. . . market outlook

WWW.PRODUCEEXPRESS.NET                                                                            May 20, 2010

Local Crop Timeline

  Produce Express works with over two dozen farms that we are able to designate as local growers-in this case, meaning within a 100 mile radius of our primary service area. The vast majority of these crops arrive beginning in late spring and continuing throughout summer and into early fall.  This week we offer a timeline for major crops already in season and anticipated starting time for summer crops.

 In season:

Cherries-Arriving from Gotelli Farms, Stockton.  Available through June-early July.

Strawberries-Locally grown, various farms, Sacramento County, through June.

Bloomsdale Spinach-Riverdog Farm, Yolo County, through June.

 Late spring/summer:

Dwelley Farm- Brentwood, Contra Costa County.  Blue Lake, Yellow Wax, French and Romano Beans-first week of June.  Yellow and White Corn-second week of June.  Shelling Beans-end of July.

Castaneda Brothers-Suisun, Solano County.  Varietal squash-Italian, Sunburst, Crookneck, etc-second week of June.  Peppers-Jalapeno, Serrano, Pascilla, etc-first week of July.

Twin Peaks-Newcastle, Placer County.  Peaches, Nectarines-second week of June.

J&J Ramos-Modesto, Stanislaus County.  Apricots-end of May.  Peaches, Plums, Nectarines-middle of June.

Ray Yeung Farm-Yolo County.  Vine ripe tomatoes, romas-first week of July.  Heirloom tomatoes-second week of July.

Del Rio Botanical-Yolo County.  Heirloom cherry tomatoes-last week of June.

Ron Kelley Farm-Sacramento County.  Varietal melons-second week of July.

Stillwater Orchards-Sacramento County.  Varietal pears-first week of August.

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

F.D.A. RECALLS: None

F.D.A. WARNINGS: None

Seasonal Favorites

Corn-White and yellow corn from Southern California has been good, not as good as Brentwood Corn but a good start to the season. Currently priced in the high teens for forty-eight ears.

Cherries-Local Brooks are starting with good flavor and color, and geting better each week. A ten pound case is $37.75.

Bloomsdale Spinach-Riverdog Bloomsdale spinach is back. The first crop was destroyed by mold and mildew from inconsistent weather. This new crop is very promising; a four pound case is $19.75.

Fava Beans-R. Kelley Farms and Del Rio have had excellent good sized fava beans, not too small not too large. A twenty-five pound case is $21.75.

 

                       Be Patient

  The following items have just started their season and either quality or ripeness needs to improve, as well as price.

 

  Peaches                    White Peaches

  Nectarines                Black Figs

  Brown Figs               Porcinis

  Gold Bar Squash      Sunburst Squash

  Summer Squash       Yellow Wax Beans

 

 

Riverdog Farms                                                      

  Riverdog Farms is one of the many organic farms growing produce in the Capay Valley-Cache Creek area. Riverdog offers an extensive list of seasonal fruits and vegetables on an almost year round basis. Riverdog produce is “picked to order” ensuring high quality, fresh organic produce.                                             

Farm Owner-Tim Mueller and Trini Campbell         Began Farming-1994        Location-Capay Valley

Crops-Spinach, Baby lettuces, Chards.                      Season-Year round             Farm Size-200 acres

 

APPLES

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

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

Pippens- N/A                   Braeburn- low $30’s                Crab Lady- N/A                  Crab Hyslop- low $20’s

AVOCADO-

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

BANANA-

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

BERRIES-

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

Blackberries (Mex.)- high teens       Blueberry(Ca) – mid $20’s↓               Fresh Cranberries- done

Frozen Cranberries                           Frozen Huckleberries                          Gold Raspberries- pre-order

Local strawberries have full color and very good flavor, 12 pints $16.75.

CITRUS-

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

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

Pummelo-done                                  Murcott- finishing                             Key Limes- low $20’s

Juice Orange- mid teens                    Kumquats- mid $30’s                       Cara Cara- done

We are now using California Valencia oranges for all juicers.

FIGS-

Black Mission- high $30’s                 Brown Figs- high $30’s                   @Del Rio Black (40ct.)- N/A

Half flats of figs have started in the desert, very expensive.

GRAPES-

Red Seedless(Chlie)- high $20’s*    Green Seedless(Mx)- high $30’s↑    Black Grapes(Chile)- low $30’s*

Green grapes are from Mexico, California should start next week.

MELONS-

Cantaloupe- mid $20’s*                   Honeydew- high teens*                      Seedless Watermelon- $5/$6*

Mixed melons should start in about two weeks.

PEARS-

Bartletts- N/A                                   Bosc(Chile)- low $50’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. Chilean Bosc pears are very expensive.

STONE FRUIT-

Apricots- high $20’s                 @Cherries- high $30’s                 Nectarines- high $30’s

Peaches- mid $30’s                   White Peaches- mid $30’s           Apriums- high teens

Peaches and nectarines will be sold by the case only until fruit matures.

TROPICAL-

Pineapple- high teens*             Kiwi- low teens          Mango- $7/$8*              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- low $30’s*          24’s- low $30’s↑               30’s- high $20’s↑                

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

18 and 24 sized artichokes are very limited best value is still 30’s and 36’s.

ASPARAGUS-

Large- low $60’s↑         Standard- low $60’s↑         Pencil- low $60’s↑          White 11#- low $30’s

Peruvian imports are already here, and demand is exceeding supply.

BEANS-

Bluelake- mid $30’s                  Baby French(Mex)- high $40’s           Yellow Wax- low $40’s     

@Fava Beans 25#- mid $20’s*     Chinese Long- mid $20’s                     Romano 10#- high $30’s

Cannelini Beans 15#- N/A            Cranberry Beans 15#- N/A                  Garbonzo Beans 15#- N/A

The bluelake market is improving from Coachella, Fresno should start next week.   

BROCCOLI-

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

Broccolini- high $20’s

CABBAGE-

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

Bok Coy- mid teens*                     Baby Bok Coy 10#- mid teens               Savoy- high $20’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 is gapping, market is very strong.

CELERY-

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

Celery Root is very small (seasonal transition).

CHILIES-

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

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

Habanero 10#- low $60’s↓            Red Fresno 10#- mid $20’s↓             Thai Chile- $4.75 per pound

CORN-

Yellow- high teens*                      White- high teens*                             Baby Corn (100 count)- done

California grown corn has been very good.

CUCUMBER-

Cucumber- high teens↑                 English- high teens↑                        Pickling 25#- low $20’s↑

Lemon 10# N/A                               Persian- mid $20’s*                           Armenian- N/A

EGGPLANT-

Eggplant 18’s- low $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- high teens     

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

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

Riverdog chards are back in stock.

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

Anise (fennel) market is very strong due to seasonal gaps. The cilantro market is very strong.

LETTUCE-

Iceberg- high teens*                      Green Leaf- high teens*                  Red Leaf- high teens*           

Romaine Hearts- mid teens*         Garden Hearts- low $20’s*             Hearts of Romaine- low $20’s*     

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

Iceberg and leaf lettuces are starting to rebound.

MUSHROOMS-

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

Portabella- steady         Chanterelle- low $30’s          Hedgehog- N/A              Morels- low $20’s

Porcini- low $30’s        Chef Sampler- high $40’s     Enoki- steady                  Black Chanterelle- N/A

ONION-

Yellow Onion- mid $20’s↓           Red Onion (Ca.)- low $30’s*        White Onion- low $30’s↓         

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

Yellow onion market is stabilizing in the low $20’s, supplies are still tight.  

PEAS-

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

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

PEPPERS-

Green Bells- mid teens↓              Red Bells- low $30’s↓                   Gold Bells- low $30’s↓

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 radish still gapping.

ROOT VEGETABLE-

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

Red Beets 25#- mid teens         Gold Beets 25#- low $40’s↓      Chioga beets 25#- low $40’s↓

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

SPINACH-

Bunched- high teens*                    Cello- steady                        Baby- steady         

Bloomsdale- mid $20’s                 Tatsoi- high teens

Riverdog Bloomsdale spinach is back.

 

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

 SQUASH-

Italian Squash- high teens↓        Yellow Squash- high teens↓                Grey Squash- low $20’s*

Gold Bar Squash- low $30’s         Summer Squash- low $30’s                 Sunburst Squash- low $30’s

Italian and yellow squashes are starting to return to normal.

TOMATOES-

Large Loose- low $20’s↓               5x6- high teens↓                          5x5- high teens↓                            

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

#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#-

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

Butternut squash is small, very good yield.

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)- low $40’s            

Rhubarb growth is limited by cool temperatures, 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