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, however supplies are reduced due to the cooler weather
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 – Very good supplies of locally grown round 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 – We are buying Hass which are excellent quality and value
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 nearing the end of their seasons – still very good quality
Kiwifruit – New Zealand season has commenced. Price will come down over the coming weeks as supply improves
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. Navels are not quite ready – maybe another week away
Passionfruit – Quality and value are very good
Pears – New season Packam pears are excellent
Pineapples – Quality is very good, however market supply is limited and Market prices remain high
Rockmelons – Excellent flavour
Stonefruit – Season for Peaches, Plums and Nectarines is over
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 very good
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