Last week the National Restaurant Association released its annual chef survey anticipating the hottest trends that will be seen in the coming year. With over 700 professional chefs from across the nation participating, which predictions do you think will take hold in 2018? 

TOP 5 FOOD TRENDS

1. New cuts of meat
2. House-made condiments
3. Street food inspired dishes
4. Ethnic inspired breakfast items
5. Sustainable seafood  

TOP 5 CONCEPT TRENDS

1. Hyper local
2. Chef-driven fast casual concepts
3. Natural ingredients/clean menus
4. Food waste reduction
5. Vegetable-forward cuisine

 

READ THE FULL SURVEY SURVEY RESULTS HERE (PDF)

Ventura County agricultural leaders are awaiting winds and flare ups to subside before assessing the impact last week's fires have had on the avocados and lemons grown in the area. Starting last Monday night the fire spread quickly throughout the following days with the aid of strong Santa Ana winds and is estimated to have decimated well over 100,000 acres.

 

Several 100 acres of avocado crops are expected to have been consumed in the fire. Throughout Ventura County 18,500 acres are dedicated to avocados (~34% of CA's total avocado acreage). With the primary avocado harvest taking place in February it's far too soon to know just how much affect the damage will have on the market.

 

As for lemons, 80% of CA supply is grown in Ventura County. As of last Friday there were no estimates pertaining how many acres may have been destroyed, however, there were unfortunately several reports of growers having lost farm structures and housing.

Peddler's Son Produce & Provisions | 602-253-3577 | PeddlersSon.com