VEGETABLES
The quality and value of most vegetable varieties is generally very good right now
Asparagus – Australian season has started. However market price is still very high. It typically drops very quickly. We will wait until then
Beans – Hand picked – excellent quality
Broccoli – Locally grown. Very good quality and value
Brussels Sprouts – In punnet – good quality
Cabbages – Locally grown – very good quality
Capsicums – Very good quality
Carrots – Premium quality, tender and sweet. It’s always best to store carrots in a plastic bag or tupperware, to prevent them from drying out and turning limp.
Caulitflower – Victorian season. Very good quality and value
Corn – QLD corn is very good quality
Cucumbers – Locally grown Lebanese cucumbers are very good quality. Market price is a bit higher than average but will improve as the weather becomes warner.
Leeks – In season
Lettuce – Quality of baby spinach, roquette, mixed leaf and Iceberg is very good.
Potatoes – Very good quality for all varieties
Snowpeas / Sugarsnap – Locally grown – excellent quality and value
Sweet potatoes – Very good quality and value
Tomatoes – Good supplies of locally grown Round and Cherry Toms. Romas are more expensive
Zucchini – QLD season is coming to an end. Market price will be higher for the next few eeeks until the local season starts
FRUIT
Apples -Supply has been down this season due to unfavourable weather conditions earlier in the year. Therefore market prices have been higher than usual. Pink Lady remain very good quality. We are also buying Gala and Granny Smith, which are also very good
Avocados – Hass will be relatively scarce and prices higher than usual for the next few weeks. This is due to seasonal changes as growing regions change
Bananas – Very good quality
Berries – Quality is very good for Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries
Grapes – The season for Australian grapes is over, with the new season due to commence around December.
Kiwifruit – New Zealand season coming towards an end and market price has gone up in the last week. Quality remains good for both green and gold varieties,
Lemons and Limes – Quality and value of Lemons is excellent. The supply of Limes has tightened and market price is up
Mandarins – The season for Imperials has finished. Afourers are very good quality – juicy, flavoursome with very few seeds, if any
Oranges – Navels are very good quality and value – juicy and flavoursome
Passionfruit – Quality is very good, however a little scare and market price is up
Pears – Packam pears are very good quality.
Pineapples – Market supply has improved . Very good quality
Rockmelons – Very good quality
Stonefruit – The first trickles of mangoes are coming into the market. Still early and we should commence buying early October
Strawberries – Queensland season. Quality and value are very good. The best way to extend the life of berries is to remove them from their punnet and place on paper towel in the fridge. Only wash them just prior to eating.
Watermelon – New season has commenced. Quality is generally very good, however supply is low and market price is high. Generally, at the moment the fruit wth the most consistent quality is larger in size, so we will be buying larger fruit this coming week
When unpacking your produce, it should be handled as carefully as possible to minimise damage and bruising. Vegetables will store best in plastic bags or tupperware to prevent them from drying out in the fridge – especially for carrots and broccoli. Most fruits will generally stay fresher in the fridge. To maximise flavour, tomatoes should not be refrigerated