Notes from the Green Grocer -- May 9, 2006

English/Spanish


LETTUCE MARKET:  Spinach, Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg: Shippers remain bullish as product remains in short supply: prices remain strong. Romaine Hearts: Prices of lesser labels are off slightly but our premium shipper is holding firm to last weeks pricing…


BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: Prices are somewhat low but are poised to go up due to anticipated Mothers Day action: expect a spike in prices towards the weekend; for better availability please pre-order stem berries and flowers well in advance in order to assure availability on the weekend. Raspberries: Supply is still light; prices remain firm; quality is improving. Blueberries: Prices remain high; no Driscoll label available at this time. Blackberries: Supply is good; quality is improving; prices are low…


TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Prices are off slightly; supply has finally caught up with demand. Cherry Tomatoes: Supplies of the good hothouse varieties are good and prices are low. Grape Tomatoes: Prices remain low. Roma Tomatoes: Prices are still high but are coming down slowly. Teardrops: Prices are up and supplies are short. Heirloom Tomatoes: There are some Holland heirlooms available; good supplies of local crops are about a month away…

FRESH FRUITS: California Haas Avocados: Prices are edging up; quality is good. Cantaloupes: Prices are down; quality of both offshore and Mexican fruit is very good. Honeydews: Prices are coming down; quality is much improved. Green and Red Grapes: Chilean flames and Thompson seedless are in good supply; quality is excellent; Mexican perlettes have started, very tart and very expensive. Oranges: California Valencia’s are in full swing: quality is good. Grapefruit: Rio reds are very nice; prices are low. Lemons: Supplies are still light; prices are still rising. Limes: Prices have leveled off; large fruit remains short and are commanding premium prices. Hawaiian Papayas: Supplies are still short; prices are firm. Apricots, Cherries, Nectarines and Peaches: California fruit has started; small sizes only; cots are small and very green, wait a week or two for quality to improve. Plums: Chilean fruit is finished; California is a few weeks away. Persimmons: Chilean Fuyu and Hachiya are now available. There are good supplies of Apples, Kiwi’s, Mangoes, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Supplies are better; they are finally beginning to recover from all the frost damage; prices remain high. Asparagus: California grass is very nice; prices are still coming down. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Napa and Bok Choy are a little short; prices are rising. Blue Lake Beans: Coachella quality is excellent; supplies are improving and prices are down. Broccoli: Prices are low now but supplies are short and we are anticipating a higher market for the weekend. Cauliflower: No strength whatsoever; prices are low. Cabbage: There is a lot of activity in the green cabbage market; prices are heading up. No change in red cabbage. Celery: Prices are firming up. Cucumbers: No change, prices and supplies remain the same. Eggplant: Supplies are still short; prices are up. Red Onions: Market remains steady. Yellow Onions: New crop Mexican brown onions are improving in appearance as the skin begins to mature; prices are down. White Onions: Prices are low. Kale, Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Italian parsley is still short; prices are strong. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Supplies out of Mexico are better; prices are low. Green Zucchini: Squash supplies are a little light; prices are moving upwards. Gold Zucchini: Supply is short; quality is fair; prices remain high. Yellow Straightneck: Nogales shippers have broken price: quality is very nice. Hard Squash: Acorn, butternut, and Kabocha are short; prices are high. Baby Squashes: Prices are lowest on green zucchini; supplies are long. French Beans: Supplies are long; prices are lower. 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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