Notes from the Green Grocer -- Dec. 6, 2005

"These fragile peach-like fruits, with their perfumed aroma and ultra-sweet flavor, contain impressive amounts of beta-carotene. They are also a fair source of potassium, and supply a good amount of fiber. Fresh apricots are fragile and do not ship well so. But dried apricots, concentrated sources of the same nutrients, are widely available. Apricots, both fresh and dried, contain natural salicylate (an aspirinlike compound), which may cause an allergic response in sensitive people. There are approximately a dozen varieties of apricots: All are similar in taste, but differ somewhat in size and color (which ranges from yellow to deep orange). Blenheim, Tilton, Patterson, and Castlebrite are among the better-known varieties."

More on Apricots from Whole Earth Foods. . .

LETTUCE MARKET:  Iceberg Lettuce: Excellent weights now coming put of the desert; too much product and too little demand is keeping prices down. Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, and Redleaf: Quality is improving; prices remain low. Romaine Hearts: Our primary supplier has some supply issues out of the desert but so far has plenty of Northern hearts available; prices are unaffected…

TOMATO UPDATE:  Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: California is finished and there is a huge gap in supply; prices are significantly higher on all sizes and this trend will continue throughout the month; quality is poor and color is light. Cherry Tomatoes: Supply is also short; prices have almost doubled. Roma Tomatoes: The market is up too but supplies are better and it is not increasing as rapidly. Yellow Tomatoes: Supplies are still short; prices remain high. Grape Tomatoes and Teardrops: Same story here, supplies are short and prices are high. Heirloom Tomatoes: Organic fruit is still available; prices are high but quality is still very good...

FRESH FRUITS: Apricots: New Zealand and Chili both are shipping; quality is good. Haas Avocados: California fruit is available and we began shipping Monday; Chilean is available but the price in not that much more than California; no large California fruit is available yet so we will be using Chilean 36 count until the local fruit sizes up. Cherries: Good supplies of Chilean bings are available; prices are affordable. Figs: Light supplies; prices are high; only brown Turkish figs are available, no blacks. Cantaloupes: Supplies are short; quality is poor; prices are rising. Honeydews: Supplies are good; prices are low. Watermelon: Supply is still the problem: prices continue to rise. Green and Red Grapes: California quality is still good on red; South American perlettes (green seedless) are available and we will be making the transition this week. Oranges: Texas Valencia’s are in; color is light but they are excellent for juice; navels are available and we will be changing over to these for our Sunkist customers this week. Grapefruit: We have plenty of Texas Rio stars; quality is excellent. Hawaiian Papayas: Color is short; prices are high. Nectarines and Peaches: The first boat of Chilean fruit has arrived; prices are lower. Plums: They are about two or three weeks away. There are good supplies of Apples, Cranberries, Gold Kiwi’s, Mangoes, Pomegranates, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES:  Artichokes: Quality is a problem: freezing temperatures in Castroville is causing frost damage; they will be ugly on the outside but tender and meaty inside. Asparagus: Quality is better on Mexican grass; prices are edging up. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Prices are unchanged. Blue Lake Beans: Quality is good on desert or Mexican; prices remain strong. Broccoli: Prices are up a little; quality is good. Cauliflower: Supply is short; the market is up. Cabbage: Prices on California green are back up; red cabbage is still high. Celery: Prices are bargain basement low. Cucumbers: Prices are improving as Mexican cucumbers arrive. Eggplant: Quality is good; prices are still low. Red Onions: Prices are unchanged. Yellow Onions: No change in price. White Onions: Prices are the same. Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are better but both are a little high. Green Bell Peppers: Prices are up. Red and Gold Bell Peppers: Prices are up; quality is still very good. Squash: Gold Zucchini: Supplies are extremely short; prices are higher; all yellow squashes remain short and prices continue to rise. Green Zucchini: Supplies are shorter; prices are up slightly. French Haricot Vert Beans: Prices are about the same as last week. Baby Peeled Carrots with Tops: Supply is improving; prices are better. Yellow Wax Beans: Supplies are improving; prices have finally come down. Baby Squashes: Not much change; Green zucchini the cheapest, crookneck and gold zucchini are still short. There are good supplies of Chard, Kale, Carrots, China Peas, Hard Squashes, Snow Peas, 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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