-
april & may highlights
• Earth Day - April 22
• Passover - April 22-30
• Cinco de Mayo
• Far West Fungi Mushroom Festival in Santa Cruz - May 4-5
• Mother’s Day - May 12th
• Memorial Day - May 27th -
NEW!
• Thai Coconut Buckets 6ct- ready to drink with a handy straw!
• Divine Cantaloupes -
promotable volume
• Full line of Bay Area Herbs Compostable Clamshells
• Coastal View Produce California Asparagus
• Covilli Mixed Heirlooms and Brussels Sprouts
• Horseradish for Passover
• Rhubarb -
COMING SOON
• FWF Fiddlehead Ferns 12/6oz and Ramps 2x3# bags- Available with Pre-Order
• Mexican Honeydew and Cantaloupe
• California Cherries in May -
BACK IN STOCK
• Delicata Squash
• Romanesco -
TIGHT INVENTORY
• Broccoli Crowns
• Butter Lettuce and Little Gems -
GAPPING
• Watermelon Radish
• Cal-O 24x2# and Table Carrots
• Savoy Cabbage -
WINDING DOWN
• Winter Citrus
• California Kiwis
• Domestic Pears -
finished
• Shallots
• Covilli Zucchini
• Tango Mandarins
• Durondeau pears
earth day is april 22nd
Celebrate Earth Day and every day with a full line up of Bay Area Herbs compostable clamshells. NEW this week, Edible Flowers and Thai Basil clamshells, 99% plant based and 100% compostable.
At Earl’s Organic Produce, we extend our commitment to sustainability beyond our organic products by practicing the three Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle – in all aspects of our business operations. Earl’s Organic is proud to be a Certified California Green Business.
Watch the YouTube Video
Earl’s Organic Produce is proud to be an inaugural member of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SPUC) Clean Power SF “Super Green” Program.
BUYER’S NOTES
Updated April 21, 2024
FRUIT
fruit mARKET update
Beautiful warm weather across all growing regions will bring on Berries in a bigger way with better quality.
The California Hass Avocado season is starting out of San Diego. The cycle of maturation, no matter where Avocados are grown in the world, means the early crop will have low oil content and uneven inconsistent ripening. The oil content and flavor will develop as they mature with each harvest. Get ready for Cinco de Mayo next Friday!
Winter Citrus season is winding down. Don’t miss the incredibly tasty Murcott Mandarins before they disappear in a few weeks. Tango Mandarins have called it a wrap.
Cold and rainy weather last weekend did not affect the Cherries in Brentwood and Dwelley is still on track for a strong stone fruit season to start May 1st.
NEW! The Thai Coconut Bucket makes it easy to enjoy fresh coconut water on the go. Just use the handy puncture tool, insert the straw into the top of the coconut and enjoy a refreshing and hydrating beverage rich with amino acids that can help you recover from a workout faster.
Apples
Jazz, Pazzaz and SugarBee are the last of the Club Apples coming out of Controlled Atmosphere Storage. Storage Galas will be plentiful until the California season starts up in September.
Avocados
The California Hass Avocado season is starting out of San Diego. The cycle of maturation, no matter where Avocados are grown in the world, means the early crop will have low oil content and uneven inconsistent ripening. The oil content and flavor will develop as they mature with each harvest. Get ready for Cinco de Mayo next Friday!
Bananas
Earl’s Fair Trade Banana program is year-round. A few extra pennies per pound, the Fair Trade premium, empowers farmworkers to democratically choose projects that make a difference in their community. And Bananas aren’t the only Fair Trade product we carry!
Berries
Blackberries: Solid supply out of Baja. Tomatero will start harvesting in late June or early July. We may see some other local fruit sooner depending on weather.
Blueberries: California growers are working through the challenges of the wet weather. Warmer weather in the coming weeks will bring on a good volume of Blueberries.
Strawberries: Last remaining growers in Baja are still harvesting. Watsonville/Salinas will be in springtime production in the coming weeks as warmer weather comes on.
Raspberries: Tightened up last week out of Mexico and we should see improvement this week. AG Berry (Arroyo Grande) will be starting up in about 4 weeks. Sun Valley will be back this year with Raspberries in the late summer/early fall.
Citrus
Grapefruit Star Ruby has beautiful color and outstanding flavor.
Mexican Valencias are done being harvested and California has started up. Sugars and color are still developing on new crop fruit and we are in a place of scarcity until volume gets going. RVO Choice Valencias are a great value buy.
Tango Mandarins are calling it an early end to the season. Murcott Mandarins are sweet, easy to peel and going for a few more weeks.
Marsalisi Meyer Lemons locally grown in Corralitos are fragrant and juicy.
Limes from Covilli are in good supply, a must for Cinco de May!
As Cara Cara fancy fruit is harder to come by look to choice Cara Caras for a great price and good quality.
Navels are at the end of the season.
grapes
Import Grapes are done and we won’t see Grapes again until Coachella starts up in May.
kiwi
California Kiwis are on the last of the storage inventory with excellent flavor. New Zealand Golds will start up first in May followed by green fruit in June. There may be a gap in supply.
melons
Mexican Melons are looking up! Divine Cantaloupe are the first of the season and Fair Trade Melons will arrive later this week. Melons from Mexico will continue through May until the first of the California season starts up.
nuts
Check out the new low price on Almonds! Storing Almonds in the refrigerator will maintain their freshness for at least a year.
pears
Durondeau Pears were delicious but alas they are done. Abate Fetel and Alexander Lucas dessert pears out of Argentina are super tasty. Import Autumn Bartlett (also known as Packhams) are ripening up wonderfully.
stone fruit
Cold and rainy weather last weekend did not affect the Cherries in Brentwood and Dwelley is still on track for a strong stone fruit season to start May 1st.
tropicals
NEW! The Thai Coconut Bucket makes it easy to enjoy fresh coconut water on the go. Just use the handy puncture tool, insert the straw into the top of the coconut and enjoy a refreshing and hydrating beverage rich with amino acids that can help you recover from a workout faster.
Supply on larger Ataulfo Mangos are thin and 16/18ct sizes are peaking as the southern growing region is ending. Fruit out of the northern growing regions are not quite ready to harvest.
VEGETABLES
download coastal view produce california asparagus pos cards for your display!
veg mARKET update
Warm weather is warming up the soil and bringing energy to Asparagus crowns. No rain in site and days of beautiful weather will bring on California Coastal View Asparagus in a bigger way. There are only two main Organic Asparagus growers left in California. Show your support for Eating California by sharing POS cards with your retail display. Download them above or ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for a marketing packet to be sent with your next delivery.
Growers are still working though the Spring transition speed bumps and rough weather consequences. We are starting to see some slight relief and increased availability as weather improves and there is no rain in sight. Broccoli Crowns are tight, and we will see gaps in supply a little longer. Supply and pricing should get better as the weather stays consistent. Quality has been solid across the board. Celery is the last item to transition back up north. Mexico is seeing blight and harvest damage, and US grown Celery is not sizing up due to weather. Good weather will improve quality and volume. Chicories are struggling to size up and fill the demand. Prices are high and supply is limited for another two weeks until we see some normalcy there. All lettuce varieties are tight and expensive across the board. Cal-O’s early Lettuce crop was knocked out by hail damage. Expect high prices and limited availability.
Wild Mushrooms are returning soon. Far West Fungi is waiting for the snow to melt to forage for the high-altitude Wild Morels. FWF will have Morels in bulk and clamshells. Spring specialty items Fiddlehead Ferns in 12/6oz clamshells and Ramps in 2x3# bags are coming soon! All items are available by Pre-Order. Ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for more information.
A little bit of relief on Red Onions from Peri & Sons storage crop out of Nevada. We may see some from Mexico. New crop on all Onion colors will start mid-May.
Horseradish Root for Passover
Fresh Horseradish Root is a traditional spicy and pungent condiment eaten during the Passover Seder. Passover starts on April 22nd and ends April 30th. Homemade horseradish sauce is easy to make with 4 simple ingredients.
Homemade Horseradish Sauce Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor
1 cup peeled and cubed horseradish root
¾ cup white vinegar
2 teaspoons white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
Horseradish can be added to anything that needs a burst of bold flavor. Serve alongside fish or meat, mix it into dips or salad dressings, spread it onto sandwiches or burgers, serve it instead of wasabi with sushi, or stir it into ketchup and pair with shrimp for homemade cocktail sauce. The options are limitless!
asparagus
Warm weather is warming up the soil and bringing energy to Asparagus crowns. No rain in site and days of beautiful weather will bring on California Coastal View Asparagus in a bigger way. There are only two main Organic Asparagus growers left in California. Show your support for Eating California by sharing POS cards with your retail display. Download them above or ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for a marketing packet to be sent with your next delivery.
artichokes
All sizes are available and don’t miss the beautiful Purple Artichokes from local grower JAS (Hollister).
varietal beans
Fava Beans will be in better supply this week. A great addition to a retail spring display.
Broccoli Crowns
Are tight and we will see gaps in supply a little longer. Supply and pricing should get better as the weather stays consistent. Quality has been solid across the board.
brussels sprouts
Promotable volume on Covilli Brussels Sprouts. Make room in your spring display for these beauties.
cabbage
Solid supplies on Green and Red. Savoy is gapping.
romanesco
Romanesco is back in stock.
celery
The last item to transition back up north. Mexico is seeing blight and harvest damage and U.S. grown Celery is not sizing up due to weather. Good weather will improve quality and volume.
chicories
Chicories are struggling to size up and fill the demand. Prices are high and supply is limited for another two weeks until we see some normalcy there.
garlic
California storage crop is running low. Mexico will be starting up in a few weeks.
ginger
Very limited amount of expensive Hawaiian Ginger to tie us over when Peruvian Ginger is shipped by air in a few weeks.
turmeric
Jamaican Turmeric arriving soon will offer a value option. Hawaii Red Turmeric is steady.
greens
Have you checked out the new value priced Greens from Lakeside?
herbs
New from Bay Area Herbs - Edible Flower and Thai Basil in Compostable Clamshells. Earth Day is April 22nd. Show your love for carrying sustainable packaging by promoting a full line up of Bay Area Herbs. Ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for more information.
lettuce
Organicgirl has completed the transition back up to the Salinas Valley and all Salad Mixes are in good supply. All Lettuce varieties are tight and expensive across the board. Cal-O’s early Lettuce crop was knocked out by hail damage. Expect high prices and limited availability.
Fiddlehead Ferns
wild mushrooms
Are returning soon. Far West Fungi is waiting for the snow to melt to forage for the high-altitude Wild Morels. FWF will have Morels in bulk and clamshells. Spring specialty items Fiddlehead Ferns in 12/6oz clamshells and Ramps in 2x3# bags are coming soon! All items are available by Pre-Order. Ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for more information.
Don’t miss the Far West Fungi Mushroom Festival on May 4th and 5th in Santa Cruz.
onions
A little bit of relief on Red Onions from Peri & Sons storage crop out of Nevada. We may see some from Mexico. New Crop Onions in all colors will start mid-May. New Crop Shallots are coming in July.
peas
Celebrate the bounty of spring with Tutti Frutti English, Sugar Snap and Snow Peas. Download the Tutti Frutti POS card to highlight your display.
Fun Fact: One pound of English Peas is approximately 1 cup of shelled peas.
hot peppers
Poblanos are hit or miss. Good supply on Serranos and Jalapeño.
potatoes
Fresh Crop Fingerlings and Creamers from Progressive. Tasteful Selections 3-color Medley with Purple Potatoes will return at the end of the month.
roots
Fresh Horseradish Root is a traditional spicy and pungent condiment eaten during the Passover Seder. Passover starts on April 22nd and ends April 30th. Homemade horseradish sauce is easy to make with 4 simple ingredients.
Homemade Horseradish Sauce: Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor
1 cup peeled and cubed horseradish root
¾ cup white vinegar
2 teaspoons white sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
Horseradish can be added to anything that needs a burst of bold flavor. Serve alongside fish or meat, mix it into dips or salad dressings, spread it onto sandwiches or burgers, serve it instead of wasabi with sushi, or stir it into ketchup and pair with shrimp for homemade cocktail sauce. The options are limitless!
rhubarb
Pacific Northwest grown, Rhubarb is tart when raw and sweet when cooked. Earl’s Vitality Team made Rhubarb Shakes topped with chopped pistachios last week for all team members. It is simple to make and super delicious! Learn more about Rhubarb in our blog.
summer squash
Covilli Zucchini is done.
spinach
Hail damaged Cal-O’s Spinach crop. Lakeside has limited availability with high prices.
tomatoes
Covilli Mixed Heirlooms are in promotable volume. A&A Rainbow Cherries have slowed down and we may see some this week.
winter squash
Good supply on all varieties: Acorn, Butternut, Delicata, Honeynut, Kabocha and Spaghetti.
FOLLOW THE FLAVOR @EARLSORGANIC ON INSTAGRAM
VEGUCATION CORNER
