Mister Produce | Mister Produce

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.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN PRODUCE

The rollercoaster of prices continues. Asparagus, cluster tomatoes, hothouse tomatoes,extra-large 5×6 size tomatoes, watermelons, and zucchini remain expensive. Prices on broccoli, green peppers, iceberg lettuce, and 6×7 tomatoes have fallen off a bit but are still higher than they should be at this time of year. Lastly, we are seeing prices rise on cauliflower, 22lb boxes of red peppers, pineapples, and strawberries. The reason behind all this is simply – inconsistent supply due to the weather. There is nothing special going on that would have increased demand on any of these items with the exception of the strawberries. Grocery stores, food manufacturers, industrial bakers etc…are all placing their orders for Valentine’s Day so prices will continue to rise over the next two weeks.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

The larger sizes of tomatoes (hothouse and 5×6) are much more expensive than their smaller counterparts. If you don’t absolutely need a large size tomato to use the 6×7’s or even Roma tomatoes and you’ll save a bunch of money. If you are looking for a yellow vegetable use wax (yellow) beans instead of yellow zucchini. They are much cheaper and you’ll get more mileage out of them.

YOUR BEST BUYS

Beets (all colors), carrots (all colors), 50lb cooking onions, grape tomatoes, medium size 6×7 tomatoes, green kale, romaine lettuce (our is Andy Boy brand this week) and both snow peas and sugar snap peas. In the fruit section use blackberries, blueberries, red delicious apples, large size 9 cantaloupes, clementines, kiwi fruit, and mangos

TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY THIS WEEK

USE BROCCOLI CROWNS INSTEAD OF THE BUNCHED BROCCOLI AND YOU’LL GET MORE VALUE FOR THE MONEY

NEED LOTS OF GREEN ZUCCHINI? BUY THE 40LB BOX AND YOU WILL REDUCE YOUR PER POUND PRICE DRASTICALLY

USE 6X7 TOMATOES INSTEAD OF 5X6 TOMATOES

Tag: Mister Produce

February Produce Update 02/10/20