Market Outlook

Lettuce: 

The Iceberg market is steady to a little lower. We are seeing good quality on inbound.

Leaf: 

Leaf market is steady. Overall quality is good.

Broccoli:

Broccoli market is steady to lower. Supplies are improving.

Cauliflower:

The cauliflower market is lower. Supplies are improving. Quality has been good.

Carrots:

Carrot market has remained on the higher end going into next week. We will now be in full swing out of Georgia.

Celery:

The Celery market is steady with better supplies becoming available out of both Oxnard and Yuma. We are seeing good quality out of Florida as well.

Strawberries: 

Strawberry market is high due to rain and cold in Florida.  Product is very tight at shipping point with only limited harvest. Availability will be poor for the next week to ten days. Expect only fair to good quality.

Potatoes:

The market on cartons has continued to rise this week.  Increases in both fob and freight is the cause of overall higher pricing.

Onions:

The market on Onions has taken another jump in cost this week. We expect the onion market to trend higher in the weeks to come.

Citrus:

The Lemon and Orange market is strong due to very cold weather in the growing region. Shippers are struggling to come up with small fruit.  113’s and 138’s are particularly tough to find.

Cucumbers:

The Cucumber market has also taken a jump due to cold weather in Florida. Cost is up and availability is limited. Quality will only be fair to good. We are also bringing in product from Mexico due to pricing and quality we are seeing out of Florida.

Peppers:

Pepper market has taken another big jump this week, Florida still dealing with weather issues. We are also pulling from Mexico due to price and quality.

Tomatoes:

Tomato market has begun to tighten up. Coast is up a few dollars across all lines.

Very cold weather and strong winds have had an effect on all Florida and Southern vegetables. We can expect to see higher costs, poor availability and lesser quality across the entire product line.

Feature of the Week

This week Primo is featuring blood oranges. Blood oranges are somewhat smaller than navel oranges, and often have pitted skin mottled with hints of red; the interior flesh is deep crimson. The flavor is sweeter and less tart than other oranges, and may have hints of raspberry or a slightly bitter edge. Choose firm, plump oranges that are heavy for their size.

Recipe of the Week

Mango and blood orange sorbet

Ingredients

¾ cup sugar

½ cup water

4 ripe mangoes, peeled and flesh removed

1 cup blood orange juice, from about 4 blood oranges, or 4 small regular oranges

Juice from 1 lime

Pinch of salt

2 tbs orange infused liquor (Grand Marnier, Cointreau, etc)

Instructions

Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, cook until the sugar is well dissolved and let it cool down.

Blend the mango flesh and the orange juice with sugar syrup, lime juice and salt.

Put the mango orange mix in the fridge to cool down for about 20-30 minutes.

Add the Grand Marnier and prepare the sorbet according to your ice cream maker instructions.

Place the sorbet in the freezer for at least an hour and serve.

Fun Facts of the Week

• Blood oranges have their unique colour because they carry anthocyanins, powerful flavonoid pigments that exist in red and purple fruit and vegetables
• Cold conditions bring out the deep colourings in blood oranges
• Blood oranges are known as the anti-aging orange because they are the only citrus fruit to contain anthocyanins, which nutritionists believe have anti-inflammatory properties that affect collagen reproduction