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Notes from the Green Grocer --
Nov. 1, 2005
 "These
plump, sweet, rubylike berries are nutritional jewels:
Rich in dietary fiber and offering good amounts of
vitamin C (more than any other berry) and manganese,
strawberries are also an excellent source of ellagic
acid, a phytochemical that helps combat carcinogens.
They are also a good source of antioxidant flavonoids,
such as anthocynanins. When the USDA analyzed a variety
of fruits to rate their antioxidant power, strawberries
came in second (blueberries were first)."
More on strawberries from Whole Earth Foods. . .
LETTUCE MARKET:
Iceberg Lettuce: Case
weight out of Huron is improving; prices are flat.
Romaine: Shipping out of Salinas;
quality is good; prices are low. Green
Leaf, Boston, and Red
Leaf: No change here, pricing
remains affordable. Romaine Hearts:
Salina’s romaine heart quality is very good; no
price changes to report. Spinach:
Prices are low: quality is improving… |
BERRY NEWS: Strawberries: Quality
is still a struggle with all the cool weather;
prices are unchanged. Long Stem Strawberries:
Quality is improving but pricing remains firm.
Blueberries: Oregon supplies
are holding up; prices are strong. Blackberries:
Guatemala blackberries are coming into better
supply; prices are still very strong. Raspberries:
Quality improving; prices unchanged…
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 TOMATO
UPDATE:
Roma Tomatoes:
The market has leveled off; quality remains excellent.
Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and
Loose Tomatoes: The market is heading up
again on larger sizes; prices on 5 x 6 and 6 x 6
sizes have fallen off slightly. Cherry Tomatoes:
Supply improving; prices are down. Yellow
Tomatoes: Supplies are better. Grape
Tomatoes and Teardrops:
Prices have leveled off on specialty tomatoes. Heirloom
Tomatoes: The season is winding down, get
them while you can; so far prices are remaining
stable... |
 FRESH
FRUITS: California Haas
Avocados: We are in our last shipment of
California fruit; we will be switching over to Chilean
by the end of the week. Bananas:
No change; supplies are very good. Cantaloupe
and Honeydew: Large size cantaloupes
are a little pricy but small fruit is much cheaper;
quality is improving as the winter season progresses;
honeydews remain excellent. Mixed
Melons: This weeks offering include
Casaba, Santa
Claus, and Tuscan
Melons. Watermelon:
Mexican fruit is getting stronger: prices are up.
Green and Red
Grapes: California quality is still
good; prices are firm. Lemons:
Supplies are long; prices are unchanged on all sizes.
Limes: No change; prices are cheap.
 Juicing
Oranges: California Valencia’s
are in good supply; prices are good; local navels
are a few weeks away. Grapefruit:
Texas Rio stars in full swing with the full range
of sizes; quality is excellent and prices continue
to recede. Hawaiian Papayas:
Quality is really good and prices are steady. Pineapples:
Supplies are still light; still no surface 2 layer
fruit 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: Finished for the season;
anything left in the market is cutting black. Peaches:
Finished for the season too, Chilean and Mexican
fruit still a few weeks 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:
Chilean growers are having quality issues; prices
are up as Mexican growers are coming up short in
supply. Bok Choy and Napa
Cabbage: Prices are the same as last weeks
quotes. Blue Lake Beans: Quality
is good; good local and Mexican supplies; prices
are low. Broccoli: Good supplies
in Mendota and Salinas; bunched and crowns are both
cheap. Cauliflower: The market
has fallen off; prices are down. Cabbage:
Supplies of California green are down; red cabbage
prices remain strong. Celery: Supplies
are still good; prices are inching upwards. Cucumbers:
Prices are still very strong; supplies are light.
Eggplant: Quality is good; prices
are still cheap. Red Onions:
Prices are still low. Yellow Onions:
Supplies are good; 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 again and this trend will continue
through the week. 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:
Supplies are a little surplus; prices are falling
off. French Haricot Vert Beans:
Prices are down from last weeks quotes. Yellow
Wax Beans: Supplies are good; prices are
low. Baby Squashes: All varieties
are down in price as supplies improve. There are
good supplies of Chard, Kale, Carrots, China
Peas, Hard Squashes, Pumpkins, and Snow
Peas... |
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 25, 2005
October 18, 2005
October 11, 2005
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