Market Outlook  

Lettuce: 

The lettuce market is moving higher every day.  We are in a demand far exceeds supply situation.  Quality has been fair to good on inbound.

Leaf: 

Romaine and Romaine hearts are significantly higher as well. Quality has been mostly good on all Romaine items this week. We are being cautioned to expect some fringe/tip burn in coming weeks. Green leaf and Red leaf are up as well. Quality has been good on leaf overall.

Broccoli:

The commodity broccoli market has eased with shippers into better availability. We are still seeing shortages in the near term on broccoli florets. Shippers are pro-rating and or holding to average purchases. Quality has been fair to good on inbound.

Cauliflower:

The cauliflower market has fallen sharply as availability has greatly improved. Quality has been good on inbound.

Carrots:

The carrot market is a few dollars stronger with supplies tightening in Canada. We are seeing great quality on arrival.

Celery:

The celery market remains steady at the lower end with good quality out of California. Also have Michigan and Canada product to offer.

Strawberries: 

Market remains on the stronger side with limited supplies of good quality fruit. Overall, quality is only fair to good. We are seeing some minor bruising and an occasional soft berry.

Potatoes:

The Idaho market is steady with very good quality. Burbank harvest just getting started.

Onions:

The Western onion market is steady with supply just meeting demand. Quality remains very good.

Citrus

The California lemon market is steady to slightly lower. We are seeing good quality overall. We have some good quality Mexican product in stock.  Valencia oranges are about done and we will have a supply gap until Navel harvest starts approximately 10/23. Quality has been fair to good, but mostly only fair. The Lime market remains steady for next week. Overall, we are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The cucumber market is steady near the bottom. Overall, quality has been good.

Peppers:

The green pepper markets is steady at lower levels and a good value. Quality has been good to very good.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato has eased slightly. Supply remains light on both the East and West coasts. We are seeing fair to good quality. The grape tomato market is steady at the lower end with good quality. Cherry tomatoes are steady, but strong and showing good quality. The Roma market is steady with supplies improving in Mexico. Demand is high and quality remains good.

 

Most all vegetable and lettuce items from the West are in short supply and a good amount of what is available is of marginal quality. This is really affecting the processors as they are churning through acreage trying to meet demand. We will see overall quality slip in the value-added salad and leaf items. Shippers will be holding to averages and pro-rating when short.

 

Recipe of the Week

Apple Cider Pot Roast

Ingredients

1 ½ cup Zeigler’s Old Fashioned Cider
1 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground ginger (or freshly grated)
3 whole cloves
3-4 lbs beef chuck pot roast
Flour

Directions

Mix cider, sugar, and spices. Pour over pot roast and let stand in refrigerator for 24 hours. Remove from marinade and sprinkle with flour. Brown both sides in hot oil in heavy skillet or dutch oven. Turn heat to low, pour marinade back on the roast, and cover tightly. Simmer for 3 hours. Around hour 2, add potatoes and carrots if desired.