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Notes from the Green
Grocer -- March 28, 2006
¡Ahora, en español!
English/Spanish
LETTUCE MARKET:
Spinach, Boston, Romaine,
Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg:
Rain and cold weather is causing transition
from the desert to happen much slower than anticipated;
multiple loading points and muddy fields has
these markets in turmoil. Romaine Hearts:
Normally this doesn’t fluctuate
but with all the bad weather we expect increases
by the middle of the week; shippers don’t
have product to go around…
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BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and
Long Stem Strawberries: The market
was off this week but weather may cause higher
prices if we get any significant rainfall. Raspberries:
Mexican berry quality still very good, prices
are stable. Blueberries: Rain
and cold weather is affecting supply; prices
are increasing radically. Blackberries:
Supplies from Guatemala continue to be adequate;
prices are still low…
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TOMATO
UPDATE: Two Layer Repack
 Tomatoes
and Loose Tomatoes: Florida
and selected vine ripened fruit from Mexico are
very good; prices remain about the same. Cherry
Tomatoes: No change in prices. Roma
Tomatoes: Supplies remain good; prices
are much stronger. Grape Tomatoes:
Good supplies; prices are okay. Teardrops:
Supplies and ripe fruit are still short; prices
remain high. Heirloom Tomatoes:
New crop Baja tomatoes are available; fruit is very
small; prices remain high… |
 FRESH
FRUITS: California Haas
Avocados: Prices are coming down; quality
is good. Cantaloupes: Large sizes
are at a premium; prices are firm. Honeydews:
Supply is improved; best deals are still on 8 counts.
Mixed Melons:
There are a few canary, Tuscan sweet, and orange
honeydews available this week. Green
and Red Grapes:
Chilean flames and Thompson seedless remain in good
supply; quality is excellent. Oranges:
Texas Valencia’s and California Navels are
almost finished; California Valencia’s need
another week to sweeten up. Grapefruit:
Texas Rio st ars
are in light supply; California Rio reds are here
and are much cheaper. Limes: Mexican
limes came down this week but could go back up if
rain persists in Mexico. Hawaiian Papayas:
Supplies are still short; prices are unchanged.
Nectarines and Peaches:
Chilean stone fruit quality is beginning to deteriorate;
white flesh peaches are still available and are
still very sweet. Plums: Mostly
red with few black available. There are good supplies
of Apples, Kiwi’s, Mangoes,
and Pears . . . |
|  FRESH
VEGETABLES: Artichokes:
Castroville chokes are showing some frost damage
but overall they are better than expected; supplies
are light. Asparagus: Slow demand
pushed prices down but cool temperatures have
growers with orders exceeding supply; prices are
edging back up. Bok Choy
and Napa Cabbage:
Supplies are short; prices are high. Blue
Lake Beans: Cold temperatures and rain
could push prices back up but so far so good.
Broccoli and Cauliflower:
Salinas, Huron, Mendota, and the desert districts
are still pumping out lots of product; prices
are good. Cabbage: Green remains
steady; red finally came back down to reasonable
levels. Celery: Prices are down.
Cucumbers: Supplies are short;
prices are strong. Eggplant:
Cold weather is the problem; prices are high.
Red Onions:
Market remains steady. Yellow
Onions: Nice Idaho brown onions
are available; prices are moving up slightly.
White Onions:
Prices are down. Kale, Curly Parsley
and Italian Parsley: Supplies
are good except for Italian; prices on Italian
are heading back up. Green, Red,
and Gold Bell Peppers: Supplies
of all bell peppers have improved; prices are
lower. Gold Zucchini:
Small numbers are available but not enough to
meet demand; prices are high. Yellow Straightneck:
Prices are better this week as more squash becomes
available. Green Zucchini: Prices
are leveling off; quality is good. Red
and White Rose Potatoes:
Washington reds are very scarce; Florida is very
nice but prices are up due to increased freight
and light supplies. There are good supplies of
Chard, Carrots, Hard Squashes, Sweet Potatoes
and Yams...
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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.
Archive
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March
14, 2006
March 7, 2006
February 21, 2006
February 14, 2006
February 7, 2006
|
January
31, 2006
January 24, 2006
January 17, 2006
January 10, 2006
January 4, 2006
December 28, 2005
December 20, 2005
December 13, 2005
December 6, 2005
November 26, 2005
November 22, 2005
November 15, 2005
November 10, 2005
November 1, 2005
October 25, 2005
October 18, 2005
October 11, 2005 |
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