MARKET OUTLOOK

Lettuce: 

The Iceberg lettuce market remains active but price is starting to come off slowly and find its place.  Supplies are still minimal. Value added items are higher for next week. Shippers are cautioning to expect some minor quality defects.

Leaf: 

The romaine market has come off a lot. Romaine hearts are high cost but coming off slowly. Green leaf markets have dropped just like Romaine. Red leaf is a good value. We have seen minor tip/fringe burn on some lots on inbound.

Broccoli:

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

Cauliflower:

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

Carrots:

The carrot market is higher for next week. Supplies are light in all areas. Quality is fair to good.

Celery:

The Celery continues to decline and costs will be steady to lower for next week. We are seeing good quality on inbound.

Strawberries: 

The market is steady with only fair supplies on quality fruit in California. Quality has been good on recent arrivals, but we are being cautioned that we may see some minor quality defects.

Potatoes:

The market on Idaho potatoes remains active and is strengthening across all sizes with the larger potatoes especially strong. Quality has been good to very good on inbound.

Onions:

The Western onion market is very active and remains 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 to stronger for next week with good crossings from Mexico.  We are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The market remains high for next week. Quality product is short in all growing areas. We are seeing product from New Jersey and Michigan is just underway. Quality has been only fair on recent arrivals.

Peppers:

The green pepper market is steady to slightly lower. New Jersey is now coming into better volume.  Quality has been fair to good.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is steady to lower with pretty good supplies in California. Supplies are very light on the East coast out of VA/MD.  Quality has been fair to good overall. Grape tomatoes are very active with product coming up short. Cherries are steady heading into next week. Both are showing good quality. The Roma market is steady to slightly higher with light supplies crossing from Mexico and fair supplies in California.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

• 3 c. thinly sliced peeled cucumbers
• 1 c. thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 c. sour cream
• 1 Tbsp. white vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. minced fresh dill
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Instructions

1. In a medium mixing bowl stir together sour cream, vinegar, dill, sugar, salt, and garlic powder.
2. Add cucumbers and red onion; toss to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate 2 or more hours.