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NEW!
• Sun Valley Gai Lan (Learn more under Vegucation)
• California Ettinger Avocado (Learn more under Vegucation)
• Buck Lemon T’ Orange -
COMING SOON
• Coastal View Produce California Asparagus (Gonzales)
• Import Bartletts -
BACK IN STOCK
• Covilli Green Beans
• Napa Cabbage
• Red Import Grapes
• Cal-O Green Onions
• Cal-O Red Radishes -
TIGHT INVENTORY
• Artichokes
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GAPPING
• Cal-O Red Bunched Beets
• Anna’s Napa Cabbage
• Burdock
• Josie’s Lemon Herb Salad Mix
• Tasteful Selection Fingerling Potatoes -
WINDING DOWN
• Bacon, Fuerte and Zutano California Avocados
• Cippolinis
• Side Hill Meyer Lemons
• Page Mandarins
• Shallots -
FINISHED
• California Super Colossal Garlic
• Green Import Grapes
• Marsalisi Meyer Lemons
• Minneola Tangelos
• Tango Mandarins
BUYER’S NOTES
Updated February 26, 2023
FRUIT
market update
Cold, wet and rainy weather throughout California has also brought snow on mountain peaks throughout the Bay Area, North Bay and into the Santa Cruz Mountains. Mexico is also being hit with weather and it could be a bumpy ride on Berries, Leafy Greens, Green Beans, Baby Sweet Broccoli and other row crops. We are keeping extra eyes on Arugula, Loose Spring Mix and organicgirl, all coming out of the southern growing regions hit with the cold and rainy weather.
Braga Crop/Weather update
Extreme cold temperatures followed the recent atmospheric river event. Current forecast has near to below average temps for next two weeks in Salinas/Watsonville, Santa Maria and desert growing regions. This will delay plantings, tightening up supplies and creating intermittent shortage gaps down the road in April/May on Celery, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Romaine, Iceberg, Cabbage, Sweet Baby Broccoli and Arugula. Stay tuned for updates on the affects of weather and information on the transition back up to the Salinas Valley from the desert growing regions.
Cal-O Green Onions are back in good volume for the coming week but then expect volume to tighten up for a few weeks.
The Club Apple deal is coming to a close soon with Ambrosia, Evercrisp and Opals winding down first followed by SugarBee.
Weather dependent, Coastal View Produce California Asparagus (Gonzales) could be starting in the next few weeks.
Page Mandarins
Apples
Envy and Jazz Club Apples will take us into imports. Opal Apples getting to the end of the deal. SugarBee will be disappearing soon too. Keep rocking the Pink Lady Apples. California Cuyama Lady Apples and Crimson Gold are all but gone. Grab them before they are gone.
Avocados
Equal Exchange Fair Trade Mexico Hass Avocados are looking strong through the first part of April with good availability and aggressive pricing. California Hass Avocado start date is TBD. NEW California Ettinger Avocados are similar to Fuerte Avocados, pear-shaped with smooth, thin, bright green skin, which does not peel easily, and pale green flesh. Ettinger Avocados have a mild flavor and lower oil content than other varieties. Learn more about California Winter Avocado varieties in our Vegucation highlight.
Bananas
As we get into the wetter season in Mexico, we will see better sizing and flavor. Any issues with crown rot will disappear. In the Southern Hemisphere, Bananas coming out Mexico is Ecuador will have smaller hands at this time of year.
Ambrosia Club Apples
Berries
Blackberries, Raspberries and Blueberries - Good supply out of Mexico harvested before the rain. We will most likely see the effect of the cold weather towards the end of the week.
Blueberries: Ichiban Blueberries (MX) are a good value. Look to Forbidden 6oz and HGO Pints to highlight California fruit.
Citrus
Grapefruit: Star Ruby has pretty pink flesh with a sweet flavor. Star Rubys are the last standing grapefruit variety of the season.
Gold Nugget Mandarins are sizing up on the small size but packed with bold flavor.
The Lemon T’ Orange from Buck is large and juicy! It has a similar flavor to a traditional lemon, but with less tartness. It is primarily used in jams and marmalades.
Honeybells have one more week.
Minneola Tangelos and Tango Mandarins are done. Page Mandarins will follow soon.
Navels will go all the way through April and that is when we see California Valencias start up.
Cara Caras will go through early March.
Lime prices have jumped as inventory historically tightens up at this time of year.
Navels
grapes
Import Green Seedless Grapes are done. Red Seedless Grapes in good supply. May is the next round of Peruvian Grapes followed by Grapes out of Mexico.
kiwi
Fully into Imports from Italy.
Melons
Honeydew moving into 6ct and season is almost finished.
pears
We are getting to the end of the year storage crop on Golden Bosc, D’Anjou and Red D’Anjou. Import Bartletts could be arriving in two weeks.
tropicals
Tommy Atkins Mangos are eating great. Ataulfo Mangos are smooth, buttery and sweet. Formosa and Intennza Papayas are delicious and adding a squeeze of lime makes for an even better eating experience.
VEGETABLES
Sun Valley Gai Lan
Asparagus
Cooler weather in Mexico means asparagus crowns produce significantly less when it doesn’t receive the heat it needs. Weather dependent, Coastal View Produce California Asparagus (Gonzales) starting in a few weeks. Stay tuned for updates.
Artichokes
18ct and 24ct out of the desert, expect pricing to come down.
Baby bok choy
Lakeside waiting for product to size up. Look to Cal-O.
bunched beets
Market is extremely tight and limited for the rest of the desert season. Lakeside (MX) for the next few weeks. Loose Gold Beets tightening up.
green beans
Cold and rain in Mexico has delayed harvest.
Savoy Cabbage
Broccoli
Good volume from multiple growers.
Broccoli Crowns
Good supply from Tomatero out of Watsonville.
Sweet Baby Broccoli
Lakeside has good production.
Brussels Sprouts
Plenty of Fair Trade Brussels in Net Bags and Bulk. Every purchase matters. Download Fair Trade FAQ’s and share with your customers.
Cabbage
Full range of varieties! Napa and Savory Cabbage are back.
Carrots
Sunrise is into a flush of sweet Nantes Carrots! Winter is a great time to highlight this wonderful variety. Cal-O Red Carrots is a seasonal deal. Add some color to your carrot display.
Sumano Black Oyster Mushrooms
Cauliflower
Desert is expecting high winds and rain throughout the region. Supplies may tighten up.
Romanesco
Sharp from Organic Treat and on Earl’s Weekly Specials!
Celery
Same situation as Cauliflower with the desert being hit with weather. Supplies may tighten up.
Cucumbers
Slicers, Euro and Persians are all looking good.
eggplant
Globe is steady. Graffiti is tightening up a bit.
garlic
California Super Colossal is done. 3-4 more weeks on California Colossal, then plenty of Argentine Garlic.
greens
Availability Watsonville/Salinas could be a bit shaky with the colder weather for the next 10-14 days.
herbs
Special packs of Herbs such as Sorrel, Chervil, Savory can all be ordered with a two day lead time as well as large 50ct packs of beautiful Edible Flowers. Ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for more info.
Lettuce
Iceberg is back this week and we are keeping an eye on quality. The outer leaves can show some discoloration that shows up post-harvest due to the cold weather. Good quality on Tomatero (Watsonville) Leaf Lettuce with minor pest pressure.
Organicgirl fragile Specialty Salads are especially susceptible to the cold. Arugula and Protein Greens are back in good supply now but this could change later this week.
leeks
Tutti Frutti gapping for a week while waiting for Leeks to size up in the field. Lakeside Leeks have nice white shanks.
mushrooms
Have you tried Black and Pink Oyster Mushrooms from Sumano? Oysters have a meaty and firm consistency. The thick white stems are also edible, not just the caps. Black Oyster Mushrooms have a slightly chewy texture and are soft with a bittersweet aroma reminiscent of anise. They also have a mild, sweet, and nutty, umami-forward flavor.
onions
Coming out of storage until Bakersfield and Mexico start up in the coming months. We are keeping a close eye on quality. Cippolini 2-3 weeks until the season falls off, followed by Shallots. Cal-O Green Onions in good supply for the next week and then we can expect production to slow down and inventory to tighten up.
peas
Snap Peas in good supply. Snow Pea and English Pea sporadic availability.
bell peppers
All Colored Bells in good supply.
hot peppers
Bringing in Cherry Bomb Peppers when available. Del Cabo Shishito Peppers return Monday in limited volume. Covilli has a full line of Hot Peppers.
potatoes
Nature’s Pride Reds and Golds really sharp looking product. Russets counts in all sizes. Tasteful Selections Fingerlings continue to gap.
radishes
Anna’s White Daikon is tight. Will see some from Cal-O. Cal-O Red Radish is back in stock.
roots
Sunchokes from Coke in good supply. Burdock is done season until Fall. Pretty Purple Turnips from Anna’s through May.
summer squash
Covilli is in a flush of Zucchini. Let us help you plan promotional opportunities!
sweet potatoes
Pricing is stable with good volume on all labels.
tomatoes
Flush on Covilli Heirloom Tomatoes with promotional opportunities available. Ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for pricing.
winter squash
The Jester Squash from Tomatero is back Monday. The Jester looks like an oval Delicata Squash with a sweetness are similar to Sweet Dumpling (tastes like a mix of sweet potato and pumpkin). The Jester has a thin skin so it is delicious sliced and roasted, stuffed (try wild rice, kale and sausage) or baked all on its own.
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VEGUCATION CORNER
