August 12, 2011
FreshPRESS News that is as fresh as our produce
top five updates PINEAPPLES ALERT!
1 2 3 4 5
The earlier harvesting, coupled with rain and lack of sunny days, result in a lower shell color (greener).
Supplies are short due to poor quality as a result of extreme heat in growing areas.
BEAN, GREEN
Some quality issues have been noted
due to hot weather. Markets are up.
FreshPress
a quick glance at the top produce items for quality and market conditions
BERRY – BLUEBERRIES Good quality and supplies coming out of Oregon, British Columbia and California.
ASPARAGUS Markets have tightened due to cooler weather in Peru. However, quality is very good and sizing has improved.
AVOCADO HASS Supplies are light, pushing markets up. Supplies from Chile, Mexico and Peru are expected to provide some relief towards the end of the month.
BEAN, GREEN Some quality issues have been een n up. noted due to hot weather. Markets are up
BERRY – BLACKBERRY Quality and supplies are good as we bring in berries from Guatemala.
, 2009
VEGETABLE Asparagus Beans Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Celery Cucumbers Lettuce – Iceberg Lettuce – Leaf Lettuce – Romaine Lettuce –Spring Mix Onions – Red Onions – Yellow Peppers – Green Peppers – Red Potatoes – Russet Squash – Yellow
BERRY – RASPBERRY Supplies and quality have improved. proved.
Squash – Zucchini Tomato – Cherry Tomato – Grape Tomato – Mature Green
BERRY – STRAWBERRY Quality is fair to good with occasional pin rot and mild bruising. Stem berries are limited for the next 2-3 weeks. li ks.
BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER BR Broccoli and Cauliflower markets are stable Br with good supplies. wi
CELERY Santa Maria and Salinas are producing lighter volumes. However, excellent volume and quality is coming out of Michigan.
Tomato – Roma Tomato – V/Ripe
FRUIT Avocado Berry- Blackberry Berry- Blueberry Berry- Raspberry Berry- Strawberry Grape- Red Grape- Green Kiwifruit Lemons Limes Melon–Cantaloupe Melon – Honeydew Melon–Watermelon Oranges Pineapple
Price LOW
Check
Quality
AVG
SQUASH- ZUCCHINI
Reality
HIGH
Rain in growing areas has resulted in scarring and light color. Transportation has caused additional quality issues as well.
LOW
CITRUS – LIMES
AVG
Cucumber and Eggplant quality has been negatively affected by extreme heat in growing regions.
HIGH
CUCUMBER & EGGPLANT
August 12, 2011
FreshPRESS News that is as fresh as our produce
CITRUS – LEMONS
SQUASH – ZUCCHINI
Quality is good. Larger sizes remain tight.
Supplies are short due to poor quality as a result of extreme heat and rain in growing areas.
CITRUS – LIMES Rain in growing areas has resulted in scarring and light color. Transportation has caused additional quality issues.
CITRUS – ORANGES Markets have stabilized and quality is good. Markets on smaller sizes have increased slightly. Import Navels are available.
CUCUMBER & EGGPLANT Cucumber and Eggplant quality has been negatively affected by extreme heat in growing regions.
GRAPES Red, Green and Black Grape markets are steady, supplies and quality are good. Volumes of Globe Grapes have increased.
LETTUCE Overall lettuce supplies are plentiful and markets are stable. The typical summer quality issues such as internal burn, burn fringe burn, tip burn, mildew and insect pressure are present and for the most part are able to be cleared up at field level.
RED PEPPERS Red Pepper quality and supplies are good coming out of California.
PINEAPPLES ALERT! During this time of the ntrall year, Pineapples in Central Americago through a period of growth caused by weather conditions. The fruit must be picked, otherwise if left in the field too long it will absorb water and result in poor internal quality including translucency. The earlier harvesting, coupled with rain and lack of sunny days results in a lower shell color (greener). Although not visually ideal, these Pineapples still have good brix levels (sweetness). Supplies have tightened up significantly over the last few weeks, with strong pro rates and high markets expected.
ONIONS Markets are stable. Quality is good coming out of New Mexico and California.
solids in fruits are almost 100% sugar, therefore refractometers are widely used to check maturity in fruits. The number will be % of solids as sucrose.
Honeydew and Cantaloupe are all averaging about
12%
POTATOES PO Ma Markets have dropped as we anticipate the new crop which is expected to begin ne next week.
Brix Scale Low: 8-10% | Avg: 11-13% | High: 14-17%
TOMATOES Overall good supplies are coming out of Virginia, California and Tennessee.
MELON – CANTALOUPE & HONEYDEW Cantaloupe markets are coming off and availability has improved. Honeydew volumes have improved, however volumes of smaller sizes are tight.
Brix A percentage of soluble
HATCH CHILES
s n r u Season B HOT HOT & FAST! FAST! the
GREEN PEPPERS & SQUASH Green Pepper supplies and quality are good. Squash markets are active as a result of extreme heat and rain in growing areas.
Sysco News that is as fresh as our produce Please Distribute to: Executive Chef, General Manager, Kitchen Manager, Purchasing Manager, F&B Manager