Notes from the Green Grocer -- Sept. 28, 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 it’s 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.


Archive

Sept. 19, 2006
Sept. 12, 2006
August 29, 2006
August 15, 2006
August 8, 2006
August 1, 2006
July 25, 2006
July 18, 2006
July 11, 2006
July 5, 2006
June 27, 2006
June 20, 2006

 

June 13, 2006
June 6, 2006
May 30, 2006
May 23, 2006
May 16, 2006
May 9, 2006
May 2, 2006
April 25, 2006
April 18, 2006
April 11, 2006
April 4, 2006
March 28, 2006
March 14, 2006
March 7, 2006
February 21, 2006
February 14, 2006
February 7, 2006

 January 31, 2006
January 24, 2006
January 17, 2006
January 10, 2006
January 4, 2006
December 28, 2005
December 20, 2005
December 13, 2005
December 6, 2005
November 26, 2005
November 22, 2005
November 15, 2005
November 10, 2005
November 1, 2005
October 25, 2005
October 18, 2005
October 11, 2005