WHAT’S HAPPENING
IN PRODUCE

Tomato prices are way up and here’s the reason – Devastating rains in Mexico have ended operations early for
some farms and delaying the start of others causing a supply gap as  farms work to recover operations and assess
storm damage. The demand for tomatoes from both Canada and the USA is now forced to look at Florida as the
only source where the supply is already lighter than normal due in part to the extreme heat that affected crops
weeks back during the fruit set portion of the growing cycle. Other items remaining high priced – beans, celery, corn, iceberg,
snow/sugar snap peas, strawberries, and zucchini.                                          

                                                                              

WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW
THIS WEEK

Strawberries are expensive and by comparison blue-black and raspberries are pretty
cheap. Romaine and romaine heart prices have fallen sharply and are much cheaper than
iceberg lettuce. Soft fruit from South America is available but VERY expensive. Apricots,
Cherries, nectarines, and peaches can be enjoyed for a small fortune. Better options for
something a bit exotic are blood oranges, cactus pears and forelle (sweet and small) pears.

                                             

YOUR
BEST BUYS    

Beets (all colors), carrots (all colors), broccoli crowns are cheaper than the bunched,
grape tomatoes are much cheaper than the round cherry tomatoes, pepper squash is the
best value in winter squash and romaine lettuce. In the fruit section use clementines, kiwi,
mangos, our juicing oranges are a 113 ct orange that is excellent for eating, garnish and
juicing, pineapples, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries.

 

 

HOLIDAY HOURS

TUESDAY DECEMBER 24 – A.M. DELIVERIES ONLY

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25 – CLOSED

THURSDAY DECEMBER 26 – CLOSED

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1 – CLOSED

ALL OTHER DAYS ARE REGULAR HOURS

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING

IN PRODUCE

The Florida growing season has started but we are not seeing any real volumes of

the product yet. You will notice that prices on beans, celery, peppers, plum tomatoes,

strawberries, and zucchini are higher as a result. Mexico’s growing areas usually bridge

the gap but they have been experiencing poor weather that has slowed their production.

 

Now that the Thanksgiving Day Holiday has passed we expect to see the prices of all

varieties of lettuce begin to drop. The lighter demand will give the growers a chance to

catch up. ALL OF OUR ROMAINE IS FROM THE YUMA GROWING REGION.

 

WHAT YOU

NEED TO KNOW

THIS WEEK

Strawberries are expensive and by comparison, raspberries are pretty cheap. Green

beans continue to be expensive because of the low volumes coming out of Mexico. The

two popular yellow vegetables (wax beans and yellow zucchini) are still non-existent

with little to no availability. Snowpeas and sugar snap peas are expensive so use cut

asparagus or colored carrots instead. Be creative and save money at the same time!

 

YOUR

BEST BUYS

Asparagus, beets, carrots, broccoli crowns, cabbage, grape tomatoes are cheaper than

round cherry tomatoes and winter squash (butternut, buttercup, pepper, spaghetti).

In fruit use the medium sizes of both cantaloupes and honeydews, kiwi fruit, mangos,

pineapples, raspberries and red grapes are much cheaper than green grapes.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE 

Seasonal transitions are pushing prices higher this week.
Colder weather here at home is closing the chapter on this year’s summer growing season.
Winter crops such as beets, cabbage, carrots, onions, and potatoes are becoming cheaper
because they are now locally grown. Summer crops are officially finished as we just
experienced the season’s first frost. There are some items still in storage but the quality will
quickly decline as will the supply. Prices are firming up and will certainly go higher as we
begin to use the US imports.         

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Thanksgiving Day holiday long weekend is almost here! Please order all of your
“must-have” items in advance. Cranberries are available – both fresh and frozen so
order them in advance if you need them. Fall harvest display items are now available.
Choose from decorative gourds, Indian corn and pumpkins of all sizes.

YOUR BEST BUYS

Beets, carrots, green/yellow beans, ALL peppers, grape tomatoes are much cheaper
than round cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes and both green/yellow zucchini. In fruit use
blackberries, cantaloupes, figs, honeydews, mangos, pineapples, and watermelons.

                                                      ONTARIO GROWN AVAILABLE!

Apples – tons of varieties                                                       Peas – peas in the pod or shelled in packages
Beans – both green and yellow                                            Peaches – just about finished
Bok Choy and (Shanghai and baby too)                          Pears
Cabbage – green, red and savoy                                          Potatoes – mini red/white/yukon – large red/white/yukon
Carrots – orange and tri- colour                                         Pumpkins
Collard greens                                                                           Squash – butternut, buttercup, pepper, spaghetti
Coriander                                                                                    Swiss Chard – green, red and rainbow
Corn                                                                                               Tomatoes – Just about finished
Dandelion greens                                                                     Tomatoes – Just about finished
Dill weed                                                                                      Zucchini – both green and yellow
Eggplant
Grapes – concord
Kale – black, red and green
Leeks
Nectarines – just about finished
Parsley – curly and flat

 

                                                            

                                                         

 

 

                                                             

                                                             

                                                              

                                                            

                                                             

                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING
IN PRODUCE           

The autumn season arrived this week and the local market is definitely showing it.

Ontario grown apples and pears are abundant. Winter vegetables are available and

prices are dropping with each passing week. You’ll notice prices easing up on all beets,

cabbage, carrots, onions, and hard squash. Potatoes are the exception because the season

is way behind and we haven’t seen any real volume with the new crops as of yet. There’s

still plenty of locally grown summer fruit and vegetables available – check the list below!

 

WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW
THIS WEEK       

A gap in the supply of local English cucumbers has sent prices higher over the last couple

of weeks and this will continue through this week. Local lettuce is finishing for the season

so prices are firmer on all varieties because we don’t have the cheaper options available

that average the prices lower. Both raspberry and strawberry prices are higher due to

the extreme heat in the growing areas. Pineapples and watermelons are cheap!

 

YOUR
BEST BUYS

Beets, carrots, green/yellow beans, ALL peppers, grape tomatoes are much cheaper

then round cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes and both green/yellow zucchini. In fruit

use blackberries, cantaloupes, figs, honeydews, mangos, pineapples, and watermelons.

 

ONTARIO GROWN AVAILABLE!   Beans – both green and yellow Bok Choy and (Shanghai and baby too) Cabbage – green, red and savoy Carrots Collard greens Coriander Corn Dandelion greens Dill weed Eggplant Grapes – concord Kale – black, red and green Leeks Parsley – curly and flat Peas – peas in the pod or shelled in packages Peaches Potatoes – mini red/white/yukon – large red/white/yukon Strawberries – very limited availability – order in advance Swiss Chard – green, red and rainbow Tomatoes – field grown beefsteak and plum (roma) Zucchini – both green and yellow   IN THE GREENHOUSE English cucumbers – mini cucumbers too! 11lb orange, red and yellow peppers Tomatoes – cluster, hothouse, cherry, grape, heirloom and heirloom cherry

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE: 

The summer growing season is coming to a close. Locally grown soft fruit is finishing giving way to autumn fruit. Early varieties of apples and pears are already showing up. Local vegetables are still going strong and we have a long list of seasonal items that are below. Take advantage while you can because they usually disappear without warning from one day to the next. The prices of onions, potatoes, squash, and yams are coming down which is a sign that the summer vegetable growing season is winding down.

WHAT YOU TO KNOW:

Some items are in short supply and their prices continue to be expensive. Asparagus, Brussel sprouts, cherry tomatoes (round ones), parsnips, wax turnips, and strawberries. Lime prices have been rising due to a problem with Mexican imports. The only other has been South America so you can imagine the cost difference in transportation alone.

YOUR BEST BUYS:

Beets, cauliflower, celery, green/yellow beans, green peppers, grape tomatoes are much cheaper than the round cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, and green/yellow zucchini. In the fruit section use cantaloupes, clementines, honeydews, mangos, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pineapples, and watermelons.

 

ONTARIO GROWN AVAILABLE!   Beans – both green and yellow Bok Choy and (Shanghai and baby too) Cabbage – green, red and savoy Carrots Collard greens Coriander Corn Dandelion greens Dill weed Eggplant Gailan (Chinese broccoli) Kale – black, red and green Leeks Parsley – curly and flat Peas – peas in the pod or shelled in packages Peaches Plums (prune) Strawberries – very limited availability – order in advance Swiss Chard – green, red and rainbow Tomatoes – field-grown beefsteak and plum (Roma) Zucchini – both green and yellow IN THE GREENHOUSE English cucumbers – mini cucumbers too! 11lb orange, red and yellow peppers Tomatoes – cluster, hothouse, cherry, grape, heirloom, and heirloom cherry

WHATS HAPPENING IN PRODUCE
The local growing season is going strong. We are at the peak tine for tree fruit, field
grown peppers, tomatoes and greens. Did I mention corn? Sweet corn is abundant and
cheap! Take advantage of all Ontario has to offer because it will be over sooner than we
know it. Onion prices are falling and it’s about time! Large cooking, jumbo red and the
colossal Spanish are all lower in price. Potato prices remain high and will continue as such
until the harvest begins in PEI sometime in mid to late September.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK:
Yams have become short in supply and prices continue to rise as a result. Another odd
one to be short in supply are the round cherry tomatoes. They have been harder to find
and they’re much more expensive than the grape tomatoes (heirlooms are even cheaper!)
PRICE ALERTS – Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, potatoes, wax turnips and yams.
Blackberries, golden delicious, galas, granny smith and pineapples

YOUR BEST BUYS:
Cauliflower, celery, green/yellow beans, green peppers, romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes
are much cheaper than the round cherry tomatoes, cluster tomatoes (on the vine) and
zucchini (green/yellow). In the fruit section use apricots, cantaloupes, kiwi, honeydews,
mangos, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums and watermelons.

ONTARIO GROWN! NOW AVAILABLE!
Apricots
Beans – both green and yellow
Bok Choy and (Shanghai and baby too)
Collard greens
Coriander
Corn
Dandelion greens
Dill weed
Eggplant
Gailan (Chinese broccoli)
Green and yellow beans
Kale – black, red and green
Nectarines
Parsley – curly and flat
Peas – peas in the pod or shelled in packages
Peaches
Plums (yellow)
Sugar pears
Strawberries – very limited availability – order in advance
Swiss Chard – green, red and rainbow
Zucchini – both green and yellow
IN THE GREENHOUSE
English cucumbers – mini cucumbers too!
11lb orange, red and yellow peppers
Tomatoes – cluster, hothouse, cherry, grape, field beefsteak,
heirloom, heirloom cherry and plum tomatoes

WHAT’S HAPPENING
: The Ontario growing season is making up for the late start this summer. Local fruit and vegetables are abundant. Everything from aprictos all the way down to zucchini is available and the quality is fantastic. The local tomato season is just getting into gear and the timing couldn’t be better because all USA tomatoes are up in price this week. We are only stocking local Ontario grown plum (roma) tomatoes because the quality has been better than the USA tomatoes so far this season. You may want to look at other local tomatoes as well – you’ll save money and the quality is great.

WHAT YOU NEED TO
KNOW THIS WEEK:
You really can’t go wrong with the summer fruit. Whether its locally grown Ontario or imported from California all of the fruit quality has been excellent. Local vegetables are coming on strong and prices are falling on cabbage, carrots, corn and onions. The potato prices are still strong and prices on count baking potatoes are still increasing. PRICE ALERTS – Asparagus, brussel sprouts, fennel, potatoes, yams, USA tomatoes.
Blackberries, golden delicious, granny smith and pineapples.

YOUR BEST BUYS:
Cauliflower, english cucumbers, green/yellow beans, green peppers, romaine lettuce, cluster tomatoes (on the vine) and zucchini (green/yellow). In
the fruit section use apricots, cherries, red grapes are much cheaper than the green, cantaloupes, kiwi, honeydews, mangos, nectarines, peaches and watermelons.

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE:

We had a late start to the growing season this year and we are feeling the repercussions
of that right now. August arrives at the end of next week and we still do not have any
locally grown carrots, onions (Spanish or cooking), or potatoes of any kind. We’re
paying high prices for imported substitutes right now. We would normally have local
crops available at this time to bolster the supply and keep prices down. The weather
has been great for the growers so we’ll see the crops coming on soon but it’s never soon
enough. Keep in mind that the local favorites such as field-grown tomatoes, peaches
and peppers will also be late in coming this summer. Locally grown sweet corn is around
but not in great volume (or sizing) and prices are still very high.

                                                                                          

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK:

We can’t say enough about the California fruit season this summer. Apricots, cherries,
nectarines, peaches, and plums are all fantastic quality. Prices are reasonable and this
makes all of the great values this week. Blackberries are short in supply and prices have really shot up.
Blueberries and strawberries are much cheaper alternatives.
Prices on lettuce have fallen drastically across the board and prices on the chopped and
shredded iceberg lettuce have fallen off as well. As usual, there are some items that have
PRICE ALERTS – Asparagus, red cabbage, carrots, corn, cooking and Spanish onions,
mini and new potatoes (red/white), baking potatoes (larger sizes especially) and pineapples.

 

YOUR BEST BUYS:

Cauliflower, English cucumbers, green/yellow beans, green peppers, romaine lettuce,
then grape tomatoes, cluster tomatoes (on the vine) and zucchini (green/yellow). In
the fruit section use apricots, cherries, red grapes are much cheaper than the green,
cantaloupes, kiwi, honeydews, mangos, nectarines, peaches and watermelons.

                                                                                                

ONTARIO GROWN!  NOW AVAILABLE! Beans – both green and yellow Cherries Collard greens Coriander Dandelion greens Dill weed Green and yellow beans Kale – black, red and green Parsley – curly and flat Peas – peas in the pod or shelled in packages Strawberries – very limited availability – order in advance Swiss Chard – green and red Zucchini – both green and yellow GREENHOUSE GROWN English cucumbers – mini ones cucumbers too! 11lb orange, red and yellow peppers Tomatoes – cluster, hothouse, cherry, grape, heirloom and heirloom cherry

                                                                                                                                 

 

 

     

WHAT’S HAPPENING

IN PRODUCE

There is a mixed bag of events that are affecting pricing and availability. Old crop

product such as with cabbage and Spanish onions are finishing and prices on the new

crops are significantly higher. Weather is the main factor in the rising prices in the

lettuce category. California growing areas has been battling a heatwave and this has

impacted yields so the supply is lower and you know the rest. Hot temperatures are

not a friend to strawberries and prices are higher as a result. Keep in mind that shelf

life is shortened on items coming out of hot areas. It is difficult to cool them properly

with so much heat and the process takes a few days off the normal shelf life.

WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW
THIS WEEK

The California fruit season is in full swing. Take advantage of the fantastic quality

of apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, and plums. Prices on Brussel sprouts are

THIS WEEK  finally coming down – they are still expensive but not nearly as outrageously expensive

as they have been lately. We have a PRICE ALERT – All lettuce items are much more expensive.

Celery, rapini, red peppers, snow peas, sugar snaps, and yams are all higher.

 

YOUR
BEST BUYS

Broccoli crowns are cheaper than the bunched broccoli, corn, English cucumbers,

cluster tomatoes (on the vine), grape cherry tomatoes are cheaper than the round cherry tomatoes,

medley cherry tomatoes, and green zucchini. In the fruit section

In the fruit section use clementines, figs, kiwi fruit, honeydews, mangos, nectarines,

peaches, pineapples, pomegranates, raspberries, and watermelons.