Market Outlook   

Lettuce: 

The lettuce market is steady and a good value for next week. Supply just slightly exceeds demand. Salinas quality has been mostly very good on inbound.

Leaf: 

Romaine and romaine heart markets are steady. Demand is good. Quality has been mostly good on all Romaine items. Green leaf and Red leaf are steady. Quality has been good on leaf overall.

Broccoli:

The commodity broccoli market is lower for next week.  Quality has been looking good.

Cauliflower:

The cauliflower market has declined with better availability for next week. Quality has been good on inbound.

Carrots:

The carrot market is steady, but remains on the strong side.  Michigan and Canada with light volume. Good quality Canadian product in stock.

Celery:

Celery costs are steady to slightly higher with adequate supplies in Salinas. There is also Michigan and Canadian product available. We are seeing good quality.

Strawberries: 

Market is definitely stronger with light supplies on California fruit. Quality has been fair to good on our inbounds.

Potatoes:

The market on Idaho potatoes is steady to slightly lower with new crop looking very sharp. #2 potatoes are still on the tight side as new crop is not producing many #2’s. Shippers sending 100 count to fill #2 orders.

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 is strong and remains in very short supply. Quality has been fair to good. Import arrivals are light and overall the supplies are extremely short. Mexico is shipping more lemons, and we are starting to see some costs decline. We are seeing good quality over all on oranges and the market remains very strong especially on small fruit with school business ramping back up. The Lime market is steady to stronger for next week. Overall, we are seeing fair to good quality on inbound.

Cucumbers:

The market is very unsettled and active. There is a wide range on cost and quality.  Product is being sourced from multiple growing regions along the East Coast, New York and Canada. Quality has been good.

Peppers:

The green pepper market is active with fewer supplies in New Jersey. Michigan and Canada also light in volume.  Quality has been good overall.

Tomatoes:

The round tomato market is lower for next week. Supplies in California have improved. The East is producing very few tomatoes. Good quality California product in stock. The grape tomato market is steady. We are seeing mostly good quality. Cherry tomatoes are steady to stronger and showing good quality. The Roma market is steady with fair availability in both California and Mexico.

Recipe of the Week

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Ingredients

1 acorn squash, halved and seeded

4 tablespoons butter, divided

4 tablespoons brown sugar, divided

2 cups dry bread stuffing mix, divided

1 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided

salt and pepper to taste

garlic powder to taste

onion powder to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Place squash, face up, in a shallow baking dish. In each half place 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 cup stuffing mix, 3/4 cup chicken broth, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Wrap each half tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until squash is very tender.