RonnDa J. Peters – Page 2 – Strategic Dining Services

This Week’s Highlights – August 26, 2019

Cauliflower – Supply is plentiful and quality is good.
Strawberries – Volume continues to be hit and miss due to ongoing issues that stem from the extreme heat earlier in the season. Strawberry volume is not expected to increase until sometime after Labor Day.
Romaine – Demand continues to strengthen. Quality is fair to good.
Zucchini – Prices are down, supply continues to improve week after week. Quality is good.
Napa Cabbage – Supply is steady. Quality is fair.

Cantaloupe – Heat has caused more fruit to hit the market at once. Brix levels are mostly in the 12 – 15% range, with some attaining higher levels.
Butter Lettuce – Good volumes are available; demand is steady.
Green Peppers – Prices are down this week. Quality is fair, due to mix of old and new crops.
Eggplant – Readily available in Fresno and WA state and in several states in the East. Quality has been good on both sides of the country.
Brussels Sprouts – Supply is plentiful and quality is good.

Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries – Expect low volumes for the next few weeks as well as some quality issues.
Romaine – Supply is good, but there are many quality issues…fringe, wind burn and light twist.
Eggplant – Production continues to ramp up…quality is outstanding, volume is good.
Arugula – Supply and quality are good.
Broccoli/Broccoli Florets – Demand is very good and the market is improving.

Celery – Plenty of supply is available. Quality is excellent.
Avocados – ESCALATED – Overall decline in supply anticipated moving forward. Looks like a dramatic decrease in supply from California and Peruvian sources, creating further strengthening of field pricing for Mexican fruit that will become the dominant origin for the back half of the summer.
Strawberries – Volumes and quality are improving.
Broccoli/Broccoli Florets – Supply will be good the next two weeks. Quality is good.
Brussels Sprouts – Supply and quality are good.

Cucumber – Supply is tight in the West and prices are up this week. Easter supply is coming from Georgia and supply is steady. Quality is fair to good.
Arugula – Supply and quality have improved and product is available.
Cauliflower – Supply is expected to be good, but will lighten up as we head into the weekend. Volume could be down significantly next week.
Celery – The market has finally stabilized. Plenty of supply available.
Sugar Snap Peas & Snow Peas – Quality is good, supply is abundant.