Market Outlook

Lettuce:

The market is about at the bottom with an abundance of supplies this week. We are seeing good quality on inbound.

Leaf:

Romaine, Romaine hearts, green, and red leaf markets are lower as well. We are seeing good quality on inbound with very occasional blister/peel on romaine.

Broccoli:

The broccoli market is about at bottom with good availability. Crowns are just off the bottom slightly. Quality has been good on inbound.

Cauliflower:

The cauliflower market is steady with great quality.

Carrots:

The carrot market has not changed for next week, quality and sizing have been very good.

Celery:

The celery market is about steady out of California with supplies improving. We are seeing good quality on inbound. Florida has very limited volume to offer, and is not a good buy at this time.

Strawberries:

Growing regions in California, Mexico, and Florida are moving into much better supplies and the market is steady at lower levels. Quality has been very good on inbound.

Potatoes:

Idaho potato market will start to turn around in the next few weeks; with product production a bit behind is calling for extra time to get orders packed up. We will remain steady for next week on all sizes.

Onions:

The yellow onion market has remained the same for next week, we anticipate onions getting stronger again as we move into March. Quality has remained good. Reds are still very high in cost. Red quality has been good on recent inbounds.

Citrus:

The California lemon market is steady with great quality fruit. California Navel oranges are in good supply and we are seeing great quality on inbound. Oranges are starting to size up. Smaller oranges are moving up in cost. Lime market is steady to higher with good quality overall.

Cucumbers:

The cucumber market has been going up weekly over the past 2 weeks and has gone up again for next week. Product has started to tighten up rather quickly.

Peppers:

The green pepper market has begun to decline as we move into next week, overall quality and sizing has only been good to fair.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is steady. Quality is fair to good. Cherry tomatoes continue to be short, but we should see better supplies next week. Grapes tomato market is steady and are a good value. The Roma market is steady with good supplies and quality from Mexico.

 

 

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