Virtual Lettuce Tour
Mountain Valley Produce
Lettuce starts in the spring at planting time after the seedbed is worked well and listed. We only use coated seed for even stands. Planting dates of different fields is staggered so there is a consistent availability of lettuce to harvest. Lettuce is planted from April to June and matures in 80-90 days for harvests in July through September.
Lettuce growing in the field about ready to harvest. We grow head lettuce as well as romaine and butterhead or boston types. The lettuce is then weeded and thinned mechanically and by hand. Fertilizer is applied at multiple times in small amounts to provide the lettuce the fertility it needs at the precise time and prevent losses. The lettuce is grow under irrigation with a precise fertility program and integrated pest management system.
The weather in the San Luis Valley with its intense sunshine and cool temperatures results in little tipburn problems, even in butterhead types. Romaine grows tall with good color.
Wrapping lettuce in the field and packing them in boxes of 24 or 36 heads per box in the field. Lettuce is also fresh cut and packed in boxes with or without liners for shipment.
Harvesting bin lettuce for use in pre-made salads and food service.
Vacuum cooler that cools the lettuce fresh from the field to 34oF in minutes. From here the lettuce is kept in a refrigerated cold room until its loaded in refrigerated trailers for shipment.
Food safety is always an issue. The harvesting equipment is washed and disinfected each day. To further assure safety the equipment is tested for dangerous bacteria such as E-coli as often as every day. These results are available as well as pesticide records to assure buyers that no pesticide was improperly applied and the produce will be free of any pesticide residues. In addition, workers are trained in food safety issues. All food safety issues are covered in our HACCP plan.