Though sales of leeks are usually better during the fall and winter, the market for the commodity has been stable this summer. Consumption of the product has also grown as a result of increasing awareness of it on the part of consumers.
“We plan for this time of year and try to scale back production of leeks right about now as a result of local deals,” said Danny Fleming of Beachside Produce in Santa Maria. “We'll go steady all through the summer.” There has not been much variation in pricing, with figures mostly between $10.00 and $15.00 a carton. On July 23, prices for a carton out size 12 leeks were between $12.50 and $16.95.
“It's not an item with a lot of volume planted,” noted Fleming, “but it is a pretty good mover.” Though leeks haven't garnered as much attention as some other items, like brussels sprouts or kale, consumption has grown steadily over the years.
“When I started here, 10 years ago, we had to stretch to sell leeks,” said Fleming. “But that's no longer the case. People are finding new ways to use it, in stews for example, so there is better customer awareness.”
