Sysco Quality Assurance

Fresh Produce

Market UPDATE:

Week of 7/4/11

QA Update for the week of 7/4/11 As forecasted mid last week; the region experienced a bit of a warm spell lasting into the 4th of July holiday. The heat did bring with it a few issues, such as increased insect activity, some growth crack and some burn; however, the damage was limited to a few product lots. This week we continue to see fair to good quality, as well as good availability of most products. We have now settled into a somewhat typical summer weather pattern which will result in temperatures ranging from the low to mid 50’s to the high to low 70’s for the next several days. The concern moving forward will be internal burn; as we moisture settles on/in the product over night, and early temperatures start warming the product before that moisture has a chance to evaporate. Commodity Iceberg Lettuce: Palletized lettuce quality is fair to good with weights ranging from 44 to 48 lbs. Growth crack, fringe burn, wind damage, insect damage, and mildew are being observed to varying degrees throughout the County. The heat made some of the product grow to Jumbo sizes; however, there is a good mix of sizes available throughout the industry. Food Service/trimmed lettuce is also available in limited numbers but good quality and weights. Volume remains good.

Green and Red Leaf: Green and Red leaf lettuce quality is good with occasional wind damage, fringe burn, internal burn, and insect damage. Thrip damage has continued to increase due to the recent favorable temperatures. Weights are ranging from 21to 24lbs. Volumes are good.

Romaine: Romaine quality is still fair to good, as quality defects such as fringe burn, wind burn; and internal burn visible as well as mildew continues to affect this commodity. Availability is still good, weights range from 35 to 38 lbs.

As mentioned during today’s calls; expect to start seeing romaine hearts with a ¾ cup rather than fully cupped in the coming days; as shippers try to avoid internal burn. (please see picture at bottom of document)

Broccoli and Cauliflower: Field Packed Broccoli is of fair to good quality, with good supplies. Some lots have been observed to be somewhat branchy; and there is also some brown bead throughout the industry. Cauliflower is of fair to good quality as well, with some product exhibiting increased bruising, riciness, and even sun related discoloration; though volumes are expected to remain good this week; we have heard reports that volumes will drop going into next week.

Pre Cut Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce Quality for processing is good in general this week. Romaine lettuce precut quality is fair to good with fringe burn being the continued challenge for incoming raw product; though for those shippers bringing in topped and tailed raw product; that should not be an issue.

Spinach Spring Mix: Spring mix quality and blend component availability remain good. Spinach continues to be a challenge due to its continued thick leaf texture, which leads to mechanical damage. Other than mechanical damage, however, the product is showing no other issues.

Strawberries:

Due to rain last week, and subsequent increase in temperatures, volumes are somewhat limited. Overall product quality and numbers should improve daily. Some green tip and white shoulders are being observed throughout the industry.