Index: Commodities Update: Pg. 3-5 Add/Delete Sheet: Pg. 5-6 Floral Survey: Pg. 7-12 10295 Toebben Drive Independence, KY 41051 PRODUCE TALK Volume 28 Issue 38 September 21, 2017

SWEETEST DAY Sweetest Day is a holiday that is celebrated in the Midwest United States and parts of the Northeastern United States on the third Saturday in . It is a day to share romantic deeds or expressions. Ten states and parts of two states observe Sweetest Day: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Washington and areas of both New York and Pennsylvania, west of the spine of the Appalachian Mountains. Sweetest Day has also been referred to as a “concocted promotion” created by the candy industry solely to increase sales of sweets. Origin The first Sweetest Day was on October 10, 1921 in . The Cleveland Plain Dealer's October 8, 1922 edition, which chronicles the first Sweetest Day in Cleveland, states that the first Sweetest Day was planned by a committee of 12 confectioners chaired by candymaker C. C. Hartzell. The Sweetest Day in the Year Committee distributed over 20,000 boxes of candy to "newsboys, orphans, old folks, and the poor" in Cleveland, Ohio. The Sweetest Day in the Year Committee was assisted in the distribution of candy by some of the biggest movie stars of the day including Theda Bara and Ann Pennington.

There were also several attempts to start a "Sweetest Day" in , including a declaration of a Candy Day throughout the United States by candy manufacturers on October 8, 1922. In 1927, The New York Times reported that "the powers that determine the nomenclature of the weeks of October" decreed that the week beginning on October 10, 1927 would be known as Sweetest Week. On September 25, 1937, The New York Times reported under Advertising News and Notes that The National Confectioners Association had launched a "movement throughout the candy industry" to rank Sweetest Day with the nationally accepted Mother's Day, Father's Day, and St. Valentine's Day. In 1940, another Sweetest Day was proclaimed on October 19. The promotional event was marked by the distribution of more than 10,000 boxes of candy by the Sweetest Day Committee. The candy was distributed among 26 local charities. 225 children were given candy in the chapel at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children on October 17, 1940. 600 boxes of candy were also delivered to the presidents of the Jewish, Protestant and Catholic Big Sister groups of New York.

www.crosset.com Good Selling!! Recipe (Source: Allrecipes.com) HONEY MUSTARD MOZZARELLA CHICKEN Ingredients: 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 3/4 cup honey 1/2 cup prepared mustard Lemon pepper to taste 4 slices bacon, cut in half 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 2. Place the chicken breast halves in a baking dish, and drizzle evenly with honey and mustard. Sprinkle with lemon pepper. 3. Bake chicken 25 minutes in the preheated oven. Top each breast half with 2 bacon slice halves, and sprinkle evenly with cheese. Continue baking 10 minutes, or until chicken juices run clear, bacon is crisp, and cheese is bubbly.

CHEESECAKE PIE Ingredients: 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla extract 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls 3/4 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 1/4 cup honey

Directions: 1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. 2. Beat the cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. 3. Unroll the cans of crescent roll dough, and use a rolling pin to shape each piece into 9x13 inch rectangles. Press one piece into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture into the baking dish, then cover with the remaining piece of crescent dough. Stir together 3/4 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Dot the mixture over the top of the cheesecake. 4. Bake in the preheated oven until the crescent dough has puffed and turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 squares.

www.crosset.com Good Selling!! Western Vegetables AVOCADOS: Organic avocados are extremely tight right now. Prices will remain high until mid-October when the New Mexican crop starts. BROCCOLI: The broccoli market has tightened up in the west. Volumes have decreased in the fields as product pulled forward the past few weeks due to warm weather in addition to product being affected by the heat from two weeks ago. We are transitioning into Michigan product as it is a strong market with great quality. CAULIFLOWER: Volumes remain steady from the past few weeks. We are starting to see the effects of the heat two weeks ago and yields have begun to drop lightly. Volumes are expected to remain lighter than average for the next four weeks. CELERY: The celery market remains somewhat depressed. Industry is still tight as yields have been affected due to quality issues. Volumes are expected to increase as we move closer to November. GREEN ONIONS: Product continues to be extremely tight as the growing region in Mexico underwent extreme heat followed by hurricane rains which have caused many fields to be submerged in water. LETTUCE: There is a wide range in quality and pricing throughout the industry. The product has been through a lot of different weather patterns which has caused it some stress. With high temperatures followed by humid nights and foggy/wet mornings. Product has been pulling forward with minor quality issues. Value-Added Shortages continue to increase in the Salinas Valley due to the extreme heat. Baby spinach, arugula, spring mix and butter lettuce are some of the items most affected at this time. Expect limited supplies of these items and any salad blend containing them over the next few weeks. Southern Vegetables BEANS: Good supplies from Michael’s; will go to about October 15th, weather permitting. CABBAGE: Good supplies; will go to November 10th. CORN: Supplies and prices have dropped off due to lack of demand. CUCUMBERS, EGGPLANTS, YELLOW & ZUCHINNI SQUASH: Market has increased drastically over the last 4-5 days due to cool nights. GREENS: Good supplies on collard, mustard, kale and topps. ONIONS: Markets remain steady; supplies and quality are good. PEPPERS: Good supplies out of California. POTATOES: Markets remain mostly steady. Large Idaho bakers have come down in price; supplies continue to grow and quality is improving. Organics BEETS: Beets still remain a challenge due to curly top virus that impacts the plant leaves and bulb. Supplies will be limited for a few more weeks until growers move to lower elevation new fields that should be clean. BROCCOLI: Due to weather issues (heat) in growing regions in the west, we are seeing suppliers limit available supply driving market cost up. There will be discoloration to the tops as heat will cause a darker head on the broccoli. BUNCH CARROTS: Supply is available, though due to high temps, we are seeing discoloration to the tops of the product. CABBAGE: Regional supply has really come on from Ohio and other surrounding areas. Great time for promotion! CAULIFLOWER: Supplies are starting to improve and the quality is good. Market has gradually decreased; high temperatures out west should not affect supply. www.crosset.com Good Selling!! CELERY: Supply is getting better as we have moved up in to California product starting out. Pricing has come down and it’s getting promotable. CUCUMBERS: Supply is extremely limited! Western supply has not been available and most product in the southeast has been affected by the various weather issues. GREEN PEPPERS: Steady supplies regionally with good quality. KALES: Great supplies of kale currently; plenty of regional product from all over the Midwest available. We are sourcing from North Carolina, Ohio and other regions. Product is in great supply and pricing is very promotable. LETTUCES: The inbound quality we are seeing out west is showing russet and leaf mildew. We are sourcing as much from Canada as possible due to better quality. Iceberg lettuce will be a struggle as supply is not meeting good arrival. RADISHES: Supplies are improving with better quality tops. Very little damage now to the tops and they look much cleaner than they have been. YELLOW SQUASH & ZUCCHINI: Supply has been very good out of Ohio on the zucchini with yellow being much more limited. Asparagus Scarce supplies due to the hurricane; should improve over the end of this week and into next week. Looking at better volume and better pricing as we go into October. Fruit APPLES & PEARS: New Crop Washington apples are starting to roll in new varieties will be added each week. Looks to be a good crop this year with the volume being in 80 size and smaller. New crop Washington Honeycrisp are now available. Adding new varieties weekly, check your catalog. Michigan Honeycrisp are now available and the fruit is beautiful. New Crop Washington pears are starting; crop outlook is good this year. BLACKBERRIES: Weak quality out of California as recent stretch of extreme heat has caused shortage and quality issues; price firm, as supplies out of Mexico and Guatemala keeping berries in the system. Organic blackberries jumped significantly with little overall supplies available due to main production is out of California. BLUEBERRIES: Starting to make the transition in the next couple of weeks to Argentina. Pricing will go up slightly and then come back down as that volume builds. Organics are definitely tightening up and the prices have jumped dramatically. CANTALOUPES & HONEYDEWS: Domestic cantaloupe and honeydew pricing is a promotable level. CITRUS: Imported navel oranges and Minneola tangelos are still available. Quality is very good and markets are steady. CLEMENTINES: Good steady volume continuing out of Southern America; 2# and 3# bags predominated retail pack. FIGS: Good supply on both Brown Turkey and Black Mission. Quality has been iffy recently because of the heat but improving as heat has eased and back into more normal conditions. GRAPES: Good volume on Reds; transferring into Crimsons and other late season red varieties. Holidays still scheduled to load next week and on order guides for the week of October 2nd. Green seedless moving into newer late varieties and should see improved quality going forward. Organics are still in good volume into October. PINEAPPLES: Supplies are steady. POMEGRANATES: Pomegranate season has been slow to start out but should start to see more volume; the heat has affected the coloring to the pomegranate so harvest has been reduced. Still picking early Wonderful’s; full Wonderful variety wont’ start until around second week of October. www.crosset.com Good Selling!! RASPBERRIES: Like strawberries, we are starting to see supply affected by the higher temperature. STRAWBERRIES: With the increased temperatures in growing regions, we are starting to see loading and available supply slow down. Inbound quality will be an issue as with higher temperatures will bring increased bruising and sun-scold. Stone Fruit California stone fruit season is coming to close on some varieties. Nectarines coming off guides for this coming week. Plums are getting scarce, with Red plum slated to wrap up in October and Black Angelo will run through late fall to cap off the season. Some varieties of Pluots have finished but still available are the reds, and Dapple Dandy’s. Organic peaches and nectarines remain in good supply out of Washington State. Tropical Fruit BABY FRENCH BEANS: Good volume. KIWI: Organic kiwi is in a transition period. The New Zealand deal is over. Chilean fruit is available but supplies are spotty; will remain that way until Italy begins. LIMES: Prices have firmed up and increased on some sizes with better demand this week. Size 200 and large remained limited. Overall quality is very nice. MANGOES: Organic mangos will go into a short two to three week gap beginning in October. We will see relief toward the end of October. MARIDOL PAPAYAS/ GOLD PAPAYAS: Market moved upward. SUGAR SNAP PEAS/SNO PEAS: Strong markets out Guatemala.

Merchandising Tips Fall Harvest Displays Fall is an exciting time to make creative displays inside and outside of your store. The cooler weather provides the opportunity for building attractive and colorful displays of fresh produce and floral. Plan to include the following items in your displays; caramel apples, apple cider, new crop apples, pumpkins, pie pumpkins, Indian corn, gourds, hard shell squash, mums and asters. Expand your displays with as many of these items as possible including all of the varieties of new crop apples that are available. Fall outside sales and additional displays outside of the produce department can significantly increase your department sales.

www.crosset.com Good Selling!! CROSSET NEW ITEM & DELETION SHEET W/B: 10/1/17

ITEM # NEW ITEMS SIZE 64040 CV Mango Fruit 9ct 9ct 64070 CV Mango Fruit 5ct 5ct 64015 OG Mango 9ct 9ct 64045 OG Mango 6ct 6ct 27841 black walnuts 18/8oz 35310 apple chips red del. 12/2.5oz 35315 apple chips cinnamon 12/2.5oz 35320 apple chips caramel 12/2.5oz 35325 apple chips gold 12/2.5oz 35345 apple chips granny 12/2.5oz 610515 choc peanut cluster 23# 610640 pumpkin creams 30# 610950 orange slices 30# 610430 choc cream drops 30# 610446 caramel nut cluster 23# 610505 choc bridge mix 34# 610510 double dip peanuts 35# 94850 peanut brittle 20# 610144 candy corn 30# 610195 autumn mix 30# 610232 fruit slices 30# 15110 Og Bulk Turnips 25# 22010 Og Bulk Rutabaga 25# 21320 Og Orangetti Squash 35# 38041 OG DANJOU PEAR 40# 28430 125 CT RED DEL APPLE 40# 33738 125 CT GALA APPLE 40# 35147 3# MICH FUJI APPLE 12/3# 34230 3# JONATHON APPLE 12/3# 34849 80 CT MICH MACINTOSH APPLE 12/3# 28825 80 CT WXF GOLD DEL APPLE 40# 28495 3# OG RED DEL APPLE 12/3# 87025 Russet Potato #2 100/10# 87026 Russet Potato 100/10# 81065 OG Sweet Onion 40# www.crosset.com Good Selling!! DELETIONS 64025 CV Mango Fruit 10ct 10ct 64056 OG Mango 10ct 10ct 28720 peanuts Indians 18/12oz 103558 zeaty ranch drsng 6/10oz 66031 cranberries dried 12/6oz 66033 dried blueberries 12/3oz 68064 dried cherries 12/5oz 6310 OG Corn 12/4ct 20830 Og Bunch Carrots w/tops 24ct 9494 Endive 12ct 9591 Escarole 12ct 1345 OG HONEYDEW 6ct 30030 BRAEBURN APPLE 40# 35005 OG CRIPPS PINK 40# 35045 OG CRIPPS PINK 12/3# 1230 SUMMER KISS MELONS 9ct 73019 OG Black Plums 28# 78515 Pt Blueberries 12pt 72035 PP Nectarines 18# 72015 VF Nectarines 25# 73525 Pluots -Black 9# 73535 Pluots - Black 18# 27025 Avocados 20ct 101465 Star Fruit 16ct

www.crosset.com Good Selling!!

THE 2017 SWEETEST DAY SURVEY Saturday, October 21, 2017

www.crosset.com Good Selling!! ROSES

50CM SINGLE ROSE BQT 50CM TRIPLE ROSE BQT

ITEM #: 705569 ITEM #: 708827 PACK: 40 PACK: 25 CASE COST: $109.95 CASE COST: $82.95 UNIT COST: $2.75 UNIT COST: $3.32 RETAIL: $3.99 RETAIL: $4.99 G.P. %: 31% G.P. %: 33% 50CM HALF DOZEN ROSE BQT 40CM DOZEN ROSE BQT 40/60

ITEM #: 701367 ITEM #: 701042 PACK: 20 PACK: 10 CASE COST: $103.95 CASE COST: $74.95 UNIT COST: $5.20 UNIT COST: $7.50 RETAIL: $7.99 RETAIL: $10.99 G.P. %: 35% G.P. %: 32% 40CM DOZEN ROSE BQT COLOR 50CM DOZEN ROSE BQT 40/60

ITEM #: 701067 ITEM #: 701051 PACK: 10 PACK: 10 CASE COST: $84.95 CASE COST: $74.95 UNIT COST: $8.50 UNIT COST: $7.50 RETAIL: $12.99 RETAIL: $10.99 G.P. %: 35% G.P. %: 32%

Customer #:______

Fax To: 859-817-7633(ATTN: Joshua Omedeo) Phone: 859-817-7656 Return By: October 5, 2017 www.crosset.com Good Selling!! MORE ROSES

50CM DOZEN ROSE BQT COLOR 50CM DOZEN ROSE BQT RED

ITEM #: 703329 ITEM #: 701052 PACK: 10 PACK: 10 CASE COST: $87.95 CASE COST: $84.95 UNIT COST: $8.80 UNIT COST: $8.50 RETAIL: $13.99 RETAIL: $12.99 G.P. %: 37% G.P. %: 35% 50CM DOZEN RAINBOW ROSE BQT BUD VASE ASST. (DOZEN ROSES)

ITEM #: 701019 ITEM #: 701366 PACK: 10 PACK: 9 CASE COST: $89.95 CASE COST: $129.95 UNIT COST: $8.99 UNIT COST: $14.44 RETAIL: $14.99 RETAIL: $24.99 G.P. %: 40% G.P. %: 42%

Customer #:______

Fax To: 859-817-7633(ATTN: Joshua Omedeo) Phone: 859-817-7656 Return By: October 5, 2017

www.crosset.com Good Selling!! BOUQUETS

SWEET AND YOU BQT MY SWEET LOVE BQT

ITEM #: 708047 PACK: 16 ITEM #: 703330 CASE COST: $109.95 PACK: 15 UNIT COST: $6.87 CASE COST: $104.95 RETAIL: $9.99 UNIT COST: $7.00 G.P. %: 31% RETAIL: $10.99 G.P. %: 36% SWEET LOVE BQT SWEETIE PIE BQT

ITEM #: 701088 ITEM #: 705445 CASE PACK: 10 PACK: 10 CASE COST: $99.95 CASE COST: $109.95 UNIT COST: $9.99 UNIT COST: $10.99 RETAIL: $15.99 RETAIL: $17.99 G.P. %: 38% G.P. %: 39%

Customer #:______

Fax To: 859-817-7633(ATTN: Joshua Omedeo) Phone: 859-817-7656 Return By: October 5, 2017

www.crosset.com Good Selling!! POTTED ITEMS/ORDER FORM

Item # Description Pack Case Retail G.P. Thursday Friday Thursday Friday Cost % 10/12 10/13 10/19 10/20

701753 2.5” Mini Orchid 15 $124.95 $14.99 44%

705407 6” Kalanchoe 8 $49.95 $8.99 31%

701263 4” Mini Rose 18 $69.95 $5.99 35%

707269 6” Mini Rose 8 $59.95 $11.99 37%

706817 6” Reiger Begonia 8 $49.95 $8.99 31%

705005 6” Gerbera Daisy 8 $49.95 $8.99 31%

707621 6” African Violet 8 $69.95 $13.99 38%

MINI ROSE KALANCHOE REIGER BEGONIA

GERBERA DAISY AFRICAN VIOLET MINI ORCHID

Customer #:______

Fax To: 859-817-7633(ATTN: Joshua Omedeo) Phone: 859-817-7656 Return By: October 5, 2017 www.crosset.com Good Selling!! ROSES & BOUQUETS ORDER FORM

Item # Monday 10/16 Tuesday 10/17 Wednesday 10/18 Thursday 10/18 Friday 10/19

705569

708827

701367

701042

701067

701051

703329

701052

701019

701366

708047

703330

701088

705445 Customer #:______

Fax To: 859-817-7633(ATTN: Joshua Omedeo) Phone: 859-817-7656 Return By: October 5, 2017 THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING CROSSET FLORAL!

www.crosset.com Good Selling!!