Locals celebrate local ag industry for National Lettuce Month

In celebration of National Salad Month, people who came into the California Welcome Center in Salinas, walked out with a stronger appreciation for the local agriculture industry, a bag full of fresh produce and some recipe inspiration.

“You can put anything in a salad,” said Liz Staggs of Salinas. “You really can, maybe except ice cream.”

According to the Monterey County Farm Bureau, on nearly 379,000 acres, farmers grow 150 crops. The Salinas Valley exports 744,230,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables all over the world.

“This is an $8 billion industry that is the main economic driver for Monterey County and for that matter the Tri County area as well,” said Craig Kaufman, Executive Director of the Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau. “So really, it’s just an acknowledgement really of what this industry brings to the local community.”

Top crops produced include strawberries, broccoli, wine grapes and of course leaf lettuce. Local farmers produce 61 percent of the nation’s lettuce.

“When I was a kid, we used to go and sit in the field and take a lemon and salt and eat lettuce,” said Abel Fresquez of Salinas.

But lettuce took a hard hit this year. Late rain stalled the planting process.

“Usually they transition, growing down in Mexico and Arizona,” said Kaufman. “So the transition was a little delayed because of the rains that we had experienced this past winter.”

But officials said what seems to be doing well and becoming trendy, amongst other things, are superfoods. Officials said the Salinas Valley is seeing more demand for crops like strawberries and broccoli as consumers are seeking healthier options.

“Those are just really some of the good things that are grown here,” said Kaufman. “That are good for you and really pack a punch.”

“Tours on farms and wineries in Salinas Valley are also getting more attention.