VEGETABLES
The supply of some fruits and vegetable varieties has been affected by unseasonal weather conditions in certain growing areas – particularly heavy rain in Southern QLD. Some market prices are higher than average right now.
Asparagus – Australian season. Very good quality
Beans – Hand picked – excellent quality
Broccoli – Very good quality. Market price is up
Brussels Sprouts – In punnet – good quality
Cabbages – Locally grown – very good quality
Capsicums – 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
Corn – Quality is very good, however market price is up
Cucumbers – Locally grown Lebanese cucumbers are plentiful – excellent quality and value
Leeks – In season
Lettuce – Quality of baby spinach, roquette, mixed leaf and Iceberg are all 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 scarcer and more expensive
Zucchini – Locally grown. Excellent quality and value
FRUIT
Apples – Towards the end of the season. We are buying only Pink Lady and Granny Smith now – they remain very good quality.
Avocados – Hass will be relatively scarce and prices higher than usual for at least the next few weeks. This is due to seasonal changes as growing regions change
Bananas – Very good quality. However market price is up – hopefully supply will soon improve with warmer weather up north
Berries – Quality is very good for Blueberries, Blackberries and Raspberries. Blueberries are especially good quality and value
Grapes – The season for Australian grapes is slowly starting. Prices are very high. We will commence buying as soon as supply and prices improve
Kiwifruit – New Zealand season is over. The new season will commence around April next year.
Lemons and Limes – Quality and value of Lemons is very good. The supply of Limes has tightened and market price is up
Mandarins – The season for all varieties is over
Mangoes – Coming out of the Northern Territory currently. Supply is limited and prices are high. Quality is very good. The QLD season is at least a few weeks away. Hopefully there will be good supply of QLD fruit in time for Christmas.
Oranges – Navels are very good quality and value – juicy and flavoursome
Passionfruit – Quality is very good, however supply is 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 – We are going to wait one more week before commencing. Nectarines are Peaches are in the market, however flavour is not quite there and prices are still very high.
Strawberries – Victorian 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 very good, however supply is low and market price is higher than average. Large sized fruit
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