. . . market outlook

WWW.PRODUCEEXPRESS.NET                                                                            May 27, 2010

 

 Gourmet Mushrooms

   Produce Express carries a wide variety of mushrooms including all of the familiar cultivated varieties-white, shiitake, oyster, portabella and crimini-and, in season, wild chanterelles, morels and porcinis and dried mushrooms.  We also stock several varieties of specialty mushrooms from Gourmet Mushrooms, located in Sebastopol, Ca.  These mushrooms have long been grown and cultivated in Japan.  They are unique in appearance as the stems remain clustered together to form individual ‘bunches’.  The mushrooms all have excellent taste and texture as well as interesting color and shape.  They may be sautéed, roasted or grilled and used in soups, stews and pastas.  All have good shelf life and are certified organic.  Available in 5# flats only.

Alba Clamshell-White mushroom with one inch cap, 2”-3” stem.  Crisp to crunchy texture, almond aroma and shellfish-like flavor.  Blanching quickly before use will soften flavor.  5#-$43.75. 

Brown Clamshell-Similar to Alba with brownish cap and stem.  Together, these two varieties are known as Hon-Shimeji or Beech mushrooms here and in Japan.  Roasting in hot oven will concentrate flavors.  5#-$43.75.

Trumpet Royale-Firm, meaty, porcini-like texture, nutty flavor.  Larger cap and stem than clamshell varieties-excellent for grilling.  Holds shape and texture when sliced.  5#-$43.75.

Chef’s Sampler-Excellent mix of the three varieties above plus Forest Nameko.     Nameko has glossy cap with rich amber color and texture similar to shiitake mushroom.  All are slightly smaller in size.  5#-$48.75.

  The following are available by pre-order:

Velvet Pioppini-Dark chocolate caps with cream colored stems.  Intense, robust flavor.  5#-$48.75.

Nebrodini Bianco-Ivory white color and beautiful bell shape.  Dense and meaty when cooked with sweet, rich flavor.  5#-$46.75.

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

F.D.A. RECALLS: See Below

F.D.A. WARNINGS: None

F.D.A. Recalls

  Fresh Express, the largest lettuce processor in the world, announced a voluntary recall of all chopped romaine products or salad with romaine that had use by dates of May 13th and May 16th. The recall was issued out of an abundance of caution. Only one bag with an expiration date of May 15th tested positive for Salmonella. Although the expiration dates have well passed, Fresh Express wants to make sure this product is no longer available. To date no illnesses have been linked to any of Fresh Express salad products. Fresh Express will continue to work with the F.D.A. regarding this matter.

Alfalfa Again!

  Last week Caldwell Fresh Foods of Maywood Ca. voluntarily recalled all of its alfalfa products after a Salmonella outbreak were linked to them. Twenty two cases have been reported in ten different states. Caldwell Foods Distributes their products to Trader Joes; Wal-Mart stores and wholesale distributors. Produce Express does not purchase from Caldwell. All of our alfalfa is grown and processed by Sun Sen Salads of Sacramento. The F.D.A. continues to urge consumers not to eat fresh alfalfa sprouts, especially the elderly and the young.

 

 

Gourmet Mushrooms Inc.

   Founded in 1977, Gourmet Mushrooms has over 30 years experience growing exotic specialty mushrooms.  All mushrooms are grown in a 43,000 square foot facility located in Sebastopol in Sonoma County.  The harvest of seven varieties of organic specialty mushrooms are shipped nationwide to wholesale food distributors, restaurants and specialty grocers. 

Website-www.gourmetmushroomsinc.com.

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*

Market is up slightly due to slow growth from cool temperatures.

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.)- low 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. Blackberries are the best value.

CITRUS-

Grapefruit (Tx)- low $20’s↑              Lemons- high $20’s*                        Limes- mid $20’s↓        

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

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

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

All tangerines / mandarins are done, Meyer lemons are challenged.

FIGS-

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

GRAPES-

Red Seedless(Chlie)- high $20’s*    Green Seedless(Mx)- low $30’s↓     Black Grapes(Ca.)- mid $30’s

MELONS-

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

Mixed melons should start in about a week or two.

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- mid $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 $40’s↑          24’s- low $40’s↑               30’s- high $30’s↑                

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

All artichokes will be very limited for the next two weeks, baby artichokes are very short.

ASPARAGUS-

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

Peruvian imports are already here, and demand is exceeding supply. No product from Washington or the east coast.

BEANS-

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

@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

Rain and cool temperatures are affecting growth in Coachella and Fresno areas.   

BROCCOLI-

Broccoli 18’s- low $20’s↑             Broccoli Crowns- low $20’s↑              Broccoli Rabe- high teens*

Broccolini- high $20’s

The roller coaster ride for broccoli has started again.

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- low $20’s↓                 Broccoflower- mid $20’s                   Carnival- (6ct.)- mid teens*

Cauliflower market is starting to ease.

CELERY-

Celery- low $20’s↑                         Celery Root- limited                          Celery Hearts- high $20’s*

Celery Root is very small (seasonal transition). Celery market is very tight.

CHILIES-

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

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

Habanero 10#- low $50’s↓            Red Fresno 10#- mid $20’s↓              Thai Chile- $4.75 per pound

CORN-

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

California grown corn growth is being affected by cool temperatures.  

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*

Eggplant markets continue to improve slightly.

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 starting to ease.

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

Iceberg and leaf lettuces are starting to improve. Rain could have a drastic effect on them.

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

PEAS-

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

Solorio Farms/Half Moon Bay English Peas have been very good. Sno and snap peas are being affected
by rain and cool temperatures.

PEPPERS-

Green Bells- mid teens↓              Red Bells- high $20’s↓                    Gold Bells- mid $20’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. Russet market is stronger as storage product decreases.

RADISH-

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

Watermelon radish still gapping.

ROOT VEGETABLE-

Turnips- mid teens                       Rutabagas- low $20’s                 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- $19.75                       Tatsoi- high teens

Riverdog Bloomsdale spinach is back 4 pound case $19.75.

  

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

 SQUASH-

Italian Squash- low $20’s          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

California squash growers are gapping due to cool weather.

TOMATOES-

Large Loose- high teens↓              5x6- mid teens↓                           5x5- mid teens↓                            

4x5- high teens↓                            #2 Tomato- $10/$11*                  Roma- mid 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- mid $30’s*          @True Vine 20#- July                 True Vine Roma 20#- July

Tomato markets have returned to seasonal norms.

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)- limited!!            

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