5), Citrus (3), Deciduous Fruit (2)

M. Levin and Company, Inc.

Overview (3) (0) (12)

Business Type:

Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Philadelphia, 19153 Pennsylvania

Phone:

+1 215-336-2900

Fax:

+1 215-755-6757

Website:

www.mlevinco.com

Commodities:

Berries (6), Citrus (4)

Happy Dirt

Overview (5) (11) (0)

Business Type:

Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Durham, 27703 North Carolina

Phone:

+1 919-542-3264

Website:

www.happydirt.com

Commodities:

Berries (4), Melons (3), Stone Fruit (3)

Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc HQ

Overview (36) (0) (4)

Business Type:

Grower

Location HQ:

Salinas, 93901 California

Phone:

+1 831-424-6408

Fax:

+1 831-757-5078

Website:

www.dudafresh.com

Commodities:

Salad Vegetables (7)

Classic Salads LLC

Overview (10) (1) (1)

Business Type:

Processor

Location HQ:

Watsonville, 95076 California

Phone:

+1 831-763-4520,+1 928-726-6198

Fax:

+1 831-763-1542

Website:

www.classicsalads.com

Commodities:

Salad Vegetables (7), Cooking Vegetables (3)

Nickey Gregory Company, Inc.

Overview (28) (0) (12)

Business Type:

Trucking

Location HQ:

Forest Park, 30297 Georgia

Phone:

+1 404-366-7410

Fax:

+1 404-366-1865

Website:

www.nickeygregory.com

Commodities:

Berries (1), Citrus (1), Deciduous Fruit (2), Stone Fruit (1), Cooking Vegetables (3), Salad Vegetables (2)

S Strock & Co., Inc.

Overview (15) (4) (12)

Business Type:

Shipper

Location HQ:

Boston, 02150 Massachusetts

Phone:

+1 617-884-0263

Fax:

+1 617-884-7310

Website:

www.strock.com

Commodities:

Berries (5), Citrus (5)

UNFI Produce - Headquarters

Overview (35) (0) (7)

Business Type:

Shipper

Location HQ:

Providence, 02908-5637 Rhode Island

Phone:

+1 856-241-9090,+1 800-899-5944

Fax:

+1 866-386-2371

Website:

www.unfifresh.com

Commodities:

Berries (1), Deciduous Fruit (5), Stone Fruit (4)

Texas Green Star LLC

Overview (4) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Grower

Location HQ:

Sanger, 76266 Texas

Phone:

+1 940-536-9141

Website:

www.texasgreenstar.com

Commodities:

Cooking Vegetables (7), Specialties (2), Salad Vegetables (1)

A & Z Produce

Overview (3) (0) (10)

Business Type:

Broker

Location HQ:

North Salt Lake, 84054 Utah

Phone:

+1 801-359-2081

Fax:

+1 801-532-3859

Website:

www.azproduce.net

Commodities:

Berries (6), Deciduous Fruit (4)

Ratto Bros., Inc.

Overview (9) (0) (1)

Business Type:

Grower

Location HQ:

Modesto, 95358 California

Phone:

+1 209-545-7575

Fax:

+1 209-545-7579

Website:

www.rattobros.com

Commodities:

Cooking Vegetables (6), Specialties (4)

TLC Custom Farming LLC

Overview (1) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Grower

Location HQ:

Yuma, 85364 Arizona

Phone:

+1 928-726-1541

Website:

www.tlcfarming.com

Commodities:

Cooking Vegetables (4), Salad Vegetables (6)

Valley Fruit and Produce/Continental Export

Overview (1) (1) (11)

Business Type:

Exporter

Location HQ:

Los Angeles, 90021-1616 California

Phone:

+1 213-627-8736 - Ext. 1330

Website:

www.valleyproduce.com

Commodities:

Berries (6), Citrus (4)

Western Veg-Produce Inc

Overview (2) (0) (4)

Business Type:

Exporter

Location HQ:

Bakersfield, 93308 California

Phone:

+1 661-637-2362, +1 800-983-4776

Fax:

+1 661-637-2365

Website:

www.wvegpro.com

Commodities:

Berries (1), Cooking Vegetables (5), Salad Vegetables (2)

Our Members have paid for their listing to appear here. So, you want to be awesome, too? Contact our Customer Success Team

JW Farms Organic Inc

Overview (1) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Watsonville, 95076-4838 California

Berries:

Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Gold Raspberries, Red Raspberries, Specialty Berries, Red Currants, Kiwiberries

Progressive Produce LLC

Overview (10) (7) (5)

Business Type:

Grower, Shipper, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Los Angeles, 90040 California

Citrus:

Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Oranges

Cooking Vegetables:

Asparagus, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Herbs, Onions, Bulb, Onions, Sweet

Coast Produce Company

Overview (5) (0) (9)

Business Type:

Broker, Shipper, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Los Angeles, 90021 California

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries

Deciduous Fruit:

Apples, Asian Pears, Grapes, Pomegranates

Melons:

Cantaloupe

Stone Fruit:

Cherries, Nectarines, Peaches

Courchesne Larose Ltee

Overview (53) (4) (10)

Business Type:

Importer, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Montreal, H1J 0A6 Quebec

Citrus:

Grapefruit

Deciduous Fruit:

Apples, Grapes, Pears

Melons:

Cantaloupe, Watermelon

Tropical Fruit:

Bananas, Mangoes, Pineapple

Cooking Vegetables:

Asparagus

Schwartz, Ben B., & Sons, Inc.

Overview (12) (0) (5)

Business Type:

Broker, Importer, Wholesaler, Trucking

Location HQ:

Detroit, 48209-2977 Michigan

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Strawberries

Deciduous Fruit:

Pomegranates

Melons:

Cantaloupe

Stone Fruit:

Apricots

Tropical Fruit:

Carambola, Plantains

Cooking Vegetables:

Celery Root, Leeks

S Strock & Co., Inc.

Overview (15) (4) (12)

Business Type:

Shipper, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Boston, 02150 Massachusetts

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Strawberries

Citrus:

Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Clementines / Mandarins / Tangerines

Farmacopia Farms LLC

Overview (2) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Grower, Shipper

Location HQ:

Montgomery, 77356 Texas

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Red Raspberries, Strawberries

Citrus:

Limes

Deciduous Fruit:

Apples, Figs, Grapes, Green Grapes

TLC Custom Farming LLC

Overview (1) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Grower

Location HQ:

Yuma, 85364 Arizona

Cooking Vegetables:

Greens, Kale, Green Swiss Chard, Red Swiss Chard

Salad Vegetables:

Spinach, Savoy Spinach, Baby Spinach, Arugula, Green Leaf Lettuce, Red Leaf Lettuce

Esscalo HQ

Overview (3) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Broker, Exporter, Importer

Location HQ:

San Antonio, 78258 Texas

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Strawberries

Deciduous Fruit:

Pomegranates

Tropical Fruit:

Carambola, Plantains

Cooking Vegetables:

Celery Root, Leeks, Parsley Root

Texas Green Star LLC

Overview (4) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Grower, Shipper

Location HQ:

Sanger, 76266 Texas

Cooking Vegetables:

Kale, Green Swiss Chard, Red Swiss Chard, Cilantro, Basil, Dill, Parsley

Specialties:

Frisee, Watercress

Salad Vegetables:

Green Leaf Lettuce

Lettuce

Lettuce

Commodity Overview

PLUs

Varieties

Facts

Sales Strategies

Dynamic Displays

Food Service

In the Backroom

Equivalents

Become a Member Today