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December 9, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, December 12, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Markets have seen continued volatility as growers deal with cooler weather, rainfall, multiple hurricanes, and growing region transitions which have considerably impacted overall yields through most growing regions. We will likely see markets remain higher for the remainder of the year.

Grains

The long-awaited biofuel mandates from the EPA were finally announced, which prompted investors to liquidate their long positions and drove the price of soybean oil lower. Due to the terrible weather in Malaysia, palm was somewhat higher, and canola was also up due to the EPA authorizing its use for biodiesel.

Dairy

Shell egg markets are still strong since demand is strong and supplies are limited. Despite a decline in cheese markets, demand is still high. Markets for butter are beginning to ease. As butter markets have fallen over the past 30 days, cream and culture prices have decreased for December.

Beef

In 2024, there will be a 3% decrease in beef production, and between 2% and 5% in 2025 and 2026. That might translate to a reduction in annual beef production of up to 500,000 metric tons. Overall, there is plenty of supply, and purchasers don’t seem pressed to make purchases beyond those necessary for the upcoming holiday season. Due to festive demand, ribs and tenderloins are still in high demand. As the demand for a medium meat product with a lower price point increased, strips did firm up above levels from weeks earlier. As long as supply outpaces demand, the chuck and round will continue to trade lower.

Pork

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Because of features in retail advertisements, butts rose as predicted. Due to the slowing demand, loin prices are still declining. Ribs remain flat for the upcoming week, but once suppliers start taking reservations, the market may rise. As suppliers purge frozen stocks, belly sales are also on the decline.

Poultry

The season for wings has arrived, but there are still many options at reasonable costs. Product is easily accessible, and tender availability is rising. Seasonally low breast prices will persist through the end of the year, but estimates for slower production will result in a supply shortage. It’s simple to find thigh meat without the bones.

Seafood

Cod filet prices are poised for a downturn heading into the new year but have been unusually strong since August. Frozen crab continues a nine-month falling streak.

December 4, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, December 5, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Markets have seen continued volatility as growers deal with cooler weather, rainfall, multiple hurricanes, and growing region transitions which have considerably impacted overall yields through most growing regions. We will likely see markets remain higher for the remainder of the year.

Grains

With weaker crude oil futures and improved logistics along the Mississippi River, soybean oil moved marginally lower last week. Canola seed futures in Canada decreased as a result of declining Chinese demand. Although demand is low and stockpiles are strong, Palm climbed slightly higher.

Dairy

Butter prices are stable as long as demand is strong. Markets for shell eggs are still rising despite last week’s new AI epidemic. Despite strong demand, cheese markets are shrinking. Due to the recent decline in butter markets, cream and culture prices are falling for December.

Beef

As the week goes on, buyers are applying the breaks as packers offer cheaper prices. Due to limited supply and ongoing seasonal demand, ribs and tenderloins remain popular. Strips continue to trade steadily because purchasers seem to be living off-the-grid and using them as middle-priced meat at a cheaper price point. Chucks and rounds are still reflecting a softer tone on quality supplies.

Pork

Although butts are trading sideways, retail may offer some support, causing the market to stay flat. The rib complex is still suffering from high cold storage levels, thus the market should remain sluggish. Butts and loins saw some sideways movement and may appear in advertisements for goods shortly. The market is being flooded with fresh bellies as cold storage capacity keeps expanding.

Poultry

The time of year when there are the most wings available is called “wing season.” Product is easily accessible, and tender availability is rising. Seasonally low breast prices will persist through the end of the year, but estimates for slower production will result in a supply shortage. Thigh meat without a bone is widely accessible.

Seafood

White and Tiger shrimp are saturating the market as demand has slowed. There are excess inventories in the US market. Lobster season has begun in Nova Scotia, resulting in larger tails. season. Some importers are selling their inventory at a loss.

November 28, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, November 28, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Markets have seen continued volatility as growers deal with cooler weather, rainfall, multiple hurricanes, and growing region transitions which have considerably impacted overall yields through most growing regions. We will likely see markets remain higher for the remainder of the year.

Grains

Despite reports of rising stocks, the soybean oil market rose. We are anticipating the EPA’s statement regarding the approval of Canola for use in biodiesel. Canola oil will probably rise while the price of soybean oil may decrease as a result. On account of rising Chinese demand, Palm was up.

Dairy

Due to the ongoing demand during the holidays, butter markets are rising. Markets for shell eggs are still growing, with the exception of California, where they remain stagnant. Markets for cheese are recovering as demand rises.

Beef

Last week, the average USDA Choice boxed-beef cutout declined 2.3 percent from the previous week, and it was 8.1 percent lower than a year ago. Spot live cattle prices are currently 13.6 percent costlier (y/y), which should equal more expensive beef prices, but that has not occurred yet as beef demand is soft. Wholesale beef prices usually peak after Thanksgiving, but this November price may have already topped.

Pork

Although they continued to go downward this week, butts were mostly flat. Still, ribs are descending, but more slowly than previous week. Supplies clearing out stockpiles is what has caused the drop. Because November is a slow month for pork, loins also continue to trend lower. Compared to prior weeks, bellies were slightly higher. There is a stable market for bacon notwithstanding low demand.

Poultry

The shell egg markets continue to price near or above record highs as bird flu culls unfortunately have still occurred, most recently in Iowa. The turkey markets remain historically high. The chicken markets continue to weaken, but prices usually bottom during November. The downside risk for chicken prices from here is likely nominal. The egg and liquid egg markets unfortunately still have upside potential and look poised to establish record highs in the nearing weeks.

Seafood

The season for Gulf oysters began on November 1. Multiple bays are closed in order to safeguard and rebuild oyster reefs. The limited harvesting locations may remain accessible for an undetermined amount of time, but Portico Imperial Oysters will be available starting in January 2023. In Texas and Louisiana, landings of head-on shrimp for peeling have significantly decreased. The landing of Headless Whites 10/15, 16/20, and 21/25 has slowed down. Mahi-mahi sales are declining as consumers get ready for the upcoming 2022–2023 season. Some importers are selling their inventory at a loss.

November 18, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, November 21, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Vegetable supplies out of the Salinas Valley are considerably limited due to ongoing weather issues. The most affected are the lettuces (green leaf, red leaf, romaine and iceburg). Supplies out of Mexico saw a slight increase but supplies remain limited due to the heavy rainfall, hail and wind damage experienced two weeks ago. Growers continue to see quality issues such as tip burn, fringe burn, pin rot, browning and lighter weights

Grains

Despite reports of rising stocks, the soybean oil market rose. We are anticipating the EPA’s statement regarding the approval of Canola for use in biodiesel. Canola oil will probably rise while the price of soybean oil may decrease as a result. On account of rising Chinese demand, Palm was up.

Dairy

Shell egg markets are soft in California but continue to increase everywhere else. Demand is increasing, causing the cheese markets to rebound. Continued holiday demand is causing the butter market to increase.

Beef

Because everyone is thinking about Thanksgiving, box beef demand is suffering, which has a negative impact on pricing. There are a few promising signs; ribs and tenderloins are still popular despite their limited supply and cyclical demand. Strips are becoming softer, but boxes of the highest quality are still hard to come by, while choice and choose continue to oversupply the market.

Pork

Although they continued to go downward this week, butts were mostly flat. Still, ribs are descending, but more slowly than previous week. Supplies clearing out stockpiles is what has caused the drop. Because November is a slow month for pork, loins also continue to trend lower. Compared to prior weeks, bellies were slightly higher. There is a stable market for bacon notwithstanding low demand.

Poultry

The season for wings has arrived, but there are still many options at reasonable costs. Product is easily accessible, and there are more tenders available. Seasonally low breast prices will persist through the end of the year, but estimates for slower production will result in a supply shortage. Thigh meat without a bone is widely accessible.

Seafood

The season for Gulf oysters began on November 1. Multiple bays are closed in order to safeguard and rebuild oyster reefs. The limited harvesting locations may remain accessible for an undetermined amount of time, but Portico Imperial Oysters will be available starting in January 2023. In Texas and Louisiana, landings of head-on shrimp for peeling have significantly decreased. The landing of Headless Whites 10/15, 16/20, and 21/25 has slowed down.

November 14, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, November 14, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Vegetable supplies out of the Salinas Valley are considerably limited due to ongoing weather issues. The most affected are the lettuces (green leaf, red leaf, romaine and iceburg). Supplies out of Mexico saw a slight increase but supplies remain limited due to the heavy rainfall, hail and wind damage experienced two weeks ago. Growers continue to see quality issues such as tip burn, fringe burn, pin rot, browning and lighter weights

Grains

Soybean oil futures rose sharply as a result of the South American soybean crop’s bad start, Brazil’s announcement that it will utilize more soybean oil for biofuel, as well as ongoing logistics concerns. As farmers are reluctant to sell Canola seed to the market, Palm followed suit, and Canola saw rises.

Dairy

Milk is shifting back to cheese production causing cheese markets to drop. Butter markets had dropped but are now starting to go back up. Shell eggs continue to climb but California markets are falling.

Beef

A stable market should be considered as a positive for packers as retail ramps up for the Thanksgiving holiday. Premium grade boxes and light weight range products are driving the ribs market, which is still strong. Strips are mixed; however, premium grade boxes continue to rise while Choice and Select appear to be stagnating. Grinds are steady, and chucks and rounds appear to be leveling.

Pork

Butts continue to trend lower and will do so marginally next week. Because suppliers are clearing off stockpiles, rib prices are still falling quickly. Due to November being a slow month for pork, loins are also heading downward. As supplies are pushed out, belly sizes are decreasing.

Poultry

The season for wings has arrived, but there are still many options at reasonable costs. Product is easily accessible, and there are more tenders available. All sizes of breasts are widely available, but as the holidays draw near, supply will become more scarce as demand falls. Thigh meat without a bone is widely accessible.

Seafood

The season for Gulf oysters began last week, but there are several bay closures planned to save and rebuild oyster reefs. Texas Parks and Wildlife is unsure of how long the few harvesting zones will remain open. Mahi-mahi sales are declining as consumers get ready for the upcoming 2022–2023 season. Some importers are selling their inventory at a loss. In Texas and Louisiana, landings of head-on shrimp for peeling have significantly decreased. The landing of Headless Whites 10/15, 16/20, and 21/25 has slowed down.

November 14, 2022 BlogUncategorizedBy Annie Pepanyan

Tackle Winter With These Restaurant Solutions

Nothing beats a warm meal indoors at your favorite restaurant. Even with the cold winter season approaching, restaurant dining remains in full action.

Give your customers the ultimate dining experience that’ll be sure to bring them back. From high-quality uniforms and take-out solutions to delicious, easy to prep food items, tackle cold winter months in ways that save you both time and money.

Let’s take a look at solutions you can use to prepare your operation for the upcoming winter season:

Off-premise dining is just as popular as on-premise dining. To keep your to-go orders blooming and your profits increasing this winter season, secure your customers’ takeout with high-quality disposables.

Consolidated Concepts partners with top manufacturers like Dart, Sabert, Huhtamaki, Fabri-Kal, and StrawFish that give you access to savings opportunities on takeout and delivery solutions. Protect food orders with the right packaging that’ll satisfy customers and give your operation a safe, successful winter season.

Making a good first impression to customers is essential when running a restaurant operation. High-quality uniforms will reflect your brand and please your staff while presenting professionalism and cleanliness.

From slip resistant shoes perfect for battling slippery winter days to customizable uniforms from Cintas that keep your staff looking pristine and feeling warm, you’re guaranteed savings on items that your employees wear every shift.

With uniforms built with moisture-wicking Cool Vent™ technology, your staff can overcome the battle of hot and cold from stepping indoor to outdoor while serving customers through our Chef Works Program.

Warm, comfort foods are key to bringing in profits during the winter season. Keep your customers delighted and back-of-house pleased with quality, easy to prep food and beverage items. We’ve partnered with popular brands to bring you cost-effective food and beverage solutions that are sure to boost sales and help you tackle winter.

Did you know that Barilla is the world’s number one pasta? When you add Barilla pasta to your menu, you’re adding quality, variety, and consistency. Imagine the array of dishes you could create with such a versatile food item that can be enjoyed by everyone, even those with special dietary needs. From protein packed pasta to gluten-free, the options are endless this winter for the perfect, warm, pasta dish.

Another winter staple is a good ol’ bowl of soup. Increase your profits and reduce labor when incorporating Campbell’s soups to your menus! Delight your guests with speed-scratch solutions guaranteed to give them that fresh, homemade taste they’re longing for. Offer soup as a stand-alone or a side to entrees and watch guests line up for this crowd-favorite.

Don’t forget the potatoes! Offer hearty mashed potatoes your guests will love, all while keeping your prep time down, and bottom-line in mind. With Idahoan® Real Mashed Potatoes, you can create signature dishes that’ll thrill both your staff and customers.

That’s not all. There’s nothing better than ending the night with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a rich cup of coffee. Treat your customers and add brands like Folgers 1850® Coffee and Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa to your beverage menus!

Creating a clean and safe environment for guests is key to keeping your restaurant profitable during the upcoming winter months. As a restaurant operator, the last thing you’d want to do is expose your staff and guests to an unsanitary facility, especially during cold & flu season. As a Consolidated Concepts member, you receive exclusive discounts and savings on sanitation products like the Dixie Ultra™ Surface System and Tork® Skincare solutions.

Did you know that cloth towels in the open-bucket environment can lose proper sanitizing strength within 30 minutes? The Dixie Ultra™ Surface System changes everything. Welcome to a new era of surface sanitizing!

Tork® offers a complete line of products designed to meet all your skincare needs for both front and back of house. Whether you prefer foam or liquid soaps and sanitizers, or manual or automatic dispensers, Tork® has the right solution to keep your operation clean and healthy.

Maintenance around the restaurant with hard-to-find items can cause a strain in operations. HD Supply can prepare you for the cooler months with essential items to create a memorable customer experience. Another benefit you get access to is our partnership with Grainger. Take advantage of programs with competitive pricing and savings on all you need to maintain your operation.

Don’t waste any more time, prepare your restaurant today and ensure you’re on the road to tackle a winter season.

Our savings solutions here at Consolidated Concepts are guaranteed to bring your restaurant a clean, healthy, and profitable winter season!

With access to high-quality products and easy to prep menu items, you’ll be able to tackle the winter season while satisfying all your customer and staff needs!

Contact us today!

November 5, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, November 7, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Vegetable supplies out of the Salinas Valley are considerably limited due to ongoing weather issues. The most affected are the lettuces (green leaf, red leaf, romaine and iceburg). Supplies out of Mexico saw a slight increase but supplies remain limited due to the heavy rainfall, hail and wind damage experienced two weeks ago. Growers continue to see quality issues such as tip burn, fringe burn, pin rot, browning and lighter weights

Grains

The Black Sea Grain Initiative may be terminated by Russia, and low diesel fuel stockpiles all increased pressure on soybean oil. Prices for palm oil increased as well, but more so because Malaysian demand increased. With Canada’s harvest over, canola is essentially flat.

Dairy

The previous several days have seen a substantial decline in butter markets; fall orders appear to be finished. While a new instance of AI is being reported, shell egg sales are still rising. Cheese sales are declining as cheese manufacturing returns to milk.

Beef

Packers are still gathering animals, and they are intent on obtaining as many Choice and Select boxes as possible for the upcoming holiday season. Ribs keep going strong, but it’s hard to find light-weight products and packs of top quality. Round slices, chuck rolls, and strips all continue to be produced steadily.

Pork

Butts are seeing some modest market concessions, despite increased demand from retailers and exporters. With historic cold storage levels, the price of ribs is still declining, and suppliers keep building up their supplies. Because exports are preventing this market from declining, loin prices are also declining, though not as much as was anticipated. There is a good supply and a downward trend in belly size.

Poultry

The whole bird was up. Breasts had fallen. Tenders significantly decreased. Medium and jumbo wings were covered. Flat wings that were little. Boneless thigh flesh was greatly reduced. Leg meat without bones was on sale. Although it is wing season, there are still plenty of wings available. Prices are falling quickly and there are more tenders available. Breasts of every size are widely accessible, and costs are dropping. Prices for boneless thigh meat decreased once more this week. Boneless leg meat prices keep dropping. Cut ups and whole birds had a greater price.

Seafood

Due to conservation concerns, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced the closure of the Alaskan Red King crab season and the Alaskan snow crab season for 2022–2023. As processors find new labor sources, catfish production keeps becoming better. In Texas and Louisiana, landings of head-on shrimp for peeling have significantly decreased.

October 28, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, October 31, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Vegetable supplies out of the Salinas Valley are considerably limited due to ongoing weather issues. The most affected are the lettuces (green leaf, red leaf, romaine and iceburg). Supplies out of Mexico saw a slight increase but supplies remain limited due to the heavy rainfall, hail and wind damage experienced two weeks ago. Growers continue to see quality issues such as tip burn, fringe burn, pin rot, browning and lighter weights

Grains

Canola moved sideways as the crop is nearly 100% complete. The crop looks good but inconsistent across different growing regions.

Dairy

Prices for shell eggs are rising once more as demand rises and supplies become more scarce. Butter prices are stable as the conclusion of the holiday shopping season draws closer. The supply situation for blocks of cheese is good, and there is some pressure in the barrel market.

Beef

The market can be best defined as unsettled as a result of the harvest number being higher than anticipated last week and packers’ pricing trajectory rising. Ribs continue to command higher prices, with premium grade packaging and light weight range products. Strip production is still strong, but in the coming months, there won’t be as many premium boxes available for purchase. The grind is constant.

Pork

The market for butts is expected to rise as a result of increased demand from merchants, which is expected to continue steady for the coming week. In line with seasonal trends, the market for boneless loins remains soft. Due to suppliers clearing out their cold storage stocks, the price of ribs is still declining. After the recent increase, the enthusiasm for bellies has calmed off. Ham levels remain high.

Poultry

Although it is wing season, there are still plenty of wings available. Prices are falling quickly and there are more tenders available. Breasts of every size are widely accessible, and costs are dropping. Prices for boneless thigh meat decreased once more this week. Boneless leg meat prices keep dropping. Cut-ups and whole birds had greater prices.

Seafood

Due to conservation concerns, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced the closure of the Alaskan Red King crab season and the Alaskan snow crab season for 2022–2023. As processors find new labor sources, catfish production keeps becoming better. In Texas and Louisiana, landings of head-on shrimp for peeling have significantly decreased.

October 21, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, October 24, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Vegetable supplies out of the Salinas Valley are considerably limited due to ongoing weather issues. The most affected are the lettuces (green leaf, red leaf, romaine and iceburg). Supplies out of Mexico saw a slight increase but supplies remain limited due to the heavy rainfall, hail and wind damage experienced two weeks ago. Growers continue to see quality issues such as tip burn, fringe burn, pin rot, browning and lighter weights

Grains

The bushels of soybeans produced per acre by the USDA were far lower than anticipated, which caused bean prices to rise. Since fewer beans result in less oil, soybean oil rose. Canola and palm had a plentiful supply and were flat.

Dairy

Demand for cheese in the foodservice and retail sectors is uneven. Cream prices fell, softening the butter market. Despite the fact that there have been no new occurrences of avian influenza, shell egg costs are still very high.

Beef

Last week, the average USDA Choice boxed-beef cutout lost 0.24 percent from the prior week, and it was 12.2 percent lower than a year ago. Beef production declined 0.6 percent from the prior week, but it was 2.2 percent larger than a year ago. Despite rising live and feeder cattle prices, most beef markets, especially the steak cuts, continue to struggle, which suggests that overall beef demand is waning.

Pork

The price of bone-in butts is rising as a result of increased demand from retailers. Boneless butts experienced a small decline, but they will rise throughout the week. As providers exhaust their older stocks, the market is displaying weakness for all rib cuts. Following the brief run from last week, bellies are comparatively flat. Ham prices are still high and are predicted to remain so.

Poultry

Wing season has arrived, but there are lots of huge wings available now. Prices are falling quickly and there are more tenders available. All breasts are easily accessible, and the cost is going down. Prices for boneless thigh meat decreased once more this week. Compared to dark meat alternatives, boneless leg meat is more widely accessible.

Seafood

National Seafood Month occurs in October! As specialities on the menu to honor the event, now is a fantastic time to advertise shrimp, lobsters, salmon, cod, tuna, catfish, mahi-mahi, tilapia, and snow crab. Due to conservation concerns, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has canceled the 2023 fishing season for both Alaska Red King crab and Alaska Snow crab. For the Alaska Red King crab, this is the second season.

October 13, 2022 UncategorizedBy Steve Moody

Freshly Picked, October 17, 2022

Alerts & What’s Trending

Produce

Weather issues (heat and rainfall_ continue to linger across several growing regions, leading to tightened supplies and quality issues, resulting in overall higher markets. Vegetable production out of the Salinas Valley continues to see a decrease in supply due to the virus. Additionally, the commodities still continue to see increased heat-related issues such as lighter weights, fringe burn, tip burn, internal burn, discoloration and lower shelf life.

Grains

Soybean harvests are behind while canola harvests are almost complete. Palm oil and Canola oil prices were forced higher due to higher soybean prices. Low water in the Mississippi River and higher crude oil has caused higher soybean prices.

Dairy

Last week saw gains in both cheese markets thanks to stable foodservice demand and inconsistent retail demand. Despite being more accessible, butter prices were higher. Egg prices decreased as the supply rose. The price of milk increased as inventories increased.

Beef

The cattle market is still one that feels generally stable. Ribs stay consistent, with quality boxes and light-weight products commanding higher prices. Stripes are still softer, and there are still few luxury options available. As consumers wait for the arrival of fall weather to increase demand for roast, chucks and round cuts remain steady. The end of grilling season has resulted in lower costs for grind.

Pork

Butts should keep moving down the slope in which they currently find themselves. Due to the excess inventory in cold storage, the market for ribs is currently moving sideways. In contrast to the premiums we have been seeing every year, loins are also down. As retail demand for bacon soared, bellies bulged. Hams are now flat. Inventory is limited for the upcoming holidays.

Poultry

Demand for wings is stable. Prices are falling quickly and there are more tenders available. The market for random breasts is declining. Breasts for portion control are available, and their costs are going down. Prices for boneless thigh meat decreased once more this week. Compared to dark meat alternatives, boneless leg meat is more widely accessible. Higher are whole birds.

Seafood

The Bristol Bay Red King Crab season in the Bering Sea will be closed for a second year in a row, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game stated Monday. For the first time in recent memory, the snow crab season in the Bering Sea will be closed. Due to low catches, there is a limited quantity of canned chopped clams for chowders.

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