Notes from the Green Grocer -- April 4, 2006

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LETTUCE MARKET:  Spinach, Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg: Rain and cold weather is causing transition headaches; it is impossible to do one stop shopping causing higher prices and freight costs; prices are firm and product remains short. Romaine Hearts: Product remains short because growers have difficulty harvesting in muddy fields; prices are up…


BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: The price is firming up as growers anticipate more rain and increased demand; quality is good but may fall apart with the rainfall. Raspberries: Mexican berry quality still very good, prices may firm up. Blueberries: Rainy cold weather and lack of pickers is affecting supply; prices are up. Blackberries: Guatemala supply and quality is good; prices are perking up…


TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: 4 x 4 and 4 x 5 are the problem sizes; not a lot of ripe fruit is available; prices are up on the big stuff. Cherry Tomatoes: No change in prices. Roma Tomatoes: Supplies are light; prices are up. Grape Tomatoes: Good supplies; prices are cheap. Teardrops: Supplies and ripe fruit are still short; prices remain high. Heirloom Tomatoes: New crop Baja tomatoes are available; fruit is immature; prices are high…

FRESH FRUITS: California Haas Avocados: Prices are down again; quality is good. Cantaloupes: Large sizes are almost impossible; sugar is a little light. Honeydews: Supply is improved; prices are reasonable. Mixed Melons: There are Canary, Charantais, Tuscan Sweet, and Orange Honeydews available this week. Green and Red Grapes: Chilean flames and Thompson seedless remain in good supply; quality is excellent. Oranges: Texas Valencia’s are finished and California Navels are finishing up; California Valencia’s sugar is now sweet enough. Grapefruit: Texas Rio stars are finished; California Rio reds are available at lower prices. Lemons: Growers are switching to Northern fruit; supplies are light; prices are rising daily. Limes: Mexican limes are back up as rain persists in Mexico. Hawaiian Papayas: Supplies are still short; prices are still high. Nectarines and Peaches: Chilean stone fruit quality is beginning to deteriorate. Plums: Only red, black and a few green; season is almost done. There are good supplies of Apples, Kiwi’s, Mangoes, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Supplies are extremely short because it is to muddy to harvest; Castroville chokes still have frost damage; prices are up dramatically. Asparagus: Increased Easter demand and cold temperatures are pushing prices ever higher. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: No changes to report. Blue Lake Beans: Cold and rainy weather combined with Easter demand has prices heading up. Broccoli and Cauliflower: With four districts in production prices remain reasonable. Cabbage: Green and red both are at acceptable pricing levels. Celery: Prices are unchanged. Cucumbers: Lack of field workers has supply very short; prices are strong. Eggplant: Cold weather is the problem; prices are high. Red Onions: Market remains steady. Yellow Onions: Idaho brown onions are very nice; prices are steady. White Onions: Prices are low. Kale, Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are good except for Italian; prices on Italian remain very strong. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Supply of green is very good but red and gold are another story; prices on all colored bells are up radically. Green Zucchini: With all the pickers home for the Easter holiday supplies of Mexican product is short; prices are up. Gold Zucchini: Supply is still light and quality mediocre. Yellow Straightneck: Prices are level; quality is good. Hard Squash: Acorn and Kabocha are in short supply; prices are up. Baby Squashes and French Beans: Just like everything else out of Mexico, prices are up due to Easter demand, labor shortage, and cold weather. There are good supplies of Chard, Carrots, 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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