Notes from the Green Grocer -- Sept. 12, 2006

English/Spanish



LETTUCE MARKET:  Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg: Supplies have loosened up some; prices are getting back to normal. Spinach: Cello spinach supplies are much better; bunch spinach supply is improving; prices are down…



BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: Rain activity in the Northern fields is affecting quality; prices are up. Blueberries: The local season is winding down; growers are offering mostly the 4 oz. Raspberries: Supply is good; prices are the same. Blackberries: Quality remains very good and prices have leveled off…

TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Fruit is very short and color continues to be a problem; prices are up again. Cluster Tomatoes: Supplies are light; prices are up. Cherry Tomatoes: Supplies are short; prices are up. Grape Tomatoes: Prices are up here too. Roma Tomatoes: Demand far exceeds supply; prices are up. Teardrops: Supplies are good and prices low. Heirloom Tomatoes: The season has finally arrived; quality is very good and prices are reasonable.

FRESH FRUITS: Apples: Prices are high on most apples as growers finish up the old crop; New crop galas are in; prices are coming down. California Haas Avocados: Supply is better; prices are down. Cantaloupes and Honeydews: Ad commitments are over; prices are coming down for now. Green and Red Grapes: California has finished the harvest on reds; Thompson’s are experiencing shatter and amber color; the taste is very sweet but they don’t look good; prices are moving up. Oranges: Quality of the choice is very ugly; Sunkist look much better but prices are a little higher. Grapefruit: No change. Lemons: Supplies are very short; prices are up again. Limes: Prices are level. Nectarines, Plums and Peaches: Quality of summer tree fruit is beginning to diminish; there is still a good selection of pluots including dapple dandy, gold globe, flavor grenade, and elephant heart. Cherries: Washington and Canadian Bings are done; New Zealand has 11 lb. red cherries available for big money. There are good supplies of Kiwi’s, Gold Kiwi’s, and Mangoes . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Supplies of all chokes are short; prices are up. Asparagus: Quality is good; jumbo price remains high but other sizes are down. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Napa and Bok Choy supplies are better; prices are down. Blue Lake Beans: Supplies are light; prices are up. Broccoli: Prices are unsettled; supply is light due to quality issues. Cauliflower: Flower is very short and prices are up. Cabbage: Green is up again, no change in red. Carrots: Carrots are shorter than they have been in 15 years; prices are up as growers struggle to fill orders. Celery: The market is turning around; prices are heading up. Cucumbers: Prices are down and quality is improving; hothouse varieties remain very short; prices are high. Eggplant: Hot weather is affecting quality; prices are up. Green Onions: Hurricane activity has put Mexican fields underwater; supply far exceeds demand; prices are up radically. Red Onions: Quality is excellent; prices are up. Yellow Onions: Idaho and Oregon brown onion suppliers are under quarantine; this is causing supplies to be very light; prices are up and will continue to rise until the USDA releases the quarantine. White Onions: No changes to report. Potatoes: New crop is here; prices are coming off. Kale, Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are good; prices are unchanged. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Green bells are cheap; red and yellow bells are down too. Green Zucchini: Cool weather is slowing harvest; prices are up. Gold Zucchini: Same story here; prices are up. Baby Squashes and French Beans: Supplies are much improved; prices are coming down. There are good supplies of Chard, Leeks, and English Peas...

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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