• The Massive Growth in Restaurant Technology has Created Tremendous Opportunity 
• How Tech Helps Restaurants Go Green and Make Green 
• How to Adjust Your Restaurant Menu for Winter Profits 
• How to Prepare for Holiday Season Supply Chain Troubles 
• Loyalty Programs are Levelling the Playing Field for Smaller Restaurants 

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.

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. 

The Sea

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. 

The Garden

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

The Kitchen Sink

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.

Grain

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.