Late summer produce is starting to wind down and it is the time of year to start making room for the wonderful bounty of Fall. There is a chill in the morning air and new crop California red Gala apples and fragrant Bartlett Pears are the stars of the show.

Crisp and refreshing, with a delicate fig-and-caramel flavor, fresh jujubes provide more vitamin C than your average citrus fruit. Toss into a weeknight salad, swap out added sugar in baked goods for the subtle sweetness, or simply remove the pit and whir into a healthy fruit smoothie to go.

Cape Gooseberries are full of seeds with a texture and flavor similar to a tomato but with a deeper flavor and a hint of tartness.

Earl’s long relationship with Burkart begin over 20 years ago. Picked at optimum maturity with the highest sugar levels, Burkart stone fruit has outstanding flavor and is a real crowd pleaser! Richard Burkart grows high-quality organic stone fruit on 65 acres near Dinuba along the northern border of Tulare County about four hours south of San Francisco.

California Apricots and Cherries historically lead off the season late April. This year, however, various factors have combined to delay the early varieties by as much as two weeks. The late start is being attributed to tremendous amounts of rain and colder-than-usual weather, which impacted bloom and pollination. “Overall it is going to be a unique and positive year,” Jarod Hunting, Earl’s Stone Fruit buyer said. Discover which varieties are arriving weekly.

Onions are available year-round, but they are a seasonal item! The new California crop is barely cured. This means they will not have the hard exterior skin seen in peak season products from up north. The skin will likely be shaggy and flaky. There are benefits to fresh crop product! They are sweeter, far less pungent and there are no issues with sprouting. Learn when to expect new crop onions.

Most years, the California stone fruit deal begins in late April, with apricots and cherries leading the way. This year, however, various factors have combined to delay the early varieties by as much as two weeks. Find out when to expect apricots and cherries.

California Organic Asparagus from Coastal View Produce in the Salinas Valley is a sure sign Spring is here! For over 35 years Coastal View Produce has been growing high-quality, organic asparagus in between the Santa Lucia and Gabilan mountain ranges in the heart of the Salinas Valley. The Mediterranean climate and fertile soil make it an ideal growing region for asparagus. Coastal View Produce asparagus, weather dependent, is available through July 4th.

During the winter months many growers move their operations from the Salinas and San Joaquin Valley down to Yuma, Arizona and the California desert. As the weather warms up historically in March, the growing areas move north from Mexico and the California desert to the Salinas Valley. Growers are saying this is the latest, wettest and most difficult transition they have experienced. Expect shortages on your favorite produce in April and May.