Sweetgreen, which operates approximately 285 locations across the nation, confirmed that its supply chain remained uncompromised by the health advisory.
"We follow rigorous food safety standards and can trace our ingredients from restaurant to farm," said the company.
The health crisis compounding restaurant operations coincided with steep price spikes across fresh agricultural commodities. Data from the U.
S.
Department of Agriculture showed fresh lettuce prices surged 33 percent year-over-year, following a nearly 20 percent retail hike for iceberg lettuce between January and June.
Grocery prices reflected the surge last week, with iceberg lettuce averaging $1.86 per head—a 25-cent increase from 2025.
Red leaf lettuce climbed 52 cents to $1.66, while romaine hit $2.49 per bunch, marking a $1.55 year-over-year increase.
Agricultural economists attributed the severe market contraction to extreme weather events earlier in the season alongside rising operational overhead for distributors.
Unusually hot temperatures in Arizona accelerated crop maturation, triggering a supply gap before California harvesting commenced in late April, explained Elizabeth Canales, an associate professor of agricultural economics at Mississippi State University.
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She added that elevated fuel prices further escalated transport costs due to continuous cold-chain refrigeration requirements.
