Notes from the Green Grocer -- April 8, 2008

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Specialty: Baby Veggies: Baby Summer and Zucchini are lower priced but Baby Yellow Summer is still on the high side; Squash Blossoms are still short but are finally available. French and Yellow Wax Beans are short; prices are high.…


Stone Fruit: Peaches and Nectarines are starting out of the desert; quality is quite good but they are small; Chilean fruit is still available but they are cutting very mealy; Large Red Plums are still available; quality is good…

Tomato Report: Prices are softer on Roma, loose, and two layer tomatoes; Cherry tomatoes are short and prices are strong; Clusters are low; Grape tomatoes are high....

Lettuce Report: No change in leaf prices; the desert is still shipping iceberg but we are pulling from the north; iceberg is tight and pricing is stronger....


Berry News: Strawberries; quality is excellent! Prices are low. Raspberries are still a problem; prices remain strong. Blueberries are still from Chili but are in transition to Florida fruit; with transportation costs on the rise pricing is up. Blackberries are unchanged…

Fruit Report: Apples and Pears: Supply and quality remain good. Avocados: Availability of California fruit is good; prices are unchanged. Bananas: Local inventory is better but distributors are fighting color; no break in pricing. Citrus: Texas Grapefruit will be around for two more weeks; Texas Valencia oranges are unchanged; Lemon prices are off slightly; Limes are lower; California Navel orange supplies remain good and prices are unchanged. Blood Oranges are finishing up; quality is diminishing. Grapes: All grapes are short but Black and Green are better shape; Red Grapes are tight and pricing is up and will continue to rise. Cantaloupes are in short supply; Costa Rica is finished and Guatemalan growers are demanding premium prices. Honeydews are low but quality continues to be a struggle; Watermelons are improving and prices are off. Costa Rican pineapples are not too good and Maui’s are not much better; Dole Gold is the best of the lot....

Vegetable Report: Artichokes: Quality was improving and prices are lower. Asparagus: Prices are up slightly as we transition into California grass. Blue Lake Beans: Quality remains good; prices are unchanged. Broccoli: Supply is light as the desert finishes and we go north; export demand is also impacting supply; prices are up. Cauliflower continues to mirror broccoli: prices are strong. Brussels Sprout: Growers are still light; prices are firm. Celery: Availability is good; prices are low. Cabbage: Prices are up. Carrots: Prices are unchanged. Cucumbers: Quality is good but prices are on the rise; no change in Hothouse cucumber pricing. Eggplant: Supplies are good and prices are lower on Globes; Japanese and the like remain short and expensive. Onions: Brown, red, and white onions prices are unchanged. Peppers: Green and Red bells are unchanged; Gold Bell prices are lower; quality is good. Straightneck is plentiful and prices are cheap; Gold Zucchini is now available from Coachella; Extra Fancy size Green and Yellow Summer Squash is now available; Yellow Crook Neck Squash is back again too. Green Zucchini is excellent; pricing remains low...

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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