A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale Fruit and Vegetables

A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale Fruit and Vegetables Ltd.

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A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale - Your Partner In Produce

Committed To Providing You With Premium Quality Produce And Unsurpassed Service

For over 50 years, discerning chefs from southern Ontario have grown to trust A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale Fruit and Vegetables for premium quality produce, unprecedented service and unique products that provide them with a competitive advantage. From knowledgeable drivers to a comprehensive pre-cut fruit and vegetable program, you will find all your fresh produce requirements at A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale. We take great pride in the relationships we have established with over 800 of the finest restaurants in southern Ontario and understand it is a privilege to serve them. Our team never loses sight of what has made A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale successful for over 50 years... "service first" service, premium quality products, honesty and integrity and above all, striving to exceed the expectations of our customers. Service ExcellenceInnovative ProductsMarket NewsWe have been servicing some of the finest restaurants in southern Ontario for over 50 years. We recognize that we are a "service first" company and take great pride in the relationships that we have established with all of our customers. For more information, click here.At the best of times, it's difficult to make sense of what's going on in the produce industry. A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale distributes a weekly update as well as a monthly newsletter, which are designed to inform and keep our customers abreast of market changes. Click here for more.From premium quality produce to a comprehensive line of processed fruit and vegetables to non-traditional produce items, A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale has it all. Click here for more information regarding the 900 plus active produce items we offer our customers.ABOUT US

About Us:

Over 50 Years Of Customer Satisfaction

Old World Ways...New World ResultsTeamwork = Positive ResultsCornerstones To SuccessThe family name "Lanzarotta" has been associated with premium produce and exceptional service for over 50 years. Gus Lanzarotta began distributing produce from his garage in his home when several restaurant operators were looking for fresh produce. His produce distribution business expanded quickly and within no time, he invested into his first warehouse in Mississauga. Recent changes to our purchasing and sales strategies are sure to produce sustainable results for another 50 years. It's a family business. Come see the difference our family can make.A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale ensures that every employee understands our "Service First" philosophy. "Going the extra mile" and "attention to detail" are not just catch phrases that we use arbitrarily. We recognize that our customers have a choice when it comes to where they purchase their produce. A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale employees know that our decisions and actions must have a positive impact for each customer and we strive to exceed all your service expectations. Working as a team and strong communication guarantees your success and ours.You can't put the roof on a house before you take care of the foundation. Our reputation has been built on:

• Premium Quality Product

• "Service First" Service

• Honesty and Integrity

• Going the extra mile

• Responsibility to the environment

These Cornerstones to Success are the guiding principles behind the responsibilities of every employee at A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale. Our foundation is strong and has stood the test of time.SERVICES

Services:

Providing Maximum Value With All Of Our Services

Commitment to Preserving the EnvironmentState-of-the-art Delivery VehiclesService ExtraordinaireWhen you deliver fresh produce to hospitals, cafeterias, hotels and restaurants, you're on the clock. The quality of our produce, coupled with our on-time delivery record, is why we have grown into one of the largest produce distributors in the Toronto area. The reliability of our trucks is crucial to maintaining that on-time delivery performance. Consistent temperature control is a critical factor in the HACCP program. All of our trucks are refrigerated to sustain product quality from our warehouse to your cooler. Our customers demand the best and we deliver.Many of our customers do not have large refrigerated store rooms. Much of what we deliver is consumed the same day. Sales in the Foodservice Industry can be unpredictable from day to day. A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale strives to meet the unique needs of their customers through customized service. With a variety of methods for ordering, along with delivery options six days a week, we meet the needs of some of the finest restaurants in southern Ontario. Our reputation has been built on service - service that will meet or exceed your expectations.A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale is proud of our proactive policies committed to ecological responsibility. We deal with perishable product. All of the waste produced through our Wholesale and Processing Departments is turned into compost. Our delivery vehicles are maintained under a strict maintenance program to maximize efficiency and fuel consumption. Even our routes are designed to minimize time spent on the roads. We are doing our best to do our part and are proud of our efforts.PRODUCTS

Products:

Providing Our Customers With A Competitive Advantage

Local, North American and

Global Procurement Strategies

Value-Added Processed ProductsNon-Traditional ProductsPre-cut produce has become the product choice of many chefs in the industry. Chefs require consistency with all of their products. Our pre-cut fruits and vegetables provide chefs with product consistency, the ability to reduce costs and provide their patrons with a positive dining experience. Custom cuts and blends can be prepared to our customers unique specifications. Food safety is a benefit with our pre-cut program. All pre-cut products are ready to use and are produced under the strictest HACCP guidelines. Call your A.J. Lanzarotta representative for more details.A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale offers many non traditional items. From canola oil to frozen foods to fresh eggs, let us know what you are looking for. We'll do our best to add it to our ever-growing list of non-traditional produce items.A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale takes great pride in the vendor relationships we have established over the years. We are a well established member of the Toronto Wholesale Produce Association with an impeccable record as a wholesaler at the Ontario Food Terminal. In recent years, we have moved to Direct-from-Source buying for our major core products which supports our traceability and food safety program, reduces cost, and improves product consistency. Our purchasing partnerships give us the competitive edge to source out the best and most exotic products.Fresh eggs

Frozen fries

Canola oil

Dried spices

Liquid shortening

Fruit salad

Fire roasted tomatoes

Fresh juices

Dried fruit and dates

Chopped garlic

Charcoal

MARKET NEWS

Market News and Helpful Industry Links

Page 15AsparagusAsparagus is coming from Mexico and the quality is outstanding. White asparagus is also available. Store asparagus in a cool dry location (34F to 36F). If the tips become slightly wilted, soak the base of the stalks in water to refresh them. A.J. Lanzarotta offers a STANDARD or LARGE size asparagus.To peel or not to peel...AvailabilityGreen Asparagus is available all year with the peak season being spring and early summer. White asparagus is available all year while the wild and sea asparagus varieties are available during May, June and July.Peeling can be a tedious job. If you want to avoid peeling each stalk of asparagus, simply give them a "snap". Asparagus will naturally snap where the toughest part meets the most tender part.Asparagus, Green- 11 lb case- 28 lb caseAsparagus, White- 11 lb caseSeasonal- Wild asparagus- Sea asparagus- Purple asparagusPage 1Broccoli and CauliflowerBroccoli is now being harvested out of Salinas, California and the quality is very good. Markets are down slightly to begin this week. Expect to see broccoli bunches and crowns remain relatively stable over the next few weeks. AJ Lanzarotta Wholesale offers a complete line of processed broccoli.

Cauliflower is now being harvested in Salinas, California. The market is slightly down this week. There is rain in the Salinas area but the poor weather has not affected the quality of the product. The quality is very good.

Availability and HandlingPeak season for US broccoli and cauliflower is January/February (Yuma area) and then again June/July (Salinas area). Both products are available all year from south of the border. Local Ontario broccoli and cauliflower starts as early as July and lasts until October.Store broccoli and cauliflower at 34F to 36F. Keep cauliflower covered to ensure the vegetable stays white. Broccoli florets can be soaked in water to refresh them.Broccoli- Crowns, 20 lb cs - Bunched, 18's Cauliflower- White, size 9's or 12's- Purple or goldenProcessed- All cuts and many different pack sizesPage 2Carrots and Cabbage

Ontario JUMBO size carrots are up slightly this week. The quality is very good. Expect to see the Ontario carrot deal finish early in May. Our grower, CARRON FARMS, will ensure that we have enough product until May, then well have to switch to US carrots.

There is no change to the cabbage markets this week. Expect to see Ontario cabbage start to climb after Easter. Quality is good for this time of year. Try our processed cabbage products which will save you time, money and provide you with a consistent cut product.

Did you know...?Did you know that cooking carrots increases their nutritional value? Uncooked carrots have a tough cellular structure which makes it difficult for our bodies to absorb all of the vitamins and nutrients. Tender cooked carrots enable our bodies to absorb more of the available nutrients.Carrots- Jumbo, 50 lb- Cello,10 lb and 5 lb- Bunched, 24's- Coloured and mini carrotsCabbage- Green, 50 lb- Red, 50 lb- Savoy, 12's- Nappa, 30 lbProcessed- Coleslaw, with or without colour- Many other cuts availablePage 3Celery and Cucumbers

- Celery is still being harvested in Oxnard or Santa Maria. Celery is still a few weeks away before harvesting starts in Salinas. Quality is very good.

- Ontario cucumbers are back in stock!!! We are offering both the large size and the medium / #2 grade English cucumbers from Ontario. The quality is outstanding for early Ontario cucumbers.

Availability and HandlingPeak season for US celery is December/January and then again June /July. Local Ontario celery starts in early July and ends in October.English cucumbers are available all year with a small gap in late December/early January. Field cucumbers are also available all year. Celery- Celery stalks, 24's- Celery root- Celery heartsCucumbers- English, extra large- English, small/#2's- Field cucumbers- Dill cucumbersProcessed- All cuts and many pack sizes available for both productsPage 4Iceberg Lettuce

US growers/shippers are spilt between Salinas and Huron for all lettuce products. Both areas are producing excellent quality early crops but rain is going to create some quality issues for next week. Expect to see markets rise slightly due to the rainy weather.

Our iceberg lettuce is being harvested in Huron, California and the quality is very good. Markets are climbing

Availability and HandlingUS Iceberg lettuce is available all year with May/June/July being the peak season. Remove the core of the lettuce and rinse thoroughly. Spin dry to remove excess moisture. Washed lettuce will last 24 to 48 hours in your cooler before it starts to discolour. Whole head lettuce will last up to 10 days in your cooler. Store at 34F for optimum results.Iceberg Lettuce- Jumbo 30's, USA- Liner 24's, USA- Local 24's, Quebec/Ontario (seasonal)Processed- Chopped iceberg, 4x5 lb case- Separate salad, 4x5 lb case- Shredded lettuce, 4x5 lb case- All processed iceberg is sold by the case or by the bagPage 5Lettuce, RomaineOur DOLE brand romaine lettuce is the best we have seen in a long time. Weights are over 40 lbs per case and there are no defects (tip burn or blister/peel). The quality is outstanding and the price is falling. Transition back to Salinas, California has begun and the quality out of the new growing area is very good. Markets should remain relatively stable over the next few weeks. A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale offers a premium chopped romaine lettuce that provides you with quality, value and consistency. Ask an A.J. Lanzarotta representative for more information.Availability and HandlingUS romaine lettuce is available all year with the peak season being May/June/July. The winter deal from Yuma is also very good but weather can play a factor in the overall quality of the product. Local Ontario or Quebec romaine lettuce starts in mid to late June and ends late September. Store romaine in the coldest part of your cooler and it will last up to 10 days.Romaine Lettuce- Foodservice, 4x6 pack- Liner 24's, Premium, USA- Local 24's, Quebec/Ontario (seasonal)Processed- Chopped romaine, 6x2 lb case- Chopped romaine, 4x3 lb- Romaine hearts, 10 lb case- All processed romaine lettuce is available by the bagPage 6Lettuce, Other

A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale offers a wide variety of lettuces including green and red leaf, boston lettuce (living and field), mesclun (organic and conventional), frisee and traditional baby lettuces such as baby romaine (red and green), mache, wild arugula and red and green oak. A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale also produces a fillet or crown leaf program that is perfect for topping a burger or the starting of a wrap. They are uniform in shape and size and are ready to use right from the bag. Call your A.J. Lanzarotta representative for more infomation.

Availability and HandlingMost of the other lettuce varieties are available all year. There may be limited availabilty for some of the baby lettuce products through the winter months but for the most part you can rely on these specialty lettuces throughout the year. Store all lettuce between 34F and 36F.Other Lettuce- Green leaf, 24's, USA- Red leaf, 24's, USA- Boston lettuce, 12's or 24'sProcessed- Green leaf fillets, 10 lb case- Red leaf fillets, 10 lb case- Mixed baby greens- Frisee, 3 lb- Mesclun Mix, 3 lb- All baby lettucesPage 7Mushrooms

No quality related issues with mushrooms at this time of year. A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale offers a wide range of mushrooms, from the standard white #1 grade button to the most exotic seasonal varieties. We also offer a complete selection of processed mushrooms, from sliced to quartered to diced.

Bluefoot, yellowfoot, black trumpet and hedgehog are available this week as regular stock items. There is limited availability with all products so call for more information.

Seasonal mushrooms- Chanterelle- Morels- PorciniHere is a small selection of what we offer- Portabella- Crimini- Buttons- #1 Whites- Enoki- Oyster- Shiitake- King Eryngii- Honey- Truffles- Maitake- PinePage 8OnionsSpanish onion markets went berserk over the past three week. The FOB market TRIPLED in less than three weeks. Whys that? A couple of reasons but the biggest reason is a potential gap in supply. Texas onions MAY be a little behind this year which is causing processors to buy as much Washington and Oregon crop as they can get their hands on. Expect to see higher than normal onion markets for another 4 to 6 weeks. Quality is excellent.PotatoesPEI potatoes are still going strong, but we may be moving to US grown potatoes sooner than later. The wet summer we had in Ontario and PEI is going to shorten the Canadian season. Potatoes from the Washington area will be the next area that we move to.Storage and HandlingOnions and potatoes both like to be stored at room temperature. Keep processed onions and potatoes in the cooler at 34F to 36F for maximum shelf life.AvailabilityWe have so many different types and pack sizes of fresh onions and potatoes. Discuss your preference with an A.J. Lanzarotta rep. We also offer a full line of processed onions and potatoes.Page 9Peppers and Zucchini- Green peppers are still outrageously priced this week but they are on their way down. Greater supplies of Florida green peppers are becoming avaiable. Red peppers are on the way up and will continue to climb. The good news is we have great supply of Ontario hot house peppers. The price is right for Ontario peppers!!!

- The quality for both the green and yellow zucchini from Mexico is excellent. Both the green and yellow zucchini are down this week.

Availability and HandlingEast coast peppers and Ontario hot house peppers are available most of the year. West coast peppers as well as Mexican peppers start in June but you will see limited supplies in the Toronto market because of the abundance of east coast peppers. Store peppers between 45F and 50F for optimum shelf life.Peppers- Green, 1 1/9 bushel- Red peppers, 25 lb- Hot house, yellow, orange, red 5 kgZucchini- Green zucchini- Yellow zucchini- Zucchini flowers and blossomsProcessed- All cuts and many pack sizes available for both productsPage 10BerriesThe quality of our US strawberries is outstanding. California berries are being harvested out of Oxnard, Coachella and Santa Maria. Salinas/Watsonville berries are still three to four weeks away. Florida berries are finishing up. Blueberries are from South America or Mexico and their season is coming to an end as well. Florida blueberries will be available next week. Cape Gooseberries are also available.Storage and HandlingBerries are very delicate and require tender loving care. Keep them in the cooler between 34F and 36F. Use berries within 48 to 72 hours of purchase. To maximize shelf life, place them in an air-tight container in the cooler. Do not wash fresh berries until you are ready to use them.Page 11Cantaloupe, Honeydew and Watermelons

All cantaloupes are now coming from outside of the USA. Currently, our cantaloupes are from Guatemala and the quality is very good. Smaller fruit is difficult to find (size 15s). The variety of melons grown off-shore produce a larger fruit. US melons will start in May.

Our size 5 and size 8 honeydews are coming from Guatemala. The fruit is very large in size and very sweet. Quality is excellent but the cost is up slightly this week for the smaller size 8 melons. US melons will start in southern California by the middle of May. Expect good early crop from California.

Watermelons are from Mexico this time of year and the quality is outstanding. We are offering a 5 count seedless watermelon, which is averaging 14 to 16 lbs.

Availability and HandlingCantaloupe and honeydew come from Mexico Mar/Apr/May and then move into USA grown fruit until the end of September. The offshore deal follows until Mexico starts again. Watermelons are available all year with the peak season running May through October. Optimum storage conditions for each product; Cantaloupe, 36F/38F. Honeydew, 42F/45F. Watermelon can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.Honeydew- Honeydew, 5's- Honeydew, 8/9's- All cuts and pack sizes are available processedCantaloupe- Cantaloupe, 9's- Cantaloupe, 15's- All cuts and pack sizes are available processedWatermelon- Seedless- All cuts and pack sizes are available processedPage 12Lemons, Limes and OrangesCalifornia lemons are now available. Quality is very good and A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale offers a smaller size 140 lemon as well as a larger size 75 lemon.Limes are from Mexico or South America at this time of year and the quality is very good. A.J. Lanzarotta offers two sizes of limes, a 250 count box and a 54/63 count box. Expect to see the lime market remain strong until the first week of May. StorageAll citrus products like to be stored at a moderate temperature. To maximize shelf life, store citrus above 45F. To increase juice content, leave citrus out of the cooler for 12 hours before use.California navel oranges are in the heart of their growing season. We offer size 72, 88 and 113 seedless navel oranges. Clementine oranges and juice oranges are also available.Oranges- Oranges, 72's- Oranges, 88's- Oranges, 113'sLemons- Lemons, 140's- Lemons, 75's- Meyer lemonsLimes- Limes, 230's- Limes, 250's- Key limesPage 13Pineapples and Pears

A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale offers jumbo size 5's and large size 7's of golden pineapples, by the case or by the each. A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale offers a variety of cut sizes and pack sizes of pre-cut fresh pineapple for your convenience.

We currently offer packham, bosc, Asian, forelle and red bartlett pears in a wide selection of sizes.

Storage and HandlingPineapples do not like the cold weather so keep them out of the cooler. Store them at room temperature until ready to use. Cut pineapple can be stored in the cooler for two to three days.Pears on the other hand require a warmer environment to ripen. Once ripe, be sure to keep them in the cooler to extend the shelf life.Pears- Bartlett, red and green- Bosc- Asian- ForellePineapple- Jumbo 5's and large 7's are available- Cored pineapple is also availableProcessed- Most cut sizes and pack sizes are available for both productsPage 14Tomatoes

Easter is now over and Florida all of a sudden has a lot more tomatoes available. Unfortunately, the quality is poor. It will be another couple of weeks before we see good Florida tomatoes. For now, its Mexican product that we will offer. Roma tomatoes, 6x7, 6x6, 5x6, cherry and grapes are from Mexico. From ONTARIO, you will now find hot house tomatoes, heirloom and tomatoes on the vine, both red and yellow.

Storage and HandlingIf they are stored below 50F, the gel sac inside tomatoes will rupture and cause them to lose their integrity. The only time you put tomatoes in the cooler is a) if they have been cut and incorporated into an uncooked dish like salsa b) if they have been cooked or c) if they are full ripe and you want to prevent them from ripening further.- Cluster, yellow- Cluster, orange- Grape- Roma- Strawberry- SundriedTomatoes- 5x6, 6x6, 6x7 US - Tomatillo- Compari - Kumato- Rainbow cherry- Red & yellow cherry- Ontario beefsteak- Cherry romas- Green tomatoes- Heirloom- Hot house- Cluster, redPage 16CPMA - Canadian Produce Marketing AssociationPMA - Produce Marketing AssociationLFP - Local Food PlusCalifornia TomatoesFlorida TomatoesCalifornia Strawberry CommissionOntario Greenhouse Vegetable GrowersFoodland OntarioTexas Produce AssociationFlorida Fruit and Vegetable AssociationThe Packer - Produce Industry NewsUSDACFIACalifornia Leafy Green Handler Marketing AssociationGeorgia Fruit & Vegetable GrowersCalifornia Grower-Shipper AssociationUnited Fresh Produce AssociationImperial Valley Vegetable GrowersPEI PotatoesOntario Fruit & Vegetable GrowersPage 15Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12Page 13Page 14Page 16Italian Caesar SaladFor the Croutons:2 large garlic clovesPinch of salt3 tablespoons virgin olive oil2 cups French baguette slices cut up into 1/2 inch cubes (white bread works too)For the Salad:1 large egg1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice1 medium garlic clove, crushed1 pinch salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper1 1/2 teaspoons anchovy paste or 4 flat anchovies1 teaspoon capers1 teaspoon Dijon mustard1/3 cup virgin olive oil2 medium heads of romaine lettuce -- outer leaves removed1/3 cup Parmesan cheese -- grated

This week's feature products

Premium Romaine Lettuce

$23.50 / case

Week of March 22PreperationCroutons - Combine garlic, oil, salt, and bread cubes in a bowl. Mix until cubes are coated evenly. Spread the coated cubes onto a baking sheet and bake until the croutons are golden. This should take about 10 minutes.To make the salad - Bring a pot of boiling water to boil, add egg and cook for just 45 seconds....NO MORE. This is coddling the egg. Remove from heat and let it cool off.Meanwhile, mix the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, salt & pepper, anchovy, mustard and capers in a bowl. Crack egg and add to these ingredients. Whisk until smooth.Now for the tricky part. Slowly add the oil in a steady stream while constantly whisking again until smooth. Reason: if you add the oil too quickly, the dressing will separate and will not emulsify.To serve:Tear the romaine lettuce into 1-2 inch pieces and add them to a large bowl (wooden if you have one). Add half the dressing, toss, add remaining dressing, Parmesan cheese, and croutons and toss again. Serve on chilled plates.CONTACT USContact Us Phone: (905) 891-0510Toll Free: (800) 361-4519Fax: (905) 891-5527 Our Address1000 Lakeshore Road EastMississauga, OntarioL5E 1E4© 2010 A.J. Lanzarotta Wholesale Fruit and Vegetables Ltd.