Notes from the Green Grocer -- Sept. 19, 2006

English/Spanish

LETTUCE MARKET:  Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf and Iceberg: Prices are getting near to summertime lows; quality is excellent. Spinach: As reported in the media there is a moratorium on spinach; due to the recent e-coli outbreak no spinach or salads containing spinach are being shipped; be assured that all spring mix we sell now does not contain baby spinach; until the Food and Drug Administration gives the all clear no spinach of any kind is being shipped…




BERRY NEWS: Strawberries and Long Stem Strawberries: Quality is suffering from the heat and supplies are light; prices are up. Blueberries: Growers are offering mostly 4 oz size; prices are firm. Raspberries and Blackberries: Quality is hit and miss; price are unchanged…

TOMATO UPDATE: Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: The recent hurricane that swept through the Mexican mainland damaged a lot of fruit: tomatoes are short and could reach fob quotes as high as $50; most fruit is on the light color side. Cluster Tomatoes: Supplies are light; prices are up. Cherry Tomatoes: Supplies are short; prices are up. Grape Tomatoes: Prices are strong. Roma Tomatoes: Fruit of quality is very short rising steadily. Heirloom Tomatoes: Quality is very good and prices are perking up.

FRESH FRUITS: Apples: Prices are coming down as California and Washington begins shipping new crop; Braeburn and MacIntosh are now available with more varieties to follow soon. California Haas Avocados: California fruit remains plentiful; prices are steady. Cantaloupes and Honeydews: Westside growers are finishing up; prices are down on lopes but big dews are still strong. Green and Red Grapes: Not much is changing; Thompson’s are sweet but their color is amber; prices are moving up. Oranges: Quality is mediocre at best; Sunkist is not much better; prices are up. Grapefruit: California season is finishing; prices are up. 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 are good supplies of Kiwi’s, Gold Kiwi’s, and Mangoes . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES: Artichokes: Supplies of all chokes are short; prices are high. Asparagus: Quality is good; influx of Peruvian grass is driving prices down. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: No changes to report. Blue Lake Beans: Quality is okay; prices are firm. Broccoli: Supply is surpassing demand; prices are coming off. Cauliflower: Flower prices are beginning to topple. Cabbage: Supply is tight; prices are up. Carrots: Carrots continue to be short especially on jumbos; prices are strong. Celery: The market seems to have hit its ceiling; prices should recede soon. Cucumbers: Price has leveled off; quality is good. Eggplant: Hot weather is affecting quality; prices are up. Green Onions: Hurricane activity has put Mexican fields underwater; demand exceeds supply; prices are high. Red Onions: Quality is excellent; prices are the same. Yellow Onions: The quarantine of Idaho and Oregon brown onions has been lifted; prices have topped out and should be coming down. White Onions: No changes to report. Potatoes: New crop is here; prices are down and quality is excellent. Kale, Curly Parsley, and Italian Parsley: Supplies are good; prices are unchanged. Green, Red, and Gold Bell Peppers: Pepper pricing is surprisingly even with green bells still being lower than red and yellow bells. Green Zucchini: Supply is catching up quickly; prices are lower. Gold Zucchini: Quality is still good; prices are unchanged. Hard Squash: Winter varieties of hard squash are now available including gold acorn, white acorn and delicata to name a few. Baby Squashes and French Beans: Supplies are much improved; prices are low. 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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