__________________________________VEGETABLES________________________________________
We’ll continue reporting on Washington grown Fruits & Vegetables… but now comes a time to describe the upcoming migration of goods to southern regions. This transition of growing area occurs every fall, and without details, may come at you unforeseen.
Look for products in use at your business and note our estimates in timing of transitions, from one region… to another.
LETTUCE has stayed at a peak for cost. Last week the market sold all it could muster, and today it seems to be a balance of supply matching demand very well. We will see SNOBOY Liner Pack by Wednesday… with good deep green color & quality. It’s still a long way out…but we’ll forecast the annual transition of Lettuce products to Yuma… somewhere around Nov 20th.
LEAF LETTUCE markets remain steady. Our Romaine still reflects a higher demand, and cost for ‘top line’ quality. Estimates for our Leaf transition… are in another 6 to 7 weeks.
BROCCOLI -we are seeing lighter supplies as the coastal areas begin to wind down and acreage is reduced. Both bunched and crowns prices have increased over the recent weeks, and we expect them to stay high through mid October. Quality remains excellent. The central California coast will continue on with Broccoli product after all else has gone south, late next month.
BEANS- we’ see the decline of our local bean crop and our fresh 15 lb box, as the season has drawn to an end.
Stay with the 2/5 lb pack of washed/ trimmed Green Bean, -item #707105, which show top quality throughout the year!
CORN- we are still offering a truly fine Oregon (Willamette Valley) Sweet Corn -item #9962. After the N.W. crop is done, there is very little ‘quality corn until mid the winter months - from Florida.
TOMATOES -the majority of Northern California’s San Joaquin valley fields will finish for the season over the next 3 to 4 weeks, with few expecting a strong San Joaquin Tomato after October.
ROMA TOMATOES - California’s Northern San Joaquin valley has 3 to 4 weeks left here as well, with Oceanside and Oxnard areas of California passing their peak into moderate, but steady supplies through the month of October. The Mexico import stock will be in place by early November, with other Baja growers well into the mix for supplies.
AVOCADOES by our Calif crop is now winding down, with the bulk of supplies expected to finish by mid Oct. though supplies will continue on at a high cost & supplies sporadic. The Chilean crop is maturing now and we’ll see a move to these by November.
HOT HOUSE COLORED BELL PEPPERS - Canadian supplies have increased recently, with slightly better availability in large peppers. We’ll look for a sharp downturn in volumes from B.C. over the next three to four weeks. The Hot House supplies from northern Mexico will build their supply going into late October.
BELL PEPPERS the Northern Ca. areas continue in their fall acreage, though shorter days & low temps will soon take a toll on production. Once the Northern valley declines, our volume will continue by the Southern coast, and the Santa Maria/Arroyo Grande valley - taking us through October. California desert harvesting will begin by mid October and share the demand through fall. Bell Peppers are one of the last roaming vegetable crops to migrate into Mexico growing fields.
HOT HOUSE CUCUMBERS- B.C. hothouse production will remain steady for another two weeks before we’ll see gradual reduction on volume, leading back to a wide range of origins in November, finally settling into Mexico for the late Fall/Winter months.
CUCUMBERS - our local supply of Cucumbers should linger on for another week, then take a fall from the radar as wet & cold will take a ‘toll. Fresno, Ca. will continue with a few growers through late October, and finish for the year. Nogales, Mexico is still two weeks away from any volume in cucumber packs crossing.
SQUASH- ZUCHINNI & YELLOW –we’ll see our wonderful ‘local Zucchini product through the remainder of the week, then weather dominates our chances for continued supply. Northern California has potential to remain with Squash a while longer, though shorter days and cool nights are bound to limit quantities. The southern coast of Ca. has begun harvesting its fall acreage, increasing over the next 1 to 2 weeks. Northern Mexico is on the verge of their fall & winter harvest –which will ultimately take over from the northern hemisphere, come’ November.
POTATOES-WASHINGTON NORKOTAH’S - New Crop russets are in excellent condition! Sizing has been average to smaller in sheds packing cartons. This creates good demand on large cartons. #2’s remain in tight supply. Overall yield is projected down from recent years, which may indicate another short crop.
RED, WHITES & YUKON POTATOES from our Mt Vernon district have begun harvesting with good results. All colors are fully available with even better supplies expected. This district experienced poor conditions in the growing season and thus yield will be down. Opening prices are strong and will most likely stay that way for the season
ONIONS –WASHINGTON GROWN - Onion prices are expected to remain strong. Sheds are gaining in the size on Jumbos and other varieties. Good quality for all colors & size!
______________________________FRUIT____________________________________
BERRIES – STRAWBERRIES - we are enter our last period of loadings from the Salinas/ Watsonville valley, as plants there are now very tired. Quality is still nice, with just a little white shoulder present. But we’ll be looking to berries out of Oxnard and Santa Maria, with the quality there is more suited for clean appearances.
GRAPES -red & green seedless have looked great this summer. We’re just starting to see the first Ruby’ seedless in ‘Lunch Bunch’ packs, and these have very nice size. Likewise the late Thompson Seedless have a larger size…and is the featured choice of all green varieties! The Chilean supplies won’t take over until late November/ December.
MELONS- CANTALOUPE & HONEYDEW offers us one last push on supplies by the Westside Ca. growers. Once done, over the next 2 to 3 weeks, we’ll take our Melons from California/ Arizona desert fields. Fields of the Southwest lead right into winter deals of Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean for the duration of winter.
Look for generally firmer melon textures, with more green shading…indicating less ripened sugars in melon flesh.
WATERMELONS will be very unstable while we move into the late fall production from Mexico. Most watermelon growers of Ca. - Arizona & New Mexico are low in yields this year, creating higher costs through demand.
LEMONS are improving today as conditions improved in color, and longevity. Fruit is coming out of various growing areas, though we are predominantly in California, and Arizona supplies.
NAVELS ORANGES are expected to be into the house in another 2 to 3 weeks. The conditions of our late Valencia’s are still good, with light amounts of greening the only factor in quality.
GRAPEFRUIT Marsh Ruby Grapefruit is truly one…sweet tasting fruit right now. If you like the taste of the ‘Indian River’ (Florida) fruit, then try our Cal. desert grown Grapefruit now!
TROPICAL FRUIT –“Go ahead…set the stage for cooler weather and fall festivities”!
All below are fully stocked today, as part of our “Organic & Specialty” Item promotions!
You’ll love the variety~
Persimmons 1/layer #533300
Papaya ctn #58475
Pomegranate 34 Ct #374628
Passion Fruit 1/ layer #460346
WASHINGTON GROWN APPLES fill every box we offer you, whether in the many facets of color & grades –or in our Pears today…all the product is Washington Grown!
Finally…FSA can offer you many ideas on ‘minimally processed’ and ‘further processed’ vegetables …even pre-cut Fruit product, most of which are held to different methods in costing, with fewer changes…allowing you ‘peace of mind’! These often offset the volatility in product cost during our transitions, and importation of product.
Ask your FSA Representative about the many value-added… consistently priced items available! It’ll make the season just a little warmer…