Local Blackberry Crop Peaking

We are receiving daily seasons most beautiful and delectable blackberries from local sources. Cole Berry Farm and Westmoreland Farms are sending us awesome berries at great prices!

market marketnotes notes

produce market report August 13, 2013

Local Corner
Dont forget to order treeripened white nectarines and white peaches while they have that just picked flavor and juicy sweetness. Crown Orchards is delivering us their best on a daily basis right now. Eastern peaches started later than usual this year so harvests will last longer. We still have plenty of tasty sweet local cantaloupe from Shlagel Farms. Our friends at Shlagel are also sending some nice local tomatoes. Parker Farms are in and out of the market on squash. We got a fair amount of zucchini and yellow squash but prices are up several dollars a box on everything. Green peppers are more expensive now with extra large being in the $20 range. We do have choice peppers but are high right now. Local heirloom tomatoes are really beautiful and here in volumes from a coop operation called Tuscarora in which 15 local farmers participate. From the looks of things, their work is paying off. These are gorgeous tomatoes! Because of the balky weather, the local corn harvest is down overall this year. Prices are way up on white and yellow corn but we are still pulling from local sources. There is nothing that tastes like summer better than sweet, juicy watermelon. Not only do we have luscious red seedless watermelon but we still have great looking yellow meat watermelons! Local broccoli and jalapenos are good buys. Green cabbage is really nice right now from Torey Farms in NY.

Local
Local peaches and nectarines Blackberries Local heirloom tomatoes Cantaloupe Watermelon Corn Broccoli Jalapenos Squash Green peppers

Keep in Mind:
Blueberries are in now from Michigan and Canada and prices are competitive. Strawberries are a little tight but beautiful. The prices are high as well as the pro rate. Black mission figs in full pints are here from California. Those super sweet green kadota figs are here too! Red globe, Flame, green and black seedless are all in good stock.

Turlock Fruit is sending the seasons first casaba and Crenshaw melons. When you combine that news with the outstanding quality we have from the Westside on cantaloupes and honeydews, it sends a strong message to load up on melons! One cautionary note: all melons are large size now, 9 ct., 12 ct and 15 ct. Smaller sizes are too green. Avocados are steadily available now in all sizes with no problems. Ask for California stone fruit like pluots, plums, nectarines, and peaches. Kale, collard greens, and mustard greens are tight with sources up and down the east coast dealing with rainy fields. Green beans have spiked up this week with yields way down due to weather problems. Prices are high. We continue to see a hike in prices for Idaho potatoes. The market is very active as the storage crop winds down and the new crop will not be in until September.

Keep in Mind
Casabas and Crenshaws Cantaloupe and honeydews Blueberries Strawberries Figs Stone fruit Avocados

Watch
The west is experiencing a major gapping problem right now with lemons. This is causing shortages until next week, at least when the first of the Chilean crop arrives. High prices prevail. The iceberg lettuce market remains very active. You will notice salad mixes that incorporate iceberg are up a couple of dollars. Romaine and green leaf are not as affected and are your better bet this week. Tomato yields are off with the continued wet weather.

WATCH
Iceberg Lemons Kale, collards and mustard greens Green beans Idaho potatoes

Keany Produce Company | 3310 75th Avenue | Landover, MD 20785 | 301-772-3333 | FAX: 301-772-3469 Visit us on the web at: www.keanyproduce.com