MARKET OUTLOOK

Lettuce: 

The market on lettuce is active with shippers being sold out. Supplies are tightening up due to the heat and crews ending their shifts early.  There will be some quality issues, expect fair to good conditions on arrival.

Leaf: 

Romaine/Romaine Hearts remain firm. Green leaf markets are about steady.  Red leaf remains a good value. Quality on green and red are very nice, but Romaine and Romaine Hearts will be fair to good on arrival with some bruising due to the heat.

Broccoli:

The commodity broccoli market is up again for next week with light supplies in California. Broccoli available from Canada and Maine as well. Overall, quality has been looking good.

Cauliflower:

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

Carrots:

The carrot market is steady to slightly lower 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 up on California fruit for next week. Quality has been fair/good.

Potatoes:

The market on Idaho potatoes is staring to decline on the smaller sizes, but the larger potatoes are holding pretty firm. Quality has been good to very good on inbound.

Onions:

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

Citrus

The California lemon market is strong across all sizes, but especially on small sizes. Quality has been good overall. There is also some Chilean fruit available. We are seeing fair to good quality over all on Valencia oranges and that market remains strong with schools starting up. The Lime market is much stronger again for next week with very light crossings from Mexico.  We are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The market is steady for next week with cucumbers available in many areas. We are seeing product from New Jersey and Michigan and New York and Canada as well. Quality has been fair to good on recent arrivals.

Peppers:

The green pepper market is steady at the lower end. New Jersey has good volume with other areas in good supply as well.  Quality has been fair to good.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is steady/ strong and supplies in California tight, especially on small fruit. Supplies are very light on the East coast out of VA/MD/ TN.  Quality has been fair to good overall. Grape tomatoes are steady with product availability light overall. Cherries are steady/ strong heading into next week. Both are showing good quality. The Roma market is steady to stronger with light supplies crossing from Mexico and good supplies in California.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Cilantro-Lime Brown Rice

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups brown rice
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

• Bring water and brown rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Transfer brown rice to a large bowl and cool slightly, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Whisk lime juice, garlic, olive oil, and salt together in a bowl; stir into rice. Fold cilantro into rice mixture.