Challenges
Although they enjoy endless advantages, businesses on the Atlanta State Farmers Market are not immune to the industry’s many challenges. “There is never a shortage of challenges to contend with in the produce business,” says Young. Most Georgia produce professionals say the weather, labor shortages, and food safety have posed the biggest issues for them in the past year.
The Weather – Labor – Food Safety Trifecta
Weather
Thompson says the weather has kept grower-shippers and wholesalers on their toes for the past year or so. “Droughts have been a serious issue, especially for our growers down in South Georgia,” he says.
Georgia suffered the most drought damage in the South, though numerous counties in Alabama and South Carolina, as well as handful in Florida were also affected. Due west, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah were among the hardest hit states. Over 80 counties in the Peach State were considered primary or contiguous disaster areas and eligible for federal aid in 2013.
“The drought was the worst last August, and that hurt the corn,” explains Gloria Lewis, CFO at Hatcher Produce Company, Inc., a produce wholesaler in Atlanta. “We had to order corn from out West,” she said, which in turn raised prices due to higher freight charges. “We usually go down to Florida and get corn with our own trucks; we don’t usually have to travel out to California.” Lewis adds that an unexpected freeze in 2012 also impacted Georgia greens, driving up prices.
“Weather always affects product,” observed Lineberger. “We haven’t had a major storm or anything to wipe us out, but there’s been some cold snaps to slow down product. It’s just the norm.”
