. . . market outlook

WWW.PRODUCEEXPRESS.NET                                                                            April 29, 2010

Spring Crops

   Strawberries-Produce Express is now receiving fresh, local strawberries from several growers.  These strawberries are the ones available at dozens of roadside stands as well as farmer’s markets throughout our area.  The berries are picked ripe-they are sweet and delicate, packed 12 baskets per flat and sold by the flat only.  They should be used as quickly as possible upon delivery as the shelf life is 2-3 days at best.  Initially, supply will be limited as the local harvest has just started and we need to establish demand from our customers.  These berries do not replace our regular strawberries-when ordering, please specify ‘local strawberries.’  If we are out of stock at the moment, we will not substitute but rather fill the order when the next delivery is received.  

Local Strawberries-$16.75/flat.

   Morels-The supply of California morels has increased after the recent rains.  The quality is very good and price has come down accordingly.  Morels-$19.75#

   German Butterball Potatoes-Capay Organics (Yolo County) is now supplying us with varietal new crop organic potatoes.  The German Butterball (B size) is smooth skinned with deep yellow flesh and, as the name indicates, a buttery flavor. 20# box-$41.75 Red French Fingerlings are also available. 

   White Corn-First of the season California white corn is now arriving from the Coachella Valley (Riverside County).  Large sized ears of corn with good flavor-available  by case or piece.  48 count case-$20.75

   Del Rio Favas-Del Rio Botanical is now supplying favas “three ways”:  Fava Greens-fresh leaves from the plant; Fava Green Beans-small fava beans that may be blanched whole; Fava Shelling Beans-new crop favas to be shelled and eaten raw or cooked.


HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

F.D.A. RECALLS: None

F.D.A. WARNINGS: None

Going Green

  Christopher Ranch announced last week that they are switching to an eco-friendly resealable pack for all food service items. Last week we received all peeled garlic products in the new packaging. Eventually shallots, peeled pearl onions and other products will be converted as well. The press release made by Christopher Ranch last week estimates the new bag “will annually save more than 500,000 pounds of plastic waste, while eliminating more than 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. The new packaging also conserves refrigeration space, enhances cooling efficiency and strengthens food safety measures. The new package uses 80 percent less material and can be pressed flat for easy disposal.

  Produce Express applauds Christopher Ranch’s attempt to minimize their carbon footprint. If you dislike the new packaging may we suggest reusing the old jars you have or purchasing a new jar. Comments about the new packaging can be directed directly to Christopher Ranch @ www.christopherranch.com or by contacting our office.

 

Del Rio Botanical                                                                                                                                            
Often referred to as “the Produce Express farm”, Del Rio is a year round supplier of organic produce
exclusively to our company. Suzanne Ashworth plants an extensive variety of well known and heirloom crops. Daily delivery from Del Rio creates a true farm to restaurant approach with product going from field to table overnight.

Farm Owner-Suzanne Ashworth           Began Farming-1996          Location-Elkhorn, Yolo County                     Crops-lettuces, greens, tomatoes, and herbs.   Farm Size-78 acres              Website-delriobotanical.org       

                                                                                                                                                                               

APPLES

Red (Wa)- high $20’s*    Granny (Ca)- low $30’s*        Golden (Wa)- low $30’s*    Gala- low $40’s* 

Fuji(WA)- low $30’s*     Pink Lady- low $40’s*            Honey Crisp- done              Gravenstein- done

Pippens- mid $30’s          Braeburn- low $30’s                Crab Lady- done                 Crab Hyslop- low $20’s

 

AVOCADO-

California 60 count- low $30’s*         California 48 count- high $30’s*

Larger fruit is $5.00 a case higher.      

 

BANANA-

Banana- low $20’s*                         Plantain- mid $30’s              Petites- limited

 

BERRIES-

Strawberries (Ca.)- mid teens*         Stemberries- low $20’s                       Raspberry (Ca.)- mid $30’s* 

Blackberries (Mex.)- low $20’s*      Blueberry(Ca) – low $40’s↑               Fresh Cranberries- done

Frozen Cranberries                           Frozen Huckleberries                          Gold Raspberries- pre-order

Strawberries slightly higher due to damaged caused by weekly rain. Contact office about local Strawberries.

 

CITRUS-

Grapefruit (Tx)- high teens*              Lemons- high $20’s*                        Limes- high $40’s↓        

Oranges- high teens*                         Blood Oranges- Done                       Meyer Lemons 10#- low teens    

Pummelo-low $20’s                          Murcott- low $30’s                            Key Limes- limited

Mex. Juice Orange- high teens          Kumquats- mid $30’s                        Cara Cara- low $20’s

Blood oranges are done for the season. Lime market is easing as new crop progresses.

 

FIGS-

Black Mission- done                          Brown Figs- Done                                   @Del Rio Black (40ct.)- Done

 

GRAPES-

Red Seedless(Chlie)- mid $20’s↓    Green Seedless(Brazil)- high $20’s*     Black Grapes(Chile)- low $30’s*

The grape market continues to ease downward.

 

MELONS-

Cantaloupe- high teens*                   Honeydew- high teens*                        Seedless Watermelon- $7/$8*

Watermelon quality and flavor greatly improved.

 

PEARS-

Bartletts- N/A                                   Bosc- mid $30’s*                Red- low 20’s*             D’Anjou- mid $20’s

French Butter- N/A                          Comice- N/A                       Seckle- N/A                 Asian- mid teens

Bartlett pears are done. We will use D’ Anjou pears until summer Bartletts start.

 

PERSIMMONS-

Fuyu- done                                        Hachiya- done                     Cinnamon- done

 

TROPICAL-

Pineapple- high teens*             Kiwi- low teens          Mango- $10/$11*          Papaya- mid $20’s*

Mexican Papaya- high $20’s   Starfruit- low $30’s     Coconut- mid $20’s      Green Thai Papaya- high $20’s

Manilla mangoes are available in the low teens.

 

DRIED FRUIT-

Apples   Cranberries   Pineapple    Raisins    Golden Raisins   Cherries    Pears        Apricots

Mango   Black Figs    Blueberries  Peaches   Mixed Berries     Papayas   Currants   Nectarines

 

JUICE-

Orange             Lemon             Lime                Grapefruit                    Carrot              Apple

@PUREE’- (Frozen) PERFECT PUREE’ FROM NAPA VALLEY

Raspberry*       Blueberry           White Peach      Blood Orange     Kiwi       Mango      Coconut       

Pomegranate    Lychee Nut      Strawberry       Passion Fruit    Guava    Cherry       Key Lime                       

Blackberry       Papaya             Meyer lemon   Lemon Zest      Apple      Pear         Lime Zest

Pineapple          Citrus                 Tangerine         Mixed Berry       Cocoa      Mojito      Sweet & Sour

El Corazon        Apricot              Rum Runner     Passion Colada   Yuzu Luxe Sour       Tamarind

Red Sangria      Black Currant    Orange Zest      White Sangria     Caramelized Pineapple Concentrate

 

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

ARTICHOKES-

18’s- mid $20’s*          24’s- mid $20’s*               30’s- low $20’s*                

36’s- low $20’s*          48’s- mid $20’s*               Baby’s- low $30’s*

The artichoke market is improving. Product from Half Moon Bay (Giusti’s and Pezzini) has been very good. Best values are 30 and 36 count.

 

ASPARAGUS-

Large- low $50’s         Standard- low $50’s         Pencil- low $50’s          White 11#- low $30’s

California asparagus market continues to be strong. Harvesting and quality are being affected by rain.

 

BEANS-

Bluelake- low $50’s                  Baby French(Mex)- low $50’s            Yellow Wax- mid $40’s     

Fava Beans 25#- mid $20’s*        Chinese Long- mid $20’s                     Romano 10#- mid $20’s

Cannelini Beans 15#- done           Cranberry Beans 15#- done                 Garbonzo Beans 15#- done

Bluelakes and Yellow Wax beans have started in Coachella. Fava beans are now from Solorio/Half Moon bay.

 

BROCCOLI-

Broccoli 18’s- low teens*              Broccoli Crowns- mid teens*             Broccoli Rabe- high teens*

Broccolini- high $20’s

Broccoli quality and harvesting are being affected by continued rains.

 

CABBAGE-

Green- mid teens↓                          Red- low $20’s                                       Napa- low $20’s↓                  

Bok Coy- mid teens*                     Baby Bok Coy 10#- mid teens               Savoy- (limited) mid $30’s

 

CARROTS-

Jumbo Carrots- $10/$12               Clip top Carrot- high teens                Iced Bunched- high teens*

Peeled Mini Carrot- low $30’s*       Baby Bunch- low $20’s*              Baby Mixed Carrot- mid $20’s*

Peeled Baby Carrots- high teens*

 

CAULIFLOWER-

Cauliflower- high $20’s↑                  Broccoflower- mid $20’s                   Carnival- (6ct.)- mid teens*

Cauliflower supplies very tight. Weather and gapping.

 

CELERY-

Celery- high teens↑                          Celery Root- mid $20’s                       Celery Hearts- high $20’s*

Celery Root small (seasonal transition).

 

CHILIES-

Jalapeno 40#- low $30’s*              Long Green 25#- low $20’s*             Pascilla 25#- low $20’s*

Serrano 10#- mid teens ↑               Tomatillo 40#- mid $20’s*               Yellow Wax 10#- high teens*

Habanero 10#- high $70’s↑            Red Fresno 10#- mid $40’s*            Thai Chile- $4.75 per pound

All chilies are up slightly as Mexico gaps. California season will start soon.

 

CORN-

Yellow- low $20’s↓                      White- low $20’s↓                              Baby Corn (100 count)- done

White and Yellow corn have started in Coachella.

 

CUCUMBER-

Cucumber- mid teens*                  English- mid teens↑                        Pickling 25#- mid $20’s↑

Lemon 10# done                 Persian- mid $20’s*                           Armenian- done

Now using California grown English cucumbers, market is stronger.

 

EGGPLANT-

Eggplant 18’s- mid $20’s*               Japanese 10#- high teens*                   Chinese 10#- mid teens*

 

GARLIC / SHALLOTS-          

X-jumbo- mid $50’s*                        Super Colossal- mid $60’s*               Peeled Garlic- steady

Elephant 10#- high $30’s                  Whole Shallots- steady                       Peeled Shallots- steady      

Cippoline- mid $20”s                        @ Spring Garlic- $3.95 per #             Black Garlic

 

GREEN ONIONS-

Green onions- low teens*                 Mexican Spring Onion- mid teens*    @Red and White Spring onion

 

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

GREENS-

Mustard- low teens                Collard- mid teens                                 Red Chard- mid teens 

Leeks- low $20’s                     Green Chard- mid teens                         Dino Kale- high teens

Green Kale- mid teens             Rainbow Chard- mid teens                    Cello Flowering Kale- high teens

Chards from Capay are gapping.

 

HERBS-

Basil                             Baby Arugula             Arugula                        Chives             Cilantro          

Baby Dill                      Oregano                      Italian Parsley              Mint                   Thyme                   Parsley                           Rosemary                       Tarragon                   Watercress          Sage

Chervil                           Opal Basil                 Thai Basil                       Sorrel                  Savory

Mint tips                      Hydro Watercress

 

LETTUCE-

Iceberg- mid teens*                       Green Leaf- mid teens*                  Red Leaf- mid teens*             

Romaine Hearts- mid teens*         Garden Hearts- low $20’s*             Hearts of Romaine- low $20’s*      Butter- mid teens*                         Romaine- mid teens*                      Hydro Butter- (12 ct.)- low $20’s*

All varieties of romaine hearts are still struggling with pink ribs and rust caused by excess water.

 

MUSHROOMS-

Domestic- steady          Shitake- steady                     Oyster- steady                 Crimini- steady

Portabella- steady         Chanterelle- N/A                  Hedgehog- N/A              Morels- limited.

Porcini- N/A                Chef Sampler- high $40’s     Enoki- steady                  Black Chanterelle- N/A

Foothill morels are very good quality. Fresh porcini mushrooms should start in 2-3 weeks.

 

ONION-

Yellow Onion- mid $40’s↑           Red Onion (mex.)- mid $30’s*                 White Onion- low $70’s↑         

Sweet Onion-10# mid teens          Pearl Onion- steady                       @Torpedo 40#- done

El Centro Imperial Valley began digging this week. We will be in to new crop yellow onions by next week, market should begin to ease.  

 

PEAS-

Sno Peas- low $30’s↑                   Snap Peas- low $30’s*                  English Peas(Ca.)- high $30’s↓

Solorio Farms/Half Moon Bay English Peas have been very good.

 

PEPPERS-

Green Bells- mid $20’s↑             Red Bells- mid $50’s↑                   Gold Bells- mid $50’s↑

Red and gold bells are very strong.

 

POTATO / SWEET POTATO-

Russet- mid teens*                                   Kennebec- high teens                            Red Potato- steady                      White Potato- steady                                Yukon Potato- low $20’s                Purple- high $30’s               Fingerling Gold- high $20’s                      Fingerling Red- low $30’s              Yellow Finn- N/A               

@ German Butterball                             Sweet Potato- mid $20’s                 Yams- low $20’s

New crop German Butterballs from Capay. Larger sized russets are slightly higher.

 

RADISH-

Bunched Radish- high teens*                     Daikon- high teens*                          Jicama- mid teens*

Watermelon and black radish are available by the pound.

 

ROOT VEGETABLE-

Turnips- mid teens                       Rutabagas- high teens                Parsnips- low $20’s

Red Beets 25#- mid teens         Gold Beets 25#- low $50’s*      Chioga beets 25#- low $50’s*

Horseradish- steady                     Ginger- low $30’s                 Sunchokes 10#- low $30’s

 

SPINACH-

Bunched- low $20’s↓                    Cello- steady                        Baby- steady         

Bloomsdale- mid $20’s                 Tatsoi- high teens

Riverdog bloomsdale spinach is still gapping.

  

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

 SQUASH-

Italian Squash- mid teens↑         Yellow Squash- mid $30’s*                 Grey Squash- low $20’s*

Gold Bar Squash- P/Q                   Summer Squash- done                         Sunburst Squash- high $20’s

Squash markets up drastically due to rain damage and Mexican growing gaps. Gold bar squash is poor quality at best.

 

TOMATOES-

Large Loose- high $20’s*              5x6- mid $20’s*                          5x5- mid $20’s*                            

4x5- high $20’s*                            #2 Tomato- low teens↓               Roma- low $20’s*  

#2 Roma- low teens*                     Red Cluster- mid teens*             Yellow Cluster- low $30’s*        

Orange Cluster- low $30’s*          Cherry Tomato- high teens↓        Red Grape 10#- low $20’s         

Mixed Medley- low $30’s*           @True Vine 20#-                        True Vine Roma 20#-

Supplies are still tight but the market is steady. Florida product is very pricey.

 

WINTER SQUASH-

Butternut Squash- low $20’s              Acorn Squash- low $20’s                Spaghetti Squash- high teens

Banana Squash-                                  Kabocha Squash- mid $20’s            Red Kabocha- done

Delicata Squash- done                        Dumpling Squash- done                  Del Rio Squash- done

 

SPRING MIXES-

Spring Mix-                                   Lettuce Only 7 way-                      Del Rio Salad Mix-          

Organic Spring Mix-                    Organic lettuce Only-

 

BABY LETTUCES-

Mixed Baby Lettuce-          Lola Rosa-                Baby Romaine-                Red Oak-

Baby Red Romaine-            Mache-                     Green Oak-                       Lil Gem-

 

CHICORIES & GREENS-

Radicchio-                                         Frisee’-                                            @Belgian Endive-   

@Red Belgian Endive-                    @Mixed Belgian Endive-                 Travisio-

@Braising Mix-                                Mizuna-                                            @Del Rio Arugula

 

BABY GREENS-

@Baby Red Chard-                          @Baby Red Mustard-                       @Baby Gold Chard-

 

MICRO GREENS-

Arugula-                   Basil-                  Cilantro-                  Rainbow Mix-                    Bull Blood-

Mache-                     Mizuna-              Wasabi-                   Mint Lavender-                  Radish-

Chervil-                    Asian Mix-         Celery-                    Intensity Mix-                     Italian Mix-

 

BABY VEGETABLES-

Red Beets-               Leeks-            Italian Squash-                    Yellow Squash-        

Gold Beets-             Fennel-           Summer Squash-                 Sunburst Squash-      

Chioga Beets-         Turnips-          Mixed Squash-                    Radishes-                Baby Corn- N/A

 

EDIBLE FLOWERS-             

Mixed-                          Pansies-                Roses- limited                   Orchids 100 ct.-       Violas-

Nasturtiums-                @Confetti-           @Rose Petals-                    Squash Blossoms-

 

LEAVES-

Green Ti-                      Red Ti-                  Palm-                      Leather Leaf-         Bay-

Banana (frozen)-          @Avocado-           Kiefer Lime-           Babies Breath-      

 

SEASONAL-

@Fava Greens              @Lambs Sorrel       @Dino Kale

@French Sorrel            @Arugula Rapini    @Baby Fava Beans                           

Rhubarb (20# Field Grown)- high $20’s          

Rhubarb is available by the case or the pound.

  

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

CHEESES-

Cheddar                   Jack              Mozzarella       Fresh Mozzarella     Pepper Jack         Buratta         

Parmesan                 Cotija           Feta                  Mascarpone              Swiss                  Brie

Queso   Fresco         Ricotta         Goat                 Jack/Cheddar Mix    Blue Cheese        Cottage

White Cheddar        Dry Jack       Gruyere           Point Ryes Blue        Sharp Cheddar    Parmesano Reggiano              

 

DAIRY-

@Manufacturing Cream                  @Half & Half                 @Buttermilk               @Whole Milk         

@Sour Cream                                  @Yogurt (Plain)             @Whipping Cream     @2% Low Fat Milk

@Unsalted Butter                           @Butter With Salt

 

EGGS- 

Large*                      Xlarge*                  Medium*                    Large Cartons*

Liquid                       Hard Boiled           Egg Whites                 Organic

 

DRIED BEANS- 

Cannelini                  Cranberry              Green Flageot             Marrow             

@Fava                      @Early Lady          Pinto                          Small Red       

Black                         Small White          Garbonzo                   @Jade Pearl

 

LENTILS-

French Green            Black Beluga         Golden                       Crimson

 

RICE-          

Arborio                     Carnaroli                Basmati                      Jasmine           Long Grain

Wild                          Chinese Black        Purple Sticky             Himalayan Red

 

GRAINS-

Barley                       Couscous               Bulghar Wheat           Polenta             Quinoa      Spelt

 

SPICES-

Peppercorns               Chile Flakes           Oregano                      Fennel Seeds

Mustard Seed             Sesame Seeds         Paprika                       Cinnamon

Cayenne Pepper         Cinnamon Sticks    Cumin                        All Spice

N. M. Chile Powder   Vanilla                   Vanilla Extract          Vanilla Puree’

 

OILS-

@California Pure Olive    @Extra Virgin Olive        Rice          Canola

@VINEGARS-       

 White Wine                Red Wine               Cabernet                     Champagne        Pear

 Zinfandel                    Apple Cider            Dark Balsamic           Golden Balsamic

 

NUTS-                     

Pine Nuts↓                   Walnut Meat          Cashews                    Almonds        Pistachio

Pecans                          Pepitas                   Macadamias              Hazelnuts       Chestnuts

 

TORTILLAS-

@Flour 6”/ 8”/10”/12”        6” Corn              @Sonora Corn              6” Thin Corn

@Flavored (Tomato/Basil, Spinach/Onion, Variety Pack)

 

WOOD-   

Hickory Chips             Apple Chips            Mesquite Chips         Cherry Chips

Mesquite                      Apple                      Walnut                       Kindling

Mesquite Charcoal   

 

FROZEN PRODUCT-

Strawberries                 Blackberries            Blueberries              Raspberries

Peaches                        Mixed Berries         Boysenberries          Cherries

Spinach                        Green Beans            Edamame                Corn

Peas                              Onion Rings            3/8” Fries                Steak Fries

Shoestring Fries           Curly Fries              Egg Whites

DiNAPOLI CANNED TOMATOES-

San Marzano-               Peeled & Ground-    Fire Roasted-          Marinara-

Sauce-                           Diced-                       Paste-                     Puree’-

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

 

 

 . . . . previous "seasonal and specialty produce" issues