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upcoming holidays
• Fourth of July
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NEW!
• Pink Cripps Apples
• Anna’s Globe, Graffiti, Chinese and Japanese Eggplant (Chowchilla)
• Dwelley Varietal Beans: Romano, Yellow Wax, French
• Black Mission Figs (Breba Crop)
• Pacific Northwest Cherries and Blueberries
• La Pierre Coral and Bing Monday
• Galia Melon
• Sunrise Lola Rosa Leaf Lettuce
• Josie’s Salads: Avocado Goddess and Aloha BBQ
• Fair Trade Dolci Belles Sweet Peppers 12x3ct
• Comanche Costata Romanesco Squash
• Anna’s Gold Nugget Cherry Tomateos
• Comanche Gold Nugget and Mixed Medley • Cherry Tomatoes -
promotable items
• Crespo Mangos (ask about mango bins for Mango Mania)
• Tomatero Strawberries
• Betterful Blueberries in 6oz and pints
• Cherries
• Peaches
• Mini Seedless Watermelon
• CVP Asparagus through July 4th
• Covilli Brussels Sprouts
• Sunrise Nantes Carrots -
COMING SOON
• Anna’s Jalapeno, Serrano, Anaheim, Poblano, Jimmy Nardello, Corno di Toro and Shishitos
• Watermelon Gherkins
• Dwelley Corn end of June
• Verry Cherry Plums July
• Shallots Late July
• Early Girl Tomatoes
• California Heirloom Tomatoes -
BACK IN STOCK
• Red D’Anjou later this week
• Purple Sweet Broccoli
• Red Spring Onions
• Tokyo Turnips
• Heirloom Tomatoes (MX) Monday -
TIGHT INVENTORY
• Avocados
• Lemons
• Bok Choy
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Purple Stokes Sweet Potatoes -
GAPPING
• Burdock
• Lakeside Watermelon Radish -
WINDING DOWN
• Jazz and Envy Domestic Club Apples
• Domestic Apple Season
• California Cherries
• Covilli
• Oaxaca Pineapples
• Baja Slicer Cucumbers -
finished
• Apricots from the Central Valley
• Rhubarb
BUYER’S NOTES
Updated June 25, 2023
FRUIT
fruit mARKET update
Due to the cooler weather pattern, we are seeing and expect both Berries and Stone Fruit seasons to overlap out of California and the Pacific Northwest. Take advantage of some good opportunities of an overabundance of fruit from Betterful Blueberries 6oz and pints and Tomatero Strawberries in time for the holiday! Ask us about promotional opportunities. Pacific Northwest La Pierre Coral Cherries are super sweet, and their Bing Cherries will start up on the front side of the week.
Sweet and juicy Stone Fruit varieties are arriving weekly at Earl’s. Earl's tip of the day: Ripen your peaches and nectarines stem side down on a folded-over cotton or linen cloth. This helps the air circulate around and under the fruit as they ripen at room temperature. Make sure to check them daily. When they have a slight give, they're ready to eat. Watch Susan, Earl’s Marketing Manager, share Stone Fruit Ripening Tips.
The California Lemon supply has gone from tight to extremely tight. We will see some sporadic fruit out of Mexico the middle of next week, but Mexico will not be into good supply until the middle of July. It is likely we will see a gap on Fancy Lemons. Choice Lemons are different sizes and can have cosmetic challenges such as scarring. Variegated Pink Lemons are easy to spot by their vibrant green streaks against a bright yellow background. The pretty pink flesh gives a nice burst of tartness and has less seeds than a Eureka Lemon. As the fruit matures the green stripes begin to fade and they become less acidic. Limited availability!
Thomson Full Moon Watermelon has a yellow interior with a dark rind and high sugar. Thomson Watermelon Bins available for the holiday. Galia, Honeydew and Cantaloupe California Melons have good flavor. Seeded Watermelons are done in Coachella and they will probably gap until Bakersfield starts later this week or until other growing areas come on by early July. Mexico is wrapping up and the California desert region is ending right before 4th of July and Melons out of the Central Valley most likely won’t start until the 4th of July. Cooler weather has slowed down melon production. Read the full update “California Organic Melons Facing Delays.”
We are into the third week of Mango Mania and it is not too late to participate. Coming soon a quick shot of Mallika Mangos to round out your display. This is a great time to educate, engage, excite and entice customers with this unique mango. We have all the tools and the pricing you need for sales success! Ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for more information, a Mango Mania POS Packet and download digital materials to highlight your display. Download the flyer above for information on how you can win prizes in the Crespo Mango Mania Display Contest.
The current Mexican avocado crop came up short 3-4 weeks out before the next bloom. The Mexican crop historically supports the East Coast, keeping pricing in California down and stretches out California’s inventory. With both the West and East coast pulling California avocados, inventory has tightened up drastically.
Burkart Peaches
Apples
It is an import market. New Pink Cripps (Argentina). Cello and Utility Apples are hard to find.
Avocados
The current Mexican avocado crop came up short 3-4 weeks out before the next bloom. The Mexican crop historically supports the East Coast, keeping pricing in California down and stretches out California’s inventory. With both the West and East coast pulling California avocados, inventory has tightened up drastically.
Bananas
Equal Exchange in Ecuador has moved into their rainy season and hands will be sizing up smaller as Coliman in Mexico enters their summer season and hands will size up larger.
Berries
Blackberries: Mexico is wrapping up and there is no production out of Watsonville/Salinas. Tomatero waiting for blossoms to turn into fruit and will start up end of July, weather dependent.
Blueberries: Mainly out of the Pacific Northwest. California fruit trickling in. HGO and Betterful will be all Pacific Northwest by the 4th of July. La Pierre out of the PNW will have a 2# pack in a few weeks.
Strawberries: Weather is improving, and Tomatero Strawberries will be plentiful for the holiday and through the summer.
Raspberries: May be tight going into the 4th of July with more production coming on in July.
Citrus
Valencias through the fall with delicious fruit - the summer orange to juice!
California Lemons are experiencing quality issues due to late cool weather and the season is wrapping up early this year. Fancy Lemons will be very tight. Look to choice fruit for a good value with variations in size and some cosmetic issues. Mexico will start up in good volume by mid-July. For the next 2-3 weeks it will be very tight to no product.
grapes
California Red Seedless Flames and Green Seedless Sugarone Grapes now coming out of Coachella. Domestic Black Grapes will start about the 3rd week in July when grapes transition north to Delano/Bakersfield.
Promotional opportunities on Betterful Blueberries
RAISINS
kiwi
Delicious Gold Kiwis from New Zealand are sweet with no acidity. New Zealand will start up with Green Kiwis the beginning of July.
melons
California Galias join Honeydew and Cantaloupe. Seeded Watermelons are done in Coachella and they will probably gap until Bakersfield starts later this week or until other growing areas come on by early July. Thomson Watermelon Bins available for the holiday.
pears
Import Pears starting to wind down. California Bartletts historically start up in July.
STONE FRUIT
Pacific Northwest La Pierre Coral Cherries are super sweet, and their Bing cherries will start up on the front side of the week. Sweet and juicy Stone Fruit varieties are arriving weekly at Earl’s. Earl's tip of the day: Ripen your Peaches and Nectarines stem side down on a folded-over cotton or linen cloth. This helps the air circulate around and under the fruit as they ripen at room temperature. Make sure to check them daily. When they have a slight give, they're ready to eat. Watch Susan, Earl’s Marketing Manager, share Stone Fruit Ripening Tips.
Black Mission Figs
stone fruit, CONTINUED
Frog Hollow Crimson Lady Peaches have a firm texture with a sweet flavor to eat out of hand and a wonderful peach for baking or cooking with. The Crimson Lady Peach holds up well in pastries.
Frog Hollow Leah Cot Apricot is large in size and dresses in a sharp orange coat inside and out. With honey-like sweetness and balanced acidity, the Leah Cot is worth seeking out. Sweet even when the flesh is still crisp, these apricots continue to ripen into soft juicy delicacies.
Apricots: Leah Cot, Blenheim
Cherries: PNW Coral and Bing
Yellow Nectarines: Diamond Brite, Honey Fire
White Nectarines: Mica, Spring Pearl
Yellow Peaches: June Time, Bright Princess, Crimson Lady
White Peaches: Snow Fox, Ivory Princess, Ivory Queen
Plums/Pluots: Festival Red
tropicals
Last week of Covilli Oaxaca Gold Pineapples. Mango Mania is here! Now is the time to get excited, build displays and promote mangos! Promotional opportunities exist for all sizing. Ask about Crespo Bins! This is a great time to educate, engage, excite and entice customers with this unique mango. We have all the tools and the pricing you need for sales success! Ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for more information, a Mango Mania POS Packet and download digital materials to highlight your display. Download the flyer below for information on how you can win prizes in the Crespo Mango Mania Display Contest.
Coming soon! Crespo Specialty Mallika Mangos.
Win a Trip to Visit Crespo in Mexico!
VEGETABLES
veg market update
We say farewell to Spring with Tutti Frutti Peas and CVP Asparagus winding down. Mexican grass will carry us through the summer. Cal-O Corn is in excellent supply for the 4th of July, the cobbs are prime for grilling. Dwelley Corn from Brentwood is not far behind. We’re starting to see more California varietal veg in our warehouse as well: Dwelley French Beans complement the Romanos and Yellow Wax, along with Specialty Cucumbers like the Lemon and Pickling varieties. We’re seeing the first California Green Peppers. The cold weather slowed down the growth of Cherry Tomatoes, but we will see some local Gold Nuggets and Mixed Medley this week! The heat will bring plenty of Cherry Tomatoes from Comanche, Ambrosio, and Durst. Tutti Frutti may have some Heirloom Tomatoes this week!
Supplies are still tight on Globe Eggplant with California off to a slow start. Anna’s (Chowchilla) has begun harvest on Eggplant Varietals including gorgeous Purple and White Striped Graffiti, Japanese and Chinese. Celery is extremely tight with rising prices. We will see some relief when Josie’s starts harvesting again in about a week. Sunrise sweet Nantes Carrots are in a flush with great opportunities for promoting.
Sun Valley Purple Cauliflower
Asparagus
Coastal View Produce Asparagus has excellent quality and plenty of product through July 4th.
Artichokes
Lakeside 18ct on Earl’s Weekly Specials.
baby bok choy
Heavy pest pressure is tightening up supplies.
beets
Will gap on Loose Gold Beets for about a week and then into fresh crop Cal-O Golds.
varietal beans
Dwelley Blue Lake, Yellow Wax, Romano and French Beans offer variety to your display.
broccoli & broccoli crowns
Slow growth limited supply but now back in good supply this week.
sweet baby Broccoli
Steady and good volume.
brussels sprouts
Pricing is coming down a little.
cabbage
Napa Cabbage is sizing up slowly and we will see a gap.
Anna’s Graffit Eggplant
carrots
Sunrise Nantes Carrots in promotable volume. Back in 2015, three longtime Santa Barbara-area organic farmers banded together to form Sunrise Organic Farm, a diversified veg and fruit operation specializing in Heirloom and other unique varieties. Learn more about Sunrise Farms.
cauliflower
Tomatero in a range of sizes. Look to naked 9ct for a value deal. Sun Valley Purple Cauliflower and Romanesco out of Watsonville.
celery
Sizing up slowly and will see a gap on 24ct.
corn
Cal-O Corn in good supply for the holiday. Dwelley starting up at the end of the month.
cucumbers
Specialty Cucumbers from Comanche: Pickling, Lemons and Persian. Anna’s and La Granjita coming on soon with Watermelon Gherkins and other fun varietals. Cucumbers out of Baja are winding down.
eggplant
Transitioning from Mexico to California. Anna’s Varietal Eggplant season is starting up with Globe, Graffiti, Japanese and Chinese.
garlic
One more land of Mexico and then back into California crop.
ginger
As we get towards August, Secret Beach (Hawaii) goes away until the beginning of the year.
CVP Asparagus through July 4th
ginger & tumeric
New Wellness Pack! A combination of Tumeric and Ginger in 8/1# clamshells.
greens
Sun Valley and Tomatero Chards have slowed down a bit. Nice Watsonville/Salinas offering on Curly and Lacinato Kales from Sun Valley, Tomatero and Ambrosio. Still cool outside and the Greens have a nice taste of winter with firm ridged leaf and good cell structure.
herbs
We had a bit of a bumpy road with the launch of the Bay Area Herbs Compostable Packaging, but it is back in the same 6/.75oz clamshell that fits in your rack displays at the same great price as the original plastic clamshells. Bay Area Herbs is the first company to offer plant-based compostable herb packaging. The new packaging is corn-based 100% bio-sourced plastic PLA. Download this 4x6 shelf talker to highlight your display or ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for a shelf talker to be sent with your next delivery.
lettuce
Beautiful heads of Red and Green Little Gem Lettuce from Sunrise and Tomatero. Green and Red Leaf in good supply with great pricing. NEW Sunrise Lola Rosa Leaf Lettuce.
leeks
Tomatero will be the main supplier.
onions
Peri & Sons new crop out of Firebaugh coming soon. Shallots coming late July.
peas
Snap Peas tightening up as the weather warms up. Sunrise Purple Snow Peas are so pretty and packed with antioxidants!
bell peppers
More local Green Bells coming on. All Colored Bells are stable.
varietal peppers
California Jalapenos have started up. Anna’s (Chowchilla) was not affected with flooding and was able to put in some good early plantings on peppers. We can look forward to Hot and Sweet Peppers starting soon: Jalapeno, Serrano, Anaheim, Poblano, Jimmy Nardello, Corno di Toro and Shishitos.
potatoes
Bouchey (WA) Gold and Red Potatoes by the middle of July. Russets are still gapping. Fresh Crop Russets will be very small or large and a few weeks for optimal sizes. PNW will start up shortly after California.
summer squash
Tomatero and Comanche Zucchini in promotable volume - excellent BBQ vegetable! Comanche Creek has the prettiest mixed squash pack. Download the guide here.
spinach
Gorgeous bunches from Ralph’s (WA).
sweet potatoes
Keeping product tight on the last of the storage crop. New crop comes late August. Purple Stokes will disappear in the next couple of weeks.
tomatoes
California Cherry Tomatoes are delayed due to the cold spring. Weather dependent, California will hopefully see volume at the end of June with plenty of Cherry Tomatoes from Comanche, Ambrosio, and Durst. On the bright side, we will see some local Gold Nuggets and Mixed Medley this week. Tutti Frutti may have some Heirloom Tomatoes this week and Early Girls could make an appearance. A&A Rainbow Cherry Tomatoes (MX) will go through the 4th of July. Del Cabo is still limited on Cherry Tomatoes. Red Grape Tomatoes are very tight.
winter squash
Slowing down and limited availability on all varieties.
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