Notes from the Green Grocer -- Feb. 21, 2006



LETTUCE MARKET:  Spinach, Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg: Continued slow demand coupled with high desert yields is keeping prices in check…



BERRY NEWS: Strawberries: Quality is diminishing; cold weather is causing white shoulders; prices are up. Long Stem Strawberries: Supply is short; prices are unchanged. Raspberries: Supply is still short; prices are firm on Driscoll label. Blueberries and Blackberries: Supplies are good; prices are still low…


TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Prices are unchanged; shippers may try to take it up later in the week due to cold weather. Cherry Tomatoes: Prices are unchanged. Roma Tomatoes: Supply is good; prices are off slightly. Yellow Tomatoes: Supplies are a little better; prices are unchanged. Grape Tomatoes: Good deals on conventional grapes; Del Cabo organic sugar plum grapes are still demanding premium prices. Teardrops: Supplies are still short; prices remain high. Heirloom Tomatoes: Mixed heirlooms are still available; quality is good and prices remain unchanged…

FRESH FRUITS: Apricots: Supplies are short as the season dwindles down; mostly Chilean single layer fruit is available at premium prices. California Haas Avocados: Prices are up moderately; quality is good. Cantaloupes: Supply is better; prices are coming down. Honeydews: Supply of large fruit is light; prices remain firm. Watermelon: Quality is still not very good; prices are still high. Green and Red Grapes: Chilean flames and Thompson seedless are going strong. Oranges: Texas Valencia’s are excellent for juicing; California navels are best for garnish; Blood Oranges: Supplies are light; the season should end early this year. Grapefruit: Texas Rio stars are still very good. Limes: Mexican limes are short; prices are high especially on large fruit. Hawaiian Papayas: Supplies are good; prices are unchanged. Nectarines and Peaches: Chilean stone fruit quality is good and prices are unchanged; white flesh peaches and nectarines are also available; quality is excellent. Plums: Both red and black are in the market; green gage plums as well as lemon plums are available too. There are good supplies of Apples, Gold Kiwi’s, Mangoes, Pomegranates, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Castroville chokes still have frost damage; they still look rough but are quite tender on the inside; prices are unchanged. Asparagus: Cool temperatures are firming prices up. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Supplies are better; prices are level. Blue Lake Beans: Supplies are light; prices are up. Broccoli: Shippers are going out of 4 districts; supplies are long; prices are low. Cauliflower: Prices are rebounding; supplies are light. Cabbage: Green and red are both unchanged. Celery: Prices are down. Cucumbers: Supplies are better; prices are off. 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 Peppers: Supply is much improved this week; prices are off Gold Bell Peppers: Supplies remain short; prices are strong. Squash: Gold Zucchini: Small numbers are available but not enough to meet demand; we are still suggesting straightneck. Yellow Straightneck: Prices have leveled off; supplies are better. Green Zucchini: Prices have leveled off. French Haricot Vert Beans: Prices remain high. Yellow Wax Beans: Prices are still strong 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...

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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