VEGETABLES
The quality and value or most vegetables is generally very good right now
Asparagus – Australian season over – currently unavailable
Beans – Hand picked in punnet – excellent quality
Broccoli – Supplies have become limited leading to higher market price. Supplies of Broccolini remain very good for the moment
Brussels Sprouts – In punnet – good quality
Cabbages – Locally grown – very good quality
Capsicums – Excellent supplies from QLD – very good quality and value
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 season – excellent quality – tender
Cucumbers – Locally grown Lebanese cucumbers. Very good quality and supplies are reasonably good for this time of year.Telegraph cucumbers are more expensive than usual
Lettuce – Supply and quality of baby spinach, roquette, mixed leaf and Iceberg is very good.
Potatoes – Very good quality for all varieties
Snowpeas / Sugarsnap – In punnets – excellent quality
Sweet potatoes – Very good quality and value
Tomatoes – Good supplies of locally grown Round, Romas and Cherry Toms
Zucchini – Locally season is over no due to the cold wearther. Very good supplies coming out of QLD
FRUIT
Apples – New season Pink Lady are fresh off the trees, crisp and juicy. We are also buying Kanzi and Granny Smith, which are both excellent quality.
Avocados – Hass are excellent quality and value
Bananas – Very good quality and value
Berries – All varieties are a little scarce and prices are up higher than average. Quality is generally very good
Grapes – Crimson seedless grapes are nearing the end of their seasons, only another week or two remaining
Kiwifruit – New Zealand season has commenced. Excellent quality for both green and gold varieties
Lemons and Limes – Quality of Lemons is very good. The supply for Limes has tightened and market price is up
Mandarins – South Australian Imperials have started and are excellent
Oranges – New season Navels are in full swing – juicy and flavoursome
Passionfruit – Quality and value are very good
Pears – New season Packam pears are excellent
Pineapples – Market supply is limited and Market prices remain high
Rockmelons – Improved supplies last week. Hopefully this will lead to lower prices soon
Stonefruit – Season for Peaches, Plums and Nectarines is over
Strawberries – Queensland season has commenced. Quality is very good and price should hopefully come down over the next few weeks. 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 very good, however market price is higher than average.
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