WHAT’S HAPPENING
IN PRODUCE
California strawberry growers have just reduced their projected
harvest numbers due to recent cold temperatures. This is creating a problem due to the increased demand for Valentine’s Day. Florida and Mexico are producing steady numbers but not enough to keep up with the demand. So instead of a big supply and much cheaper prices, we will see a tighter supply with prices firm. Extra large size stem strawberries are available as usual for Valentine’s Day but the
prices will be higher and the quantities will be limited.
WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW
THIS WEEK
Tomato prices continue to fall. Extra-large 5×6 tomatoes are still slightly more expensive than their smaller counterparts. However cherry tomatoes and their colorful cousins (both medley – heirloom and yellow) remain expensive. Grape tomatoes are the way to go for almost half the price. Watermelons remain expensive so use them sparingly and look to cheaper melons such as cantaloupes and honeydews. Zucchini prices spiked so use green beans, broccoli cauliflower and/or peppers to get more bang for your buck.
YOUR
BEST BUYS
Asparagus, beets (all colors), carrots (all colors), 50lb cooking onions, grape tomatoes, medium size 6×7 tomatoes, green kale, green peppers, snow peas, and sugar snap peas, In the fruit section use blackberries, cantaloupes, clementines, figs, honeydews, mangos, oranges (blood oranges too! They have a nice red color to them) and persimmons.
