Notes from the Green Grocer -- March 14, 2006

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LETTUCE MARKET:  Spinach, Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg: Cold weather coupled with end of desert season may cause prices to spike; look for an upward trend this week…


BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: Rain, hail, and cold temperatures are causing lots of problems; look for wet berries with white shoulders at higher prices. Raspberries: Supplies out of Mexico are short due to cold snap; prices are firm. Blueberries: Local and South American berries are plentiful; prices remain low. Blackberries: Supplies from Guatemala are good; prices are still low…


TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Prices are up; volume is down due to cold weather. Cherry Tomatoes: Prices are unchanged. Roma Tomatoes: Supplies remain unchanged; prices should remain about at the same levels. Cluster Tomatoes: Supplies are very light; prices are up. Grape Tomatoes: Good supplies; prices are okay. Teardrops: Supplies are still short; prices remain high. Heirloom Tomatoes: Supplies are beginning to gap; prices are definitely on the upswing for anything that is leftover…

FRESH FRUITS: Apricots: The season is finished; local apricots will start in the spring. California Haas Avocados: Prices are steady; quality is good. Cantaloupes: Supply is better; prices are off a little. Honeydews: Supply of large fruit remains short; prices remain high. Watermelon: No change; so-so quality, firm prices. Green and Red Grapes: Chilean flames and Thompson seedless remain in good supply; quality is excellent. Oranges: Texas Valencia’s are still available; Navels are winding down; we are transitioning to California Valencia’s. Grapefruit: Texas Rio stars are still very good. Limes: Mexican limes remain short due to rain; prices are high especially on large fruit. Hawaiian Papayas: Supplies are short; rain in Hawaii has damaged much of the crop. Nectarines and Peaches: Chilean stone fruit quality is good and prices are unchanged; white flesh peaches and nectarines are also available; quality is excellent. Pomegranates: The season is over; no more will be available until September. Plums: Red, black, sweet prune, and green gage plums are all available. There are good supplies of Apples, Kiwi’s, Mangoes, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Castroville chokes took another beating; hail and even snow will cause more frost damage and will curtail harvest this week. Asparagus: Cool temperatures and supermarket ads are fueling higher prices. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Supplies are short; prices are moving up. Blue Lake Beans: Cold temperatures and rain is causing short supplies; prices are up. Broccoli: Shippers are going out of 4 districts; supplies are long; prices are low. Cauliflower: Prices are off but are still a little high. Cabbage: Green is up this week because of Saint Patrick’s Day; red is unchanged. Celery: Prices are edging up. Cucumbers: Supplies are short; prices are up. Eggplant: Cold weather is the problem; prices are up. Red Onions: No change in prices. Yellow Onions: No changes to report. White Onions: Prices are unchanged. Kale, Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are good; prices are unchanged. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Supplies of all bell peppers are very short; prices are up and will continue to rise. Gold Zucchini: Small numbers are available but not enough to meet demand; prices are high. Yellow Straightneck: Prices are up due to cold snap in Mexican fields. Green Zucchini: Prices are up also as a direct result of weather related problems. French Haricot Vert and Yellow Wax Beans: In spite of light supplies slow demand is causing prices to fall. Baby Squashes: Still short but green zucchini is your best value. There are good supplies of Chard, Carrots, China Peas, Hard Squashes, Sweet Potatoes and Yams...

As with all fresh fruits and vegetables, the market could change daily . . .

Further description of all the fruits and vegetables mentioned above can be found at Whole Health Foods and Wegman's Online Produce Encylopedia.


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