VEGETABLES
ICEBERG LETTUCE -- Our SNOBOY Iceberg 24 ct is currently a slight increase to cost for next week, but stability should reign in this middle point of the Salinas second-summer planting. Volume now is low-point as they typically experience regional offerings, lessening their demand for product in California.
LEAF LETTUCE looks as though it’s a steady market by less demand. Our SNOBOY quality is ideal today! Weather forecasted for next week shows a trend back to hot conditions across Salinas, so we’ll see what comes next.
ASPARAGUS are still from Mexico, but look for a period of late summer/fall leading to asparagus supplies of So. America.
BROCCOLI prices have remained fairly steady over the past weeks. We’ll expect it to remain that way as home-grown deals around the country continue.
There is seemingly every type of vegetable here in full blown production, though grower representatives say this is not a peak shipping period as would be when the country’s “local deals” all fall away.
PEAS -- Our Salinas crop is in truly great form of quality and you should look to use stringless snap peas in a seafood scallop with octopus, scallop or calamari.
BELL PEPPERS out of Stockton, Lodi, & Gilroy, CA all look like they’ll be in good supplies for the balance of August and into September.
AVOCADOES will fully transition in source over 4 weeks to come. Now we hold on with California supplies. The market is up in the air for decisions on what’s the best product source to follow by: Chile or Mexico.
TOMATOES -- Northern California is starting to show the effects of the heat from mid-July. This is going to affect size availability and yields. Look for the pattern to continue into September.
ROMA TOMATOES -- California volume has already dropped off from July’s heat which will affect production into early September.
Let’s look for uses in all locally grown produce!
· CUCUMBERS - NW cucumbers are now in full swing from the Auburn & Puyallup valley, by our grower, Burr Mosby .
· HOT HOUSE COLORED BELL PEPPERS from B.C., Canada are in a good stable supply base.
· HOT HOUSE CUCUMBERS of British Columbia product will drop off supplies as their houses transition between sets over the next few weeks.
· GREEN BEANS are in good supplies of 15# ctn (#143421 *Oregon Grown).
· ONIONS Washington ALL our stock will fill quickly with new crop onions. Jumbo Yellow onions are in good demand and so may be slightly tight for a while.
-Walla-Walla Onions are at the doorstep to oblivion in the ’09 summer season. See ya again next May! (SNOBOY 50# Jumbo Yellows #665983)
· POTATOES Washington Our Eastern Washington Potato Crop has begun new Russets!!
-Our own Skagit Valley released ‘new’ Colored Potatoes last week as well and in the days to come you’ll see all these make your order fill!
§ Washington Grown Cherries 1/lug #354325 -you’ll see dark, big, sweet “Bings”.
§ Washington Grown Peaches 2/layer #757608
§ B.C. Canadian Grown Blueberries, 12/12oz #730558
§ Organic Seedless Watermelon 2 ct/ 25 LBS #219769
` (Eastern Wash/ Hermiston OR. Organically harvested)
§ Locally Grown Yellow Squash, 20 lbs #101907
§ Local Zucchinis 25 lbs, #673631
§ ORGANIC TOMATO HEIRLOOM (10 LBS) #573398
(Dennison Farms, Corvallis OR. - Organically harvested)
§ Local Green Cabbage, 50 lbs #109134; (Red Cabbage- #109118)
§ Local Lettuce, Green Leaf 6/each #150371
§ Local Lettuce, Romaine 6/each #150355
§ Local Cilantro 30 ct #529400
§ Local Kale (24 ct bunched) #111848
§ Local Parsley (60 ct bunched) #111007
§ Mushroom Portabella Large, (5 LBS), #874897 -Locally harvested!
§ Local Clover Sprouts 2lb #191923 (Bean Sprouts 5lbs -#111910)
§ Local, Organic Herbs * all local…right now. Add herbs to soup, salads for additional appeal!
Washington New Crop Russets & Colored Potatoes- (Yes we have “new crop” SNOBOY Russet Packs!)
Potato pack item codes…
|
779571 |
POTATOES RED #2 |
1 |
50# |
|
185787 |
POTATOES RED 'A' |
1 |
50# |
|
110663 |
POTATOES RED 'B' |
1 |
50# |
|
614807 |
POTATOES RED 'C' |
1 |
50# |
|
110892 |
POTATOES RUSSET 100CT |
1 |
CTN |
|
171026 |
POTATOES RUSSET 120CT |
1 |
CTN |
|
194603 |
POTATOES RUSSET BAKER 40CT |
1 |
50# |
|
11770 |
POTATOES RUSSET BAKER 50CT |
1 |
50# |
|
475998 |
POTATOES RUSSET BAKER 60CT |
1 |
50# |
|
181757 |
POTATOES RUSSET BAKER 70CT |
1 |
50# |
|
110876 |
POTATOES RUSSET BAKER 80CT |
1 |
CTN |
|
110906 |
POTATOES RUSSET BAKER 90CT |
1 |
CTN |
|
530964 |
POTATOES WHT ROSE |
1 |
50# |
|
340375 |
POTATOES YUKON GOLD |
1 |
50# |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FRUIT
GRAPES- Red Grape quality has been nice with large, dark berries!
BERRIES-STRAWBERRIES are still plentiful, though we’re just past the mid-point in peak Northern California production. Sizing is getting a little smaller as we move along toward the later season. Quality too is starting to fall off, with more ripened bruising occurring across the board.
Our Blueberries are coming in from Canada already; Raspberries & Blackberries are still in good condition from California.
Ø “STRAWBERRIES are traveling plants”
One presenter representing Naturipe Strawberry Growers of Watsonville/ Salinas taught us that the season in Northern California is substantially extended by a method of trucking healthy Strawberry vines to the Northern Cal border at 4,000 foot elevation. Here in the first days of November, “cold” drives fruit vines to store vital energy for winter –thereby making them stronger and allowing an early start to fruit of the coming spring.
MELONS had been going like gang busters on the west side (Firebaugh/ Mendota/ Huron), but hit a snag on harvesting late last week. Overall quality is looking good, but occasional lots may show some drop in quality.
§ Look again at our mixed melons –truly a seasonal treat! 5ct ctn in a Mix of “Juan Canary – Galia –Santa Claus – Orange Honeydew & Crenshaw’
Melon Variety Mix’ 5 ct - #23809
CITRUS -We don’t intentionally bring Southern hemisphere (Australian) ‘import Navel’s as they’re mostly dedicated to retail, plus seasonal Valencia Oranges still fill Food Service needs well.
We have reports for some heat damage affecting the California Lemon supply and this could progress. You’ll usually see import Chilean Lemons, (smaller sizes) by fall. Lemon prices may increase more should any issues in packing follow.
LOCAL NORTHWEST APPLES
-Gold Delicious - Good availability all grades and sizes.
-Gala’s –We already transitioned to New Zealand crop Royal Gala’s’ with a market price reflective of Imports
-Braeburns – as with Royal Gala’s, these are now supplied by New Zealand, not returning to Washington until October.
-Fuji’s – statewide inventories are good to carry through summer this year. Large sizes are tighter
-Granny Smith – Good supplies to September.
-Red Delicious –good supplies on all size reds in all grades.
D’Anjou pears – Good supplies on all sizes and quality is great. Supplies will last a little longer before trading places with Imports from Chile & New Zealand.
S.N.O.R. Corner…
SUSTAINABLE
Upon meeting third & fourth Generation Farmers of Salinas, we’re reminded that lands there have been in possession of Families for generations. We heard from Tommy Nunes as we visited a field (now in Green Onions); in his family’s perpetual custody since 1935. Foremost on the minds of all here is the sustainability of the land and growing properties. Their total management method is dedicated to future growing capabilities of their lands.
NATURAL
It’s interesting to see the various traps in use that attract ‘mites & other damaging insects away from tender vegetable rows. We frequently saw Corn stalk, Alfalfa, plus rows of bright colored flowers to confine ‘bugs’; effectively reducing needs of ‘pesticides’.
ORGANIC
We see more acreage in Salinas dedicated to Organic growing practices. As more acreage is planted & harvested with Organic dedication, our markets will be served with Value of Organic resources
REGIONAL
(From ‘The Produce News” July 27th)-
Seattle Community College has an upcoming star in their Culinary Arts program and She is Nicole Mau. Nicole took 1st place among finalists of a recent ‘Pear Bureau N.W. culinary competition. Nicole won with her creation of a Red Anjou Pear frite, made from lightly fried rice-pudding, molded to a Pear shape & filled with Pear compote. This was topped by a Clove & Bay Leaf to complete a Pear representation! Great Idea! Congratulations to Nicole; who took the top prize of $2,500 dollars.