If 48 lbs of cooked broccoli are needed and fresh broccoli yields 79% after trimming and cooking, how much fresh broccoli should be purchased?

• A. 58 lbs
• B. 69 lbs
• C. 61 lbs
• D. 77 lbs

Answer: (C)

Translating cooked yield back to fresh quantity is done by dividing the desired cooked amount by the yield percentage. If you need 48 lb of cooked broccoli and the yield from fresh broccoli after trimming and cooking is 79%, then 48 lb = fresh × 0.79. So fresh = 48 ÷ 0.79 ≈ 60.8 lb. Since you buy whole pounds, round up to 61 lb to ensure you have enough. In short, purchase about 61 pounds of fresh broccoli.