Notes from the Green Grocer -- Jan. 30, 2007

English/Spanish

Did You Know? We now have a buyer on the market at the Santa Monica farmers market every Wednesday; for availability of unusual and organic produce available through this outlet please contact your sales representative…

LETTUCE MARKET: Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf: Romaine hearts continue to have problems; prices remain high; everything else is off in price due to slow demand but should go back up in price as supplies dwindle; expect lighter weights as shippers strip outer leaves to remove frost damage. Spinach: Shippers are short on cello and bunched spinach is still being quoted at higher than normal prices. Mesculin: Supplies of radicchio and frisee are very short; suppliers are adjusting their mix to decrease or omit these two additives …



BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: Weather has improved so quality is much better; prices are off. Blackberries and Blueberries: Rain in Mexico is affecting quality; supplies have definitely tightened up and prices are rising. Raspberries: Supplies are better but prices are still strong…


TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Supplies and prices have leveled off; prices are as low as they are going to get for this time of year. Cluster Tomatoes: Prices are still high due to cold weather. Cherry Tomatoes: Prices are unchanged. Grape Tomatoes: Product is short and prices are. Roma Tomatoes: Cool overnight temperatures in Mexico is pushing prices slightly higher…

FRESH FRUITS: California Haas Avocados: Growers are finishing up the frost damaged fruit; large sizes are at a premium. Cantaloupes: Prices are up due to cold weather; supplies are light. Honeydews: Supplies are better and quality is very good; prices remain high. Green and Red Grapes: Chilean fruit is at its peak; prices are leveling off. Kiwi’s: California fruit is plentiful. Grapefruit: We are still using Texas Rio stars; quality is excellent. Lemons: The market is up again and due to freeze. Limes: Prices remain firm as weather in Mexico remains cold. Oranges: Texas Val’s are in up in price; Navels are up; growers are still assessing the damage from the freeze. Tangerines: Stem & leaf satsuma variety are finishing up; we have Clementine and Minneola tangelos available. Mangoes: Quality is very good we are back to Mexican mangoes. Stone Fruit: Chilean plums, nectarines and peaches are very mediocre; Bing Cherries and Apricots are still nice. Watermelons: Quality is the real problem; cold weather is making for pale fruit and significantly higher prices. There are good supplies of Apples, Pears, and Pomegranates….

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: All chokes are showing heavy frost damage; prices are unreasonably high and smaller sizes are unavailable. Asparagus: Cold is keeping prices high in spite of slow demand. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Supply is very light due to the cold; prices are up. Blue Lake Beans: Orange County beans are now shipping; supply is much better and prices are coming down. Broccoli and Cauliflower: Supplies remain extremely light; prices are strong and will continue to rise. Cabbage: Green cabbage has leveled off. Carrots: Supplies are short; sizing will be a problem as the cold keeps jumbos from getting as big as we would like to see; prices are up. Celery: Prices continue to remain strong. Cucumbers: Supply is much better; prices are down. No local hothouse cucumbers are available, only Mexican cucumbers. Eggplant: Frost is still a problem; prices are up on all varieties including Japanese, Chinese, and Italian. Red Onions: Quality is excellent; prices are unchanged. Yellow Onions: The market is firm. Kale, Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are good except for kale; kale prices are up. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Green and gold bells are in light supply as rain in Mexico continues to fall, prices on red bells have eased up some. Zucchini: Squash is not growing due to the cold ground temperatures; prices remain firm. Yellow Squash: Gold Zucchini is having mildew problems related to the cold weather; crookneck and straightneck are better alternatives. Baby Squashes and Specialty Beans: Prices are up and quality is mediocre due to the freeze. There are good supplies of Beets and Brussels Sprout.

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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