Our weekly buying guides and information sheets from our suppliers are currently filled with the phrase “ the market remains strong” and various other ways to express this fact such as “the market has moved upward” and “the market continues to strengthen.” This means that the price is high on that particular item. Other popular phrases include “crop in transition”, “reduced acreage due to rain damage” and “ bruising due to hail.” We really can’t think of any new phrases to express the current situation other than to add another popular remark in these guides: “worse winter weather we’ve seen in years.” We feel that it is important to continue to emphasize these facts to our customers because, well, it’s all true. Produce can be volatile and perishable in nature and since we receive an entire warehouse of
produce each day and the majority of our customers order each day, or, at least several times a week, we all can see rapid changes in both quality and price. The sun will shine again and prices will stabilize-in the meantime, we will make every effort to deliver the best produce available.

  Asparagus-Though not always the case in the past, Asparagus is now available year round. However, unlike other year round crops that bounce back and forth from California and Mexico, Asparagus travels a far greater route over the course of the year. In early winter, the crop arrives from Peru. By February, around Valentine’s Day, Mexico begins shipping to California. Quickly, by Spring, there is both a Mexican and California crop. Delta Asparagus starts usually in March and will continue until June. Then, the crop is off to Washington for Summer, back to Mexico for Fall, then South America again for the Winter. Price and quality is affected by this journey, Asparagus in December approaches $5 a pound while Delta Asparagus, in peak season, can be as low as $1 per pound. Planting of Delta Asparagus reached its peak in 1999 with 34,000 acres planted. Currently, in 2005, there are 27,000 acres available for harvest. Farmers have intentionally planted fewer acres because of (1) higher production costs, (2) foreign competition, and (3) a desire to stabilize price-that is, less available, higher price. Delta Asparagus is considered the best of this now year round crop-it just may cost a few cents more per pound this year.
   Wild Mushrooms-Chanterelles, Hedgehogs, Morels, Porcinis-four popular varieties of wild mushroom that are available at various times of the year. As for a year round cycle, it looks something like this-Morels in the Spring, Porcinis in the Fall, Hedgehogs in the Winter and Chanterelles about nine months out of twelve. Chanterelles have become the most popular of the varieties due to their availability, name recognition and overall quality. During the course of the year, we receive Chanterelles from France, Israel, Canada, the Pacific Northwest and California. The price of Chanterelles is best in August and quality is best in the Fall. At the moment, wild mushrooms are seasonally challenged due to, guess what-the weather.
Hedgehogs are finishing their season and will shortly be replaced by imported Chanterelles. California Chanterelles unexpectedly started early-however, they are arriving very wet due to their sponge-like ability to soak up all this rain. Wild Mushrooms are very popular and remain beyond the control of mankind-we have yet to figure out how to grow them indoors like other mushrooms. Quality and price will vary.
   Bloomsdale Spinach-This particular variety of Spinach has become quite popular over the past year with many of our customers. Bloomsdale is an heirloom variety of spinach with a sweet flavor and thick, crunchy leaves and emerald green color. This Spinach is packed loose and the majority of the leaves have stem attached . Bloomsdale is striking in appearance and sturdy in nature-thus it holds quite well for culinary purposes such as braising and sauté. Currently, we are receiving this Spinach primarily from organic farmers- T.D. Wiley Farms in Madera and Riverdog Farms in the Capay Valley. The season is late winter through spring and then again in the fall and, due to limited supply at the moment, sells out quickly.
   Strawberries-Spring is strawberry season and quality and price are improving. Recently, we started receiving Strawberries in the one pound ‘clamshells’ as opposed to the small plastic baskets. The berries are packed better in these containers as the good berries no longer conceal berries of lesser quality and they are also easier to handle and shelf life is greatly improved. We will contrinue to sell Strawberries in this manner as long as the price is comparable to the 1/2 pint baskets.
   Healthy Thought-According to the nearly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, eating a fresh pear with the skin on is a good way to obtain a good portion of the recommended daily fiber requirements. One pear offers nearly five grams of fiber or about 17% of the recommended daily intake for most adults. Fiber is a special type of carbohydrate found mainly in plants. Fiber is an important part of the daily diet-it encourage healthy digestion, helps reduce cholesterol and provides energy to the body and contributes no calories Although grains are usually touted for their fiber, pears actually provide more fiber per serving than most whole grain foods and many fruits. Pears are available year round-spring varieties include Green and Red D’Anjou and Bosc.