Notes from the Green Grocer -- Oct. 3, 2006

English/Spanish

LETTUCE MARKET:  Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg: All the leaf is a little short with red and Boston being particularly scarce; iceberg is plentiful and cheap. Spinach: The FDA has approved the sale of all fresh spinach including spinach grown in the Salinas Valley; we now have fresh bunched, cello, and stemless available with baby spinach soon to follow…



BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: Northern California is experiencing rain activity so prices will be moving up and we can expect wet berries. Blackberries and Blueberries: Light supply is keeping prices high. Raspberries: Quality is fair at best; prices are strong…


TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Supply is a little better; prices are off only slightly on big stuff and a little more on smaller fruit. Cluster Tomatoes: Supplies are light; prices are up. Cherry Tomatoes: Supplies are short; prices are up. Grape Tomatoes: Prices are strong. Roma Tomatoes: No relief is in sight; prices remain high and availability limited. Heirloom Tomatoes: Quality is beginning to deteriorate; prices are up.

FRESH FRUITS: Apples: Prices are down on new crop California and Washington fruit; good supplies of Fuji, Jonagold, Jonathan, and Honeycrisp are available. California Haas Avocados: California fruit remains in good supply; prices are steady. Cantaloupes and Honeydews: Desert fruit is slated to start this week; so far prices remain low. Green and Red Grapes: Not much change; Thompson’s are amber colored and very sweet; prices are firm. Oranges: Quality of choice fruit is not very good and Sunkist is not much better; prices are high. Grapefruit: California season is finishing; prices are up; Texas reds are a couple of weeks out. Lemons: Supplies are very short; prices are high. Limes: Prices are low. Mangoes: Brazilian Tommy Atkins variety mangoes are available; color is bright red and prices are coming down. Nectarines, Plums and Peaches: The season is coming to a close; no Chilean fruit is available yet but so far the quality of the California fruit is okay. There are good supplies of Apples, Kiwi’s, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Supplies are improving except on 12 count; prices remain firm. Asparagus: Prices are moving up as supply tightens up; quality is excellent. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: No changes to report. Blue Lake Beans: Prices are lower this week. Broccoli: Supply is very long; prices are off. Cauliflower: Prices are still cheap. Cabbage: Supply is light, especially on green; prices are up. Carrots: Carrot supplies are better but prices remain firm. Celery: Pricing remains unseasonably high. Cucumbers: Supply is getting better; prices are down; quality is excellent. Eggplant: Quality is improving; prices are down. Green Onions: Supplies have loosened up and prices are beginning to recede. Red Onions: Quality is excellent; prices are unchanged. Yellow Onions: Colossal onions are still short and prices are high; best buy will be medium size. White Onions: No changes to report. Potatoes: New crop is here; prices are down and quality is excellent. Kale, Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are good; prices are unchanged. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Green bells remain low priced with red and yellow only slightly higher. Green Zucchini: Prices are firming up but so far remain fairly low. Gold Zucchini: Quality is good; prices are up. Hard Squash: Winter varieties of hard squash are now available including gold acorn, white acorn and gold nugget to name a few. Baby Squashes: Supply is a little better but prices are high. French and Yellow Wax Beans: Supplies are still long; prices are super low. There are good supplies of Chard, Leeks, and English 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.


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