BERRYSTRAWBERRY ALERT!

The industry is currently experiencing a variety of quality issues with strawberries shipping out of Central California.

FreshPRESS
News that is as fresh as our produce

October 5, 2012

top five updates

SQUASH

Squash markets have strengthened as Georgia growing areas are greatly affected by white fly.

MELON HONEYDEW

Honeydew supplies have tightened, especially on smaller size fruit.

CORN

As the transition into Georgia begins, there is a seasonal shortage and smaller ears.

GRAPES

Red Grape supplies are suffering from coloring issues due to the heat.

1 2 3 4 5
AVOCADO HASS
Markets are stronger as we await the new crop Mexican fruit. California supplies are light. Good overall quality.

Reality

HIGH

, 2009

HIGH

AVG

AVG

LOW

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 Squash Zucchini Tomato Cherry Tomato Grape Tomato Mature Green Tomato Roma Tomato V/Ripe

FreshPress
WEATHER UPDATE

a quick glance at the top produce items for quality and market conditions
Temperatures in California topped 100 degrees causing quality issues in commodities, especially Leaf Lettuces and Strawberries.

BEAN, GREEN

Markets are have tightened. Quality is fair to good with product coming primarily out of Tennessee and Georgia.

FRUIT
Avocado Berry- Blackberry Berry- Blueberry Berry- Raspberry Berry- Strawberry Grape- Red Grape- Green Kiwifruit Lemons Limes MelonCantaloupe Melon Honeydew MelonWatermelon Oranges Pineapple

BERRY BLACKBERRY

ASPARAGUS

Lighter supplies from Peru have pushed markets up.

Supplies are tighter as production in Mexico slows. Volumes from Guatemala are good. Quality is fair.

BERRY BLUEBERRIES

Supplies are good coming out of Argentina, Mexico and British Colombia. Quality is good.

LOW

Check

Quality

Price

FreshPRESS
News that is as fresh as our produce
BERRY RASPBERRY
Markets are stable.

October 5, 2012

GRAPES

BERRY STRAWBERRY ALERT!

The industry is currently experiencing a variety of quality issues with strawberries shipping out of Central California. Defects include: heavy bruising, overrripening and decay. Santa Maria and Oxnard are picking up steam.

Green Grape harvesting has finished as we transition into storage supplies. Red Grape supplies are suffering from coloring issues due to the heat. Black Grapes and Red Globes are also available.

Brix A percentage of soluble solids

Honeydew & Cantaloupe
are all averaging about

in fruits are almost 100% sugar, therefore refractometers are widely used to check maturity in fruits. The number will be % of solids as sucrose.

LETTUCE

BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER

Broccoli and Cauliflower supplies are plentiful as hot temperatures drive harvesting up on the West Coast. Quality is good. However, colored Cauliflower supplies are extremely tight due to the heat.

Lettuce markets have dropped. Quality is fair with instances of insect activity, tip burn and sun burn noted. The transition into Huron will begin soon.

Pineapple is averaging about

10-12% 12-14%
Color: Gold

MELON HONEYDEW & CANTALOUPE

CELERY

Supplies are steady coming out of Santa Maria and Salinas. Oxnard and Michigan are finishing up within the next week.

Cantaloupe markets have come off as California finishes up and the transition into Arizona begins. Good quality and sizing. Honeydew supplies have tightened especially on smaller size fruit. Nogales has begun and is expected to provide some relief.

CITRUS LEMONS

ONIONS

Good supplies and quality. Imports from Mexico and Chile are available.

Supplies are plentiful coming from the Northwest growing regions.

GREEN PEPPERS AND SQUASH

CITRUS LIMES

Markets are steady with good supplies and quality.

CITRUS ORANGES

Green Pepper markets are steady with good supplies coming from the Carolinas. Quality is good. Georgia is next. Squash markets have strengthened as Georgia growing areas are greatly affected by white fly. Florida will begin shortly.

Brix Scale Low: 8-10%

| Avg: 11-13% | High: 14-17%

Markets are stable. Regreening has been noted. Valencias will wind down at the end of October.

RED PEPPERS

Red and Yellow Pepper markets are steady.

HACHIYA PERSIMMON

CORN

As the transition into Georgia begins, there is a seasonal shortage and smaller ears. The days become shorter causing crops to receive less sunlight.

POTATOES

Bursting With Flavor!

Good volumes and quality.

TOMATOES

CUCUMBER & EGGPLANT

Cucumber and Eggplant supplies are good coming from Georgia. Markets are steady with good quality.

Markets have eased as California, Virginia, Florida and South Carolina produce supplies. Markets are stable. Romas have tightened.

Sysco

News that is as fresh as our produce

Please Distribute to: Executive Chef, General Manager, Kitchen Manager, Purchasing Manager, F&B Manager