VEGETABLES
The quality and value or most vegetables is generally good right now, although recent heavy rain in some growing areas (particularly in QLD) has had some effect on supplies for items such as Capsicums and Tomatoes,.
Asparagus – Australian season over – currently unavailable
Beans – Hand picked in punnet – excellent quality
Broccoli – Good supplies. Very good quality
Brussels Sprouts – In punnet – excellent quality
Cabbages – Locally grown – very good quality
Capsicums – Queensland season. Good quality, however supplies have been impacted by rain in QLD.
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. Good quality and value
Corn – Local season – excellent quality and value
Cucumbers – Locally grown. Excellent quality
Lettuce – Supply and quality of baby spinach, roquette, mixed leaf and Iceberg should hopefully be good this week. There has been some issues of late due to excessive rain in growing areas
Potatoes – Very good quality for all varieties
Snowpeas / Sugarsnap – In punnets – excellent quality
Sweet potatoes – Good quality and value
Tomatoes – Rain in QLD has led to a shortage of tomatoes, Supply has improved for locally grown cherry and grapes tomatoes
Zucchini – Locally grown – very good quality
FRUIT
Apples – New season Pink Lady are arriving in the Market – fresh off the trees, crisp and juicy. We are also buying Kanzi and Granny Smith this week, which are excellent quality.
Avocados – Shepherds are finishing up. We are back buying Hass which are very good
Bananas – Very good quality and value
Berries – All varieties are a little scarce and prices are up because of recent rain, especially Blueberries. Quality is very good
Grapes – Green and Crimson seedless grapes are in season – very good quality and value
Kiwifruit – New Zealand season is over for both green and gold. Currently unavailable
Lemons and Limes – Supplies of Lemons and Limes are very good
Mandarins – New season has started – quality and value is very good
Oranges – Valencias are coming to towards the end of their season. Quality is fair, not great. New season Navels will hopefully commence in a few weeks
Passionfruit – Quality and value are very good
Pears – New season Josephine pears have commenced.and seem to be better eating than Packams right now
Pineapples – Quality is very good, however market supply is limited and Market prices remain high
Rockmelons – Excellent flavour
Stonefruit – Season is for Peaches and Nectarines is over. Plums will continue for another few weeks.
Strawberries – The Victorian season. Quality is currently 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 excellent, market price is up
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