Market Outlook   

Lettuce: 

The lettuce market remains active. Costs are lower by a few dollars from last week but remain elevated. The Salinas season is winding down. A few growers are shipping from Huron where the quality seems to be better. Salinas quality has been mostly good on inbound, but we are seeing quality and weights starting to slip.

Leaf: 

Romaine is stronger for next week and the romaine heart market is also much stronger. Demand is very good on both items. Quality has been mostly good on all Romaine items. The Green leaf market is a few dollars higher for next week. Red leaf is also higher. Quality has been good on leaf overall.

Broccoli:

The commodity broccoli market is steady overall for next week. Quality has been looking very good.

Cauliflower:

The cauliflower market is a few dollars higher with fair availability for next week. Quality has been good on inbound.

Carrots:

The carrot market is steady. Good quality Canada product in stock.

Celery:

Celery costs continue to move up in California with increased demand. The regional deals in Canada/Michigan are done. We are seeing good quality.

Strawberries: 

Market is steady for next week with light supplies overall on California fruit. Quality has been fair to good on our inbounds.

Potatoes:

The market on Idaho potatoes is steady. Quality has been very nice on inbound.

Onions:

The Western onion market is steady on yellows and reds for next week. Quality on onions has been good to very good.

Citrus

The California lemon market about steady, but availability only fair. Quality has been good overall. The Chilean and Mexican deals have finished. We are seeing good quality over all on new crop navel oranges and that market continues to adjust down.  The Lime market is steady for next week. Overall, we are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The market is steady and on the strong side. Light volume from Georgia and Mexico. Quality has been good.

Peppers:  

The green pepper market is strong and higher for next week with a wide range in quality. Georgia with light volume.  Quality has been fair to good.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is steady and strong. Florida is into very light volume. Larger tomatoes are very short. Quality has been good overall. Grape tomatoes along with Cherry tomatoes are stronger and showing good quality. The Roma market is much stronger with very light availability in Florida and Mexico.

 

Recipe of the Week

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups chopped cranberries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

3 tablespoons orange juice

1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.