October is Fair Trade Month. A few extra cents paid by the consumer – the Fair Trade Premium - will allow for democratically chosen projects to become a reality in farm worker communities; whether it’s a bus for the High School students, dental services or a multipurpose room, this benefit will bring empowerment through decision making and project execution.

Earl’s carries Fair Trade fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Look for Fair Trade Avocados, Bananas, Melons, Pineapples, Tomatoes and more. Every purchase empowers farm workers to improve their communities by deciding as a collective, how and when to invest the Fair Trade Premium.

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.