Sysco Quality Assurance

Fresh Produce Sysco QA UPDATE: Week of 12/07/17

QA Western Update for the Week of 12/07/17 This week the industry is now observing cooler weather in the growing region out West. The effects of early-season heat have led into daybreak temps that are producing light freeze that is beginning to delay harvest. This is more pronounced in the outlying areas away from major cities of Yuma and Imperial Counties. Seeder, condition issues, shape issues, and density issues are the concerns. The forecast shows mild conditions next week during day with very cold tempertures at night and most likely frost at daybreak. Commodity Iceberg Lettuce for Sysco Approval: Yuma-area condition is fair, quality is fair to good; defects due to seeder, ribbiness, dust/wind damage, oversized (Jumbo) weak tip, and light weight. Yuma-area commodity Iceberg weight is 40-47 lbs. Yuma-area trimmed Iceberg condition is fair, quality is also fair, defects due to oversizing, bottom rot, and cracked ribs. Yuma-area trimmed Iceberg weight is 36-38lbs.

Frost on Iceberg Lettuce

Green and Red Leaf for Sysco Approval: Yuma-area Green and Red Leaf condition is fair to good, quality is still fair to good, few defects due to oversized, seeder, and ribbiness. Yuma-area leaf lettuce weight is 20-21 lbs. Ice has been observed as well.

Romaine for Sysco Approval:

Yuma-area Romaine condition is fair to good, quality is good to fair, Sysco QA is noting some defects due to seeder, ribbiness, and twisting and oversized. Current Yuma-area Romaine weight is 36-40 lbs. Yuma Romaine Hearts: fair condition, fair quality, some defects due to seeder, ribbiness, and twisting. Yuma-area Romaine heart weight is 26-28 lbs.

Sysco Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Celery: Broccoli condition is fair, quality is fair to good, occasional defects due to branchiness and brown bead. Cauliflower condition is also fair, quality is fair, occasional defects due to riciness, bruising and yellowing. Celery: condition is good, quality is good, occasional head slicicing. . Pre Cut Lettuce: For chopped Romaine, raw material is showing heavy contrast between dark green outer leaves (which are bruising easily) and neutral-colored heart material. There is light decay and internal burn in Iceberg, density has improved but we have some tight product. Parsley and cilantro have improved Spinach and Spring Mix: Spinach condition is fair, quality is fair, mechanical damage is a concern. Spring mix condition is poor to fair, quality is fair, dehydration and mechanical damage. Strawberries: Transition south continues, with Santa Maria and Oxnard being our main regions out west, condition there is fair to good, reports are of decent quality, although sizing remains on the small side. Recent rains will bring water damage and white shoulders (as growers elect to pick slightly under ripe fruit to get away from rain damage).

Citrus: Lemons: Quality remains very good, Lemons still being harvested out of the desert and central valley, quality is very good, availability as well. Oranges: Sysco Branded Naval production will resume week of Dec. 11th 2017. California’s cold snap that we were looking for should bring on color, sugar and toughen up the rinds the only issue developing now with oranges is availability on the very small fruit 138.

Grapes: Good supplies of green seedless will be available through the month. Red seedless Market is active as some supplies are dwindling. Some shippers are finished or will be finishing shipping by next week. We have good supplies for hopefully the remainder of the month. Decent supplies and snack packs are also available. Quality on the red seedless is good.