Market Outlook  

Lettuce: 

The lettuce market is moving up. Cooler weather in the growing region is having an adverse effect on supplies. Quality has been good on inbound.

Leaf: 

Romaine is also on the rise.  Romaine Hearts are steady. Quality has been mostly good on all Romaine items. Green leaf is a little stronger and Red leaf is about steady. Quality has been good on leaf overall.

Broccoli:

The commodity broccoli market is steady with good supplies and is a good value. Quality is looking good.

Cauliflower:

The cauliflower market is moving higher for next week with shippers coming up short on supplies. Quality has been good on inbound.

Carrots:

The carrot market is steady but strong for next week. We are seeing good arrivals on Canadian product.

Celery:

The celery market is steady at the lower end with Western shippers. We are seeing good quality out of both Oxnard California and Yuma Arizona. Florida celery is available and the market remains strong relative to the Western product.

Strawberries: 

Market will be lower again for next week. Florida is in an over- supply situation and there are many only fair quality berries in the marketplace.  Quality has been fair to good on our inbounds. Customers can expect to see some minor bruising.

Potatoes:

The costs on Idaho potatoes is just slightly lower as we move into next week. Freight rates are lower as well. Quality remains good.

Onions:

The Western onion market is a little lower as we head into next week. We are seeing great quality onions.

Citrus

The California lemon market has adjusted down for next week and quality has been very nice.  We are seeing good quality over all on navel oranges with small fruit remaining very tight. Choice grade fruit is scarce. The Lime market is much higher for next week with fruit availability coming up short. Freight remains on the higher side. Overall, we are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The cucumber market is about steady for next week.  We are seeing good quality overall.

Peppers

The green pepper market has softened by a few dollars for next week and quality has been good.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is steady and trading just off the bottom. We are seeing good quality. The grape tomato market is steady near the bottom with good quality. Cherry tomatoes are steady in cost and showing good quality. The Roma market is about at the bottom with great supplies from Florida and an abundance of Mexican fruit available.

 

Recipe of the Week

Garlic Bread Soup

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Spanish

8 large garlic cloves, mashed to a paste with 1 teaspoon coarse salt

2 cups bite-size pieces stale crusty bread (4 ounces)

5 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock

1 bay leaf

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

3 large eggs, beaten

Flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until hot but not smoking. Add garlic paste; cook, stirring occasionally, until very fragrant but not browned, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Add bread, and stir to coat. Stir in stock and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes.

Step 3

Discard bay leaf. Stir in eggs. Cook, stirring occasionally to break up eggs, about 10 minutes. Serve soup garnished with parsley leaves