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Send questions or comments about this website to: webmaster@nmedu.org Copyright (c) 1996 Cooperative Educational Services Content Updated: 1/13/2011 |
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SYSCO NM QA Update for the week of 1/3/11
As forecasted early last week, the desert Southwest experienced 3 days of freezing weather late last week; being Friday the coldest of the 3. As predicted that cold spell has had an immediate negative effect for product quality and development. The effects of last week’s cold weather will continue to affect product quality for the next few weeks.
Iceberg Lettuce: At this point product quality is mostly fair; with the vast majority of product already exhibiting epidermal peel and blistering a few layers deep into the head. Weights range from 44 to 46 lbs gross pre-cooled, depending on shipper, field location and seed variety; as well as the level of ice damage, since the shipper will attempt to remove most of the damaged leaves.
Romaine: The product is of poor to fair quality, with moderate to severe blistering; and even some ice caused discoloration in some lots. Fringe burn and cupping are also visible in some stands. Color continues to be very dark green. Shippers are trimming off as many of the affected leaves as possible which continue to affect yields. Product weight ranges from 33 to 36 lbs.
Green and Red leaf: Both are showing fair to good product quality; with occasional blister found more readily in the red leaf product. Weights vary from shipper to shipper from 20 to 22 lbs.
Broccoli and Cauliflower: Field Packed Broccoli quality is of fair to mostly good quality this week with good supplies; nevertheless, we have observed some product lots with moderate ice burn. Cauliflower supplies are good as well, with fair to good quality; and occasional riciness.
Pre Cut Lettuce: Precut Iceberg lettuce quality is fair to good overall. We are observing raw material lots showing some of the effects of last week’s frosts in the way of discoloration, epidermal peel, and blistering. Romaine quality is poor to fair at this time, with heavy blistering, and some fringe burn.
Spinach Spring Mix: Spring mix and spinach quality ranges from fair to good, depending on shipper, and filed location; some shippers have reported lower product availability as well as ice damage on some of their product. Ingredient availability for spring mix continues to vary from shipper to shipper with some items in tight supplies.
Strawberries Product availability is still pretty low at this point. Growers continue to strip rain damaged fruit and are just starting to pick fruit in limited volumes. Any available fruit is mostly of fair quality at best. The growing areas are supposed to get a bit of a respite from the rain for the next few days; which should somewhat help out to bring on more product. |
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