Good Morning! Avocados – Have had a tough summer. It started out with USDA inspectors getting kidnapped in Michoacan, Mexico. So… the USDA refused to allow imports of Mexican avocados for about 2 weeks until they could sort out the security of the inspectors over there. This caused a gap in supply, raising prices for a few weeks. Now availability from orchards in Mexico has become very limited and we can expect a much lower amount of fruit coming into the U.S. California. Peru will soon be at the tail end of their respective seasons, so pricing volatility will be present for the rest of August. Citrus – Valencia orange and lemon markets continue to be elevated due to limited availability and a reduction in crop size. Excessive heat in California has limited harvesting windows. Subsequently, there is a surcharge on labor wages. The heat has taken a toll on quality, so expect mostly choice grades available. Crops were originally projected to have larger yields this season, but use caution as supply is going to get tighter as we move through August. Eggs – Markets always climb in the heat of summer, with many egg farms losing chickens in the hot weather. This year as well farmers are dealing with the avian flu causing the destruction of millions of laying hens. The shorter supplies are keeping pricing strong. Surprisingly, the higher prices are only affecting white eggs. Our cage free eggs are at a locked price, thus we get a better egg for our customers at a lower price than typical white eggs. Grapes – Temperatures in the Central Valley growing regions have finally cooled down to the mid-90s this week. The cooler weather will help increase inventory levels due to the return of full picking days. Melons – Local melons of all types are still making it to market, though quality has suffered due to the heavy rains last week. Melons of all types are growing seemingly everywhere now (it is summertime afterall) keeping pricing low and making it a great time to feature them. Potatoes – Some growing areas are beginning harvest now for their fall crop of reds, whites, yukons, and even russets. We’ll happily be into new crop baking potatoes soon and enjoying the better quality. I was riding by a dairy farm near my house and saw a cow playing the harmonica. Astonished, I drove up to the barn and asked the farmer about his cow. He replied, “Yeah, she’s a moosician.”