Notes from the Green Grocer -- May 2, 2006

English/Spanish


LETTUCE MARKET:  Spinach, Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg: Because of the heavy winter storms growers were unable to plant their crops on schedule; this is the root cause of last seeks price hikes; we expect prices to remain high for a month or two. Romaine Hearts: Price of this commodity does not usually change but the cost of raw product is causing prices to rise…



BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: Fields are warming up causing a spike in supply; demand is slow; prices are low. Raspberries: Supply is very tight; prices remain firm; quality is fair to good. Blueberries: Prices remain high; no Driscoll label available at this time. Blackberries: Supply is good; there is a wide range in quality; prices are low…


TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Prices are unchanged; supply has finally caught up with demand. Cherry Tomatoes: Supplies of the good hothouse varieties are good and prices are low. Grape Tomatoes: Prices remain low. Roma Tomatoes: Nogales and Baja are both short of fruit; most of what available is green; prices are high and heading higher. Teardrops: Prices are up and supplies are short. Heirloom Tomatoes: Baja has finally finished; local crops are about a month away…

FRESH FRUITS: California Haas Avocados: Prices are low; quality is good. Cantaloupes: Prices are down; quality of both offshore and Mexican fruit is very good. Honeydews: Prices are heading up; the search for better quality is the cause. Mixed Melons: Only Canary and Orange Honeydews are available. Green and Red Grapes: Chilean flames and Thompson seedless are in good supply; quality is excellent; Mexican perlettes have started, very tart and very expensive. Oranges: California Valencia’s are in full swing: quality is good. Grapefruit: Rio reds are very nice; prices are low. Lemons: Supplies are still light; prices are rising daily. Limes: Prices have leveled off; large fruit remains short and are commanding premium prices. Hawaiian Papayas: Supplies are still short; prices are up again. Cherries, Nectarines and Peaches: California fruit is just around the corner; expect poorer than average quality due to all the winter rains. Plums: Chilean fruit is finishing up; mostly black with a few red plums mixed in here and there. Persimmons: Chilean Fuyu and Hachiya are now available. There are good supplies of Apples, Kiwi’s, Mangoes, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Supplies are better; they are finally beginning to recover from all the frost damage; prices remain high. Asparagus: California grass is very nice; prices are coming down slowly. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: No change in Napa but Bok Choy is short and prices are rising. Blue Lake Beans: Coachella has the best quality; supplies are improving and prices are falling. Broccoli: No strength at all to this market; prices are cheap. Cauliflower: Quality is good; prices are low. Cabbage: No change in red, green is up slightly. Celery: Prices are low. Cucumbers: The market is lower again this week. Eggplant: Supplies are short; prices are heading back up. Red Onions: Market remains steady. Yellow Onions: New crop Mexican brown onions don’t look very good because of their tender and light skin, however they are very sweet and are perfect for slicing. White Onions: Prices are low. Kale, Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Italian parsley remains very short; prices are strong. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Supplies out of Mexico are better; prices are low. Green Zucchini: Squash supplies are long; prices remain in the cellar. Gold Zucchini: Supply is short; quality is fair; prices remain high. Yellow Straightneck: Local growers have yet to start; Nogales squash remains high in price. Hard Squash: Acorn, butternut, and Kabocha are short; prices are up. Baby Squashes: Prices are falling; supplies are long. French Beans: Better supplies translate into lower prices. There are good supplies of Chard, Carrots, 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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