Lettuce: 

The lettuce market is very active and costs are significantly higher again for next week. Demand is high and product is in short supply. There will likely be some minor quality issues as the Salinas season begins to wind down. We are seeing mostly good condition on arrival.

Leaf: 

The Romaine and Romaine Heart markets are also very active. Costs continue to move up. The Green and Red leaf markets are moving higher. Costs are much higher on all leaf items. Quality on green is fair to good and red leaf has been very nice. We will likely see some minor quality defects on leaf items. Quality has been good on recent inbounds.

Broccoli:

The commodity broccoli market remains strong for next week. Canada and Maine broccoli are both winding down. Overall, quality has been looking fair to good.

Cauliflower:

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

Carrots:

The carrot market is steady on Canada product. Quality has been sharp.

Celery:

The Celery costs are steady to slightly higher for next week. We are seeing good quality on inbound.

Strawberries: 

The market is steady to slightly lower on California fruit heading into next week. Overall, volume is light as Northern California winds down and the Central coast is just starting with very light supplies. Quality has been fair/good. We are being warned to expect some minor quality defects and bruising due to the excessive heat in California.

Potatoes:

The market on Idaho potato market is a much stronger. Very early cold weather with

temperatures well below freezing has slowed both harvest and packing. Product is extremely tight and shippers are slow to get product out.    

Quality has been good to very good on inbound.

Onions:

The Western onion market is about steady on yellows and on reds. Quality on onions has been good to very good overall.

Citrus

The California lemon market is strong and short on supply across all sizes. Quality has been good overall. The Chilean season is about finished. We have Mexican fruit available in some sizes. We are seeing fair to good quality over all on Valencia oranges and that market remains strong. The Lime market is a little softer for next week with better crossings from Mexico.  We are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The market is slightly stronger for next week. Quality has been good to very good on recent arrivals.

Peppers:

The green pepper market is steady at the lower end. New Jersey and Ohio with good volume. Product also starting in the South. Quality has been fair to good.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is higher for next week and supplies in California are winding down.  Supplies are very light on the East coast out of Tennessee. North Florida is just starting.  Quality has been fair to good overall. Grape tomatoes are steady. Cherries are also steady heading into next week. Both are showing good quality. The Roma market is much stronger with supplies from Mexico and California.

Lettuce: 

The lettuce market is very active and costs are significantly higher than in the past few weeks. Demand is high and product is in short supply. There will likely be some minor quality issues as the Salinas season begins to wind down. We are seeing mostly good condition on arrival.

Leaf: 

The Romaine and Romaine Heart markets are also very active. Costs are much higher. The Green and Red leaf markets are moving higher. Costs are much higher on all leaf items. Quality on green is fair to good and red leaf has been very nice. We will likely see some minor quality defects on leaf items. Quality has been good on recent inbounds.

Broccoli:

The commodity broccoli market has rebounded and is much higher for next week. Broccoli is also available from Canada and Maine. Overall, quality has been looking fair to good.

Cauliflower:

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

Carrots:

The carrot market is steady on Canada product. Quality has been sharp.

Celery:

The Celery costs are steady for next week. We are seeing Michigan and Canada product as well. We are seeing good quality on inbound.

Strawberries: 

The market is steady to slightly lower on California fruit heading into next week. Overall, volume is light as Northern California winds down and the Central coast is just starting with very light supplies. Quality has been fair/good. We are being warned to expect some minor quality defects and bruising due to the excessive heat in California.

Potatoes:

The market on Idaho potato market is a little stronger. Very early cold weather with

temperatures well below freezing has brought harvest and packing to a stop.    

Quality has been good to very good on inbound.

Onions:

The Western onion market is about steady on yellows and on reds. Quality on onions has been good to very good overall.

Citrus

The California lemon market is strong and short on supply across all sizes. Quality has been good overall. The Chilean season is about finished. We have Mexican fruit available in some sizes. We are seeing fair to good quality over all on Valencia oranges and that market remains strong. The Lime market is a little softer for next week with better crossings from Mexico.  We are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The market is steady to slightly stronger for next week with cucumbers available in many areas.  Quality has been good to very good on recent arrivals.

Peppers:

The green pepper market is steady at the lower end. New Jersey and Ohio with good volume. Product also starting in the South. Quality has been fair to good.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is steady for next week and supplies in California are winding down. The California season will finish in the next 2 weeks. Supplies are very light on the East coast out of Tennessee. North Florida is just starting.  Quality has been fair to good overall. Grape tomatoes are steady. Cherries are also steady heading into next week. Both are showing good quality. The Roma market is stronger with supplies from Mexico and California.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 16oz cream cheese softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 9” prepared graham cracker crust
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.
• Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.
• Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.