Throughout the pandemic, supply chain issues have crippled the hospitality industry regarding many products. Now, outrageously priced lettuce seems to have become the new normal. Heat stress caused by extreme temperatures in California is making life hard for crops like lettuce, and that is forcing local restaurants to make some big decisions.
Some restaurateurs have even pulled all salads off their menus. Others restaurateurs are monitoring the situation before making any big decisions. Matt Moutsatsos at The Kouzzina said salads will remain on the menu for now. Those salads are usually chalk with other ingredients like roasted beets, tomatoes, cucumbers, pecans, and goat cheese.
Local grocery retailer Smith’s, had romaine hearts listed this past weekend for $12.99.
Erin Rowe is part owner of Truly Northern Farms, with growing operations based in Blezard Valley and Opasatika, between Hearst and Kapuskasing. They’re supplying greens all over the North through Your Independent Grocer stores and restaurants to marketgoers and farm visitors 12 months a year.
“In the short term, we don’t have enough lettuce to supply every consumer and retailer, but if all restaurants considered local farms first, we would not be facing a lettuce shortage in the first place,” she said.
Source: northernontariobusiness.com