Fruit Freeze Could Cost Utah

By Dawn House, The Salt Lake Tribune

Jan. 19–The icy weather that has hit California farms means Utahns will probably see higher prices for citrus crops, avocados and some vegetables.

In the short term, California fruit at packing plants when the weather hit was likely protected, said Josh McCord, produce manager at Salt Lake City’s Emigration Market.

But McCord anticipates that the price of oranges could soon triple here. Fruit or vegetable shortages from one large growing area can raise prices from producers elsewhere because of more demand for them, he said.

The impact of the freezing temperatures won’t be known for months, said Associated Foods Produce Director Bob Newton. But because of earlier shipments, Utah consumers can expect to have avocados in time for the Super Bowl.

Ads already are being printed for release shortly before the bowl parties promising large avocados for 88-cents each. The price for avocados will hold during the special throughout Utah’s 450 Associated Foods stores — unless supplies run out.

Mia Newkirk wasn’t worried about the citrus deep freeze as she placed a bag of apples into her grocery cart Thursday at a Salt Lake City Albertson’s.

“Look around,” she said, pointing to stacks of fruits and vegetables. “There’s a lot of other fresh things I can buy, and don’t forget about the canned goods too.”

Considering other produce items is also the advice of Marsha Gilford, spokeswoman for Smith’s Food and Drug, the state’s largest grocery chain. Gilford is expecting shortages or higher prices for oranges, strawberries, broccoli, leaf lettuce, asparagus, cauliflower and peppers.

But there’s plenty of grapes, apples, grapefruit, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, tomatoes, nuts, potatoes, blueberries and blackberries.

Buffi King, owner of the Haxton Manor bed and breakfast on South Temple in Salt Lake City, said she plans to continue serving fresh produce for the early morning meal.

“I’m not planning to raise any prices, even when the cost of fruit goes up,” she said. “I’m not worried about making a lot of money, it’ll come back again.”

Still, recent storms, floods, drought and a hurricane have shown the need for Utah to become less reliant on out-of-state and foreign growers.

“The farther away the food travels, the more complicated it becomes,” said Larry Lewis, spokesman for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. “Local foods grown by your neighbor is more wholesome, it tastes better, and it’s cheaper.”

On Thursday, the Agriculture Department told lawmakers about the importance of promoting the Utah’s Own label so that consumers can easily pick out local goods.

Another way to ensure access to local fruits and vegetables is to join a Community Supported Agriculture program. Customers buy into a farm in advance, then receive deliveries of crops throughout the summer and fall.

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