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Notes from the Green
Grocer -- Feb. 7, 2006
 "Compact,
juicy, and colorful, cherries are nicely supplied
with nutrients, notably pectin (a soluble fiber
that helps control blood cholesterol levels), vitamin
C, and beta-carotene, with some potassium. (Sour
cherries, which are sometimes called "pie cherries,"
have considerably more vitamin C than sweet cherries
do, though much of it is lost when the cherries
are cooked.) Cherries are also high in a number
of phytochemicals, including: anthocyanins (pigments
responsible for the red and blue colors of fruits
and vegetables), which may have anticancer properties
based on their antioxidant activities that defend
cells against harmful carcinogens); and quercetin,
a so-called flavonoid, which is an antioxidant and
may have both anticancer potential as well as anti-inflammatory
and antihistaminic properties. It is this anti-inflammatory
activity that has made cherries (specifically cherry
juice) of interest to people who suffer from gout."
More about Cherries from Whole Earth Foods. . .
LETTUCE MARKET:
Spinach, Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf,
Redleaf and Iceberg: No changes at
all, the market is flat; prices are still low…
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BERRY NEWS: Strawberries: Quality
is very good; prices are firming up due to Valentines
Day pull. Long Stem Strawberries: Same
story, look for higher prices. Blueberries
and Raspberries: Supply is
short and prices are moving up. Blackberries:
Supplies are good; this is the best priced of
all the berries this week…
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 TOMATO
UPDATE: Two Layer Repack
Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Prices
have been slowly coming down; overall quality is
improving. Cherry Tomatoes: Prices
are down. Roma Tomatoes: Supply
is a little better; prices are off slightly. Yellow
Tomatoes: Supplies are a little better;
prices are lower but still a little high. Grape
Tomatoes: Good deals on conventional grapes
but the organic Del Cabo sugar plum grapes are short
and demanding premium prices. Teardrops:
Supplies are better but prices are still high. Heirloom
Tomatoes: Mixed heirlooms are still available;
quality is good and prices remain firm… |
 FRESH
FRUITS: Apricots:
Mostly Chilean fruit is available; quality is excellent.
California Haas Avocados: Prices
are off slightly; quality is very good. Cherries:
Good supplies of Chilean Bings are still available;
prices are good; Raniers are finished until spring.
Cantaloupes: Supermarket ad promotion
is making supply very short; prices are up again.
Honeydews: Supplies are light;
prices remain high. Watermelon:
Quality is still not very good; prices are high.
Mixed Melons: Orange Flesh Honeydew
and Crenshaw melons are now available. Green
and Red Grapes: Chilean flames
and Thompson seedless are excellent: prices are
good. Oranges: Texas Valencia’s
are still the best for juicing; California navels
are  excellent
for garnish; Blood Oranges: Good
supplies are now available. Grapefruit:
Texas Rio stars are very good.
Limes: Quality is the issue; Mexican limes
are very short; prices are high. Hawaiian
Papayas: Supplies are good; prices are
unchanged. Nectarines and Peaches:
Chilean stone fruit quality is good and
prices are unchanged; white flesh and donut peaches
are available; quality is excellent. Plums:
Both red and black are in the market now. There
are good supplies of Apples, Gold Kiwi’s,
Mangoes, Pomegranates, and Pears
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 FRESH
VEGETABLES: Artichokes:
Castroville chokes still have frost damage; 24
size very short; large loose, 18, and 36 are in
better supply. Asparagus: Prices
have firming up; supermarket ads and Valentines
Day is making supply short. Bok Choy
and Napa Cabbage: Supplies are
good; prices are up slightly. Blue Lake
Beans: Supplies are short; prices are
very strong. Broccoli: Supplies
are much better; prices are weak and falling rapidly.
Cauliflower: Same story as broccoli;
prices are down. Cabbage: Green
and red are both coming down. Celery:
Product is plentiful: prices are down. Cucumbers:
Supplies are tight; prices are up. Eggplant:
No change; prices are low. Red Onions:
No change in prices. Yellow Onions:
No changes to report. White Onions:
Prices are unchanged. Kale, Curly Parsley
and Italian Parsley: Supplies
are good; prices are unchanged. Green
Bell Peppers: Green bells are your best
buy: prices are reasonable. Red and Gold
Bell Peppers: Supplies are very short;
prices are up and will go higher. Squash:
Gold  Zucchini:
Quality is poor and supplies are light;
we suggest using straightneck. Yellow
Straightneck: Prices are up due to light
supplies. Green Zucchini: Cool
weather is causing supply problems; prices are
up. French Haricot Vert Beans: Remains
very short; prices are high. Yellow Wax
Beans: Prices are higher this week. Baby
Squashes: Very short and expensive on
all varieties. There are good supplies of
Chard, Carrots, China Peas, Hard Squashes, Sweet
Potatoes and Yams...
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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
January
31, 2006
January 24, 2006
January 17, 2006
January 10, 2006
January 4, 2006
December 28, 2005
December 20, 2005
December 13, 2005
December 6, 2005
November 26, 2005
November 22, 2005
November 15, 2005
November 10, 2005
November 1, 2005
October 25, 2005
October 18, 2005
October 11, 2005 |
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