VEGETABLES
The quality and value or most vegetables is good right now, although heavy rain in some growing areas is having some effect. There have been some issues with Baby Spinach and salad leaves lately due to rain. We are currently trialling smaller / cheaper 100g packs of salad leaves – your feedback is welcome.
Asparagus – Australian season over – currently unavailable
Beans – Hand picked in punnet – excellent quality
Broccoli – Very good quality
Brussels Sprouts – In punnet – excellent quality
Cabbages – Locally grown – very good quality
Capsicums – Queensland season. Very 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, and Romas in particular. Supply and quality of locally grown cherry and grapes are very good
Zucchini – Locally grown – excellent quality and value
FRUIT
Apples – New season Granny Smith have arrived in the market – very good quality however they tend to be quite tart early in the season. We will be buying new season Kanzi this week – fresh off the trees, crisp and juicy, similar to a Fuji but sweeter. The new season for Pink Lady’s is still a few weeks away,
Avocados – Hass are becoming a bit more scarce, and Shepherds are arriving in the market. We will continue with Hass this week, as their quality is more consistent.
Bananas – Very good quality and value
Berries – All varieties are a little scarce and prices are up. 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 – Supply of Lemons is gradually improving. Limes are excellent value
Mandarins – New season will commence around April
Mangoes – QLD season for Kensingrton Pride is over. There are other varieties which we will avoid buying due to inconsistent quality
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 is very good, however prices are up
Pears – New season Packam pears have commenced.- very good flavour and texture. Will need a few days at room temperature to soften
Pineapples – Supply has improved. Quality is very good
Rockmelons – Very good quality and value. Honeydews are also very good
Stonefruit – Season is gradually nearing its end, however quality remains good. This week we will be buying (depending on an availability) : White Peaches, White Nectarines, and Black Plums. Quality and flavour are very good
Strawberries – The Victorian season. Quality is currently very good, market price is above average. 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 – Very good quality and value
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