Fresh Market Production

Vegetables are often called "high value crops" because they account for only about 1% of the crop land in the US but almost 15% of the cash receipts from crop production.

Main shipping states (% of national production): California (51), Florida (14), Arizona (6), Texas (5), and Oregon (4).

Local markets occur in proximity to large urban areas in the central and southern regions. Historically there is also a coastal strip roughly 100 miles deep from Florida to Massachusetts that sequentially produces fresh market vegetables beginning in spring to metropolitan areas in the eastern US. For example, the first "new" potatoes are produced in south Florida in March. Florida production gives way to potato production in Georgia in April and the Carolinas in May. The eastern shore of Virginia supplies the eastern market with "new" (not stored) potatoes in June and early July. New Jersey, Long Island, Massachusetts, and Maine supply the market with "new" potatoes later in the summer and into early fall. This same production progression occurs with other crops such as tomatoes and melons. In recent years, competition from other production areas has somewhat eroded this traditional production region and market progression.

In the Northern States, the season is too short for many long season vegetables, so these vegetables must be shipped from other regions.

Nearly all the vegetables grown in Virginia go into the fresh market. White potatoes processed into potato chips are the notable exception. Some sweet potatoes and cucumbers are shipped out of the state for processing.