MARKET OUTLOOK

Lettuce: 

The Iceberg lettuce market remains very active and product is coming up short. Supplies are really tight and costs continue to climb. Shippers holding to averages and pro-rating orders. Value added items are also higher. Overall quality has been very nice on inbound this past week.

Leaf: 

The romaine market is also much higher for next week. Romaine hearts are higher. Green and Red leaf markets are up as well. Quality has been good on all leaf items.

Broccoli:

The commodity broccoli market is steady with good availability. Overall, Quality has been looking very good.

Cauliflower:

The cauliflower market is steady for next week. Quality has been good on inbound.

Carrots:

The carrot market is much higher for next week. Supplies are light in all areas.

Celery:

The Celery is declining and costs will be lower for next week. We are seeing good quality on inbound.

Strawberries: 

The market is higher with only fair supplies on quality fruit in California. Quality has been good on recent arrivals, but we are being cautioned the quality will likely slip in the coming weeks due to excessive heat in the growing region.

Potatoes:

The market on Idaho potatoes remains active across all sizes with the larger potatoes especially strong. #2 potatoes are also now coming up short. Quality has been good to very good on inbound.

Onions:

The Western onion market is very active and short on yellows and reds for next week. Quality on onions has been good to very good overall. We are seeing some minor skin issues which is common on new crop onions due to lack of skin set.

Citrus

The California lemon market is strong across all sizes, but especially on small sizes. Quality has been good overall. We are seeing good quality over all on Valencia oranges and that market is steady. The Lime market is steady for next week with good crossings from Mexico.  We are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The market is steady to lower for next week. We are seeing product from Georgia and the Carolinas as well as New Jersey. Quality has ranged from fair to very good.

Peppers:

The green pepper market is lower. We should see New Jersey product staring by the end of week 26. Quality has been fair to good.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is steady with supplies on the light side in South Carolina. Quality has been good overall. California just getting started. Eastern shore of Virginia due to begin week 28. Grape tomatoes and cherries are steady heading into next week. Both are showing good quality. The Roma market is steady to lower with light supplies crossing from Mexico.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Pineapple Chicken 

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs – cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper cored – cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons corn starch
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Heat the oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste and add to the pan.
• Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through.
• Add the red bell pepper and pineapple to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, chicken broth, and brown sugar.
• Add the sauce mixture to the pan and bring to a simmer.
• Mix the corn starch with 1 tablespoon of cold water; stir until smooth.
• Add the cornstarch mixture to the pan and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute or until sauce has just thickened.