California Office

Central California weather is perfect for citrus right now. Short range weather forecasts show a 20% chance of rain this weekend and then dry/foggy conditions next week. Low temperatures should be in therange of mid 30’s to low 40’s. We will have plenty of fruit picked and ready to carry us through the holiday. Navel sizing continues to peak on 72 sized fruit, followed by 56’s and 88’s. Small size fruit could be an issue the entire year, so plan accordingly.

Our season is over for Satsumas. As expected, the crop was off quite a bit this season and we are unfortunately done for the year.

With our Satsuma crop being over, the timing could not be better for our Clementine crop. Sizing should continue to peak on 28’s and expect decent supplies through the holiday season. Z&S will be able to pack our high graphic 3# holiday ZIPEEES bag in addition to our 5# bag in a box packstyle.

Looking past citrus for a minute, the California office plans to receive our first containers of Just~Ripe Chilean tree fruit during the month of January. We expect to receive Peaches and Nectarines and consolidate them at our Dinuba facility (ZM Fresh) for your convenience. Ask your sales rep about promotional pricing.

ZS East

ZS East would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a safe and Happy New Years.

ZS East is currently receiving Just~Ripe Chilean tree fruit and we expect to receive Just~Ripe Chilean table grapes shortly after the first of the myear. We will carry a full line of Chilean tree fruit and table grapes throughout the Chilean season.

ZS EAST continues to grow our year round “OLD EL PASO FRESH” sweet onion program. We expect to have Chilean 40# Jumbo Sweet onions starting the first week of January.

ZS East will also carry a full line of Chilean and Mexican- Hass Avocados. Our Chilean Hass program will last through the end of February, allowing multiple ad opportunities.

Please remember to keep ZS East in mind for any short buy opportunities. We continue to carry forward inventories on a wide range of commodities.

ZS Arizona

ZS Arizona is in full swing with our Mexican vegetable program. We have good supplies of all squash varieties and expect supplies to be good through at least the first of the year.

Cucumbers continue to be in high demand but supplies are loosening up.

Now is a great time to promote our eggplant. We are peaking on 18 & 24 counts with a beautiful deep purple color. Remember, eggplant is high in dietary fiber, folate, vitamin C & K.

We are underway with all varieties of our Old El Paso Fresh chili peppers and the supplies should be good all season. We have a 10# display ready box, in addition to our 40# carton for your convenience.

Don’t forget to ask about our Old El Paso Fresh Mini Sweet peppers. These tasty treats are a perfect compliment to salads, to be grilled or to be eaten on their own.