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Notes from the Green Grocer --
October 25, 2005
"A winter squash, the pumpkin is a hard-shelled
gourd that is related to watermelons and muskmelons.
Low in calories, pumpkins are rich in fiber, potassium,
riboflavin, and vitamins C and E. Mild and sweet in
flavor, pumpkins offer plenty of nutritional value,
and are particularly rich in carotenoid pigments such
as alpha-carotene, beta carotene, and lutein. Outstanding
amounts of beta carotene are found in pumpkin, with
1 cup of pumpkin providing 7.8 milligrams of this
healthful pigment. Carotenoids are thought to protect
against chronic diseases such as heart disease and
cancer, and may also ward off age-related vision loss.
Pumpkins also supply nutritious seeds and oil."
More on pumpkins from Whole Earth Foods. . .
LETTUCE MARKET:
Iceberg Lettuce: Shippers
are breaking new fields in Huron; Salinas has
no iceberg; prices are cheap; case weights will
be a little light. Romaine: Still
shipping out of Salinas; quality is good; prices
are flat. Green Leaf, Boston,
and Red Leaf: No change here,
pricing remains flat. Romaine Hearts:
Still out of Salinas; no changes to report.
Spinach: Prices are low: quality
is improving…
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BERRY NEWS: Strawberries: Rain
and cool weather is taking a toll on local berries;
most have white shoulders and showing some rain
damage; prices are firm. Long Stem Strawberries:
Expect wet berries; prices are strong. Blueberries:
Oregon supplies are dwindling; prices are up.
Blackberries: Guatemala is
the only game in town; supplies are short and
prices are high. Raspberries:
Rain damage here too…
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TOMATO UPDATE:
Roma Tomatoes:
Cheaper California fruit is done; Baja is moving
prices up. Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and
Loose Tomatoes: The market is heading
up on larger sizes; better deals available on 5
x 6 and 6 x 6 sizes. Cherry Tomatoes:
Extremely short; good fruit is at a premium; prices
are up. Yellow Tomatoes: Supplies
are short. Grape Tomatoes and Teardrops:
Prices remain high on grapes and unchanged on teardrops.
Heirloom Tomatoes: Still plenty
of product available; prices remain stable... |
 FRESH
FRUITS: California Haas
Avocados: Prices are up moderately; this
will be the last week of California fruit; growers
will finish up and we will be having Chilean fruit
exclusively by the middle of next week; quality
on both areas is surprisingly good. Bananas:
No change; supplies are very good. Cantaloupe
and Honeydew: Dews remain excellent
and cantaloupe quality is improving. Mixed melons
are about done, only Casaba, Santa
Claus, and a few Tuscan Melons.
Watermelon: California is winding
down and prices are up. Green and
Red Grapes: Quality is excellent; prices
are up. Lemons: Supplies are long;
prices are unchanged on all sizes. Limes:
Fruit is drying out and prices are beginning
to fall. Juicing Oranges: California
Valencia’s are in good supply; prices are
good. Grapefruit: Texas Rio stars
in full swing with the full range of sizes; quality
is excellent and prices are  beginning
to recede. Hawaiian Papayas: Quality
is really good and prices are steady. Pineapples:
Supplies are still light; no surface 2 layer fruit
is available; there is only 2 layer Maui
and single layer jet fresh fruit available at this
time. Plums: Black Angeleno plums
and a few pluots are available; supplies are light.
Nectarines: Very little fruit available:
season is almost done. Peaches: Finished
for the season, Chilean and Mexican fruit still
a about a month away. There are good supplies of
Apples, Cranberries, Figs, Kiwi’s,
Gold Kiwi’s, Mangoes, Pomegranates,
and Pears . . . |
 FRESH
VEGETABLES:
Artichokes:
Quality is good and
prices are unchanged. Asparagus:
Slow demand and good supplies of Chilean and Mexican
grass is keeping the lid on prices. Bok
Choy and Napa Cabbage:
Prices have leveled off. Blue Lake Beans:
Quality is good; good local and Mexican
supplies; prices are low. Broccoli:
Good supplies in Santa Maria and Salinas; bunched
and crowns are both cheap. Cauliflower:
The market has fallen off; prices are down. Cabbage:
Supplies of California green are improving; prices
are heading back down. Celery:
Supplies are good; prices are flat. Cucumbers:
Prices are turned around and are very strong; supply
is light. Eggplant: Quality is
good; prices are still cheap. Red Onions:
Prices are still low. Yellow Onions:
Supplies are better; Idaho and Oregon are shipping;
quality is improved. White Onions:
Prices are the same. Curly Parsley
and Italian Parsley: Supplies are
good and prices are unchanged.
 Green
Bell Peppers: Prices are up as we transition
from California to Mexico; Red
and Gold Bell Peppers: Same story;
new crop Mexican fruit is demanding higher prices.
Squash: Gold Zucchini:
Quality is good; prices are up.
Green Zucchini: Cool weather is retarding
growth; supplies are short and prices are up. French
Haricot Vert Beans: Prices are still high
but are starting to fall off. Yellow Wax
Beans: Supplies are good; prices are low.
Baby Squashes: All varieties are
a little short and prices are firm. There are good
supplies of Chard, Kale, Carrots, China
Peas, Hard Squashes, Pumpkins, and
Snap Peas...
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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.
Archives
October 18, 2005
October 11, 2005
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