Workers Packing Lettuce |
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In the field, workers often follow a packing machine to help when boxing the lettuce. Depending on the size of the lettuce, it’s packed 24 or 30 heads per boxes. Lettuce is packed in one of two ways. It is packed directly into a box, or wrapped in plastic first, then placed in a box. Boxes of lettuce are then loaded onto a machine that helps stack them. |
Loading Lettuce on Truck |
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Next, lettuce is transported from the field to a cooling warehouse where it goes through a process called "Vacuum-cooling." This process takes place in large, metal "tubes." Many boxes of lettuce are quickly cooled to 32-34 degrees Fahrenheit. Buuurrrrrrr! A vacuum is created in the tubes to help chill the lettuce very fast. Can you believe that lettuce is cooled to 32-34 degrees Fahrenheit within 30 minutes? What a speedy process! |
About 25% of all iceberg lettuce is packaged for "fresh-cut" salads.
Lettuce is harvested when it’s mature. That’s why it doesn’t "ripen" like some other vegetables do on it’s way to your grocery store. Lettuce is transported in refrigerated trucks to help maintain it’s quality.
Because of improvements in harvesting and refrigeration, it’s possible to supply all U.S. markets year-round from lettuce grown and harvested in California and Arizona. |
