With the exception of Dates from USA, and Garlic currently from Spain, all produce we deliver is Australian grown, and locally sourced wherever possible.
Local flooding back in March affected quite a few crops. Also heavy rain earlier in the year in QLD delayed the planting of crops such as Strawberries. And for good measure the current cold snap has slowed the growth of local crops such as Cucumbers and Tomatoes. As a result the market prices of quite a few vegetable varieties are higher than usual.
Most fruits, however, are very good quality and value right now, with the exception of berries, which remain expensive.
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 – this is especially true for carrots and broccoli. Most fruits will generally stay fresher in the fridge. However, to maximise flavour, tomatoes should not be refrigerated.
VEGETABLES
Although market prices are a bit higher, quality is excellent for most vegetables varieties right now.
Asparagus – Australian season has finished. Currently imported from South America. We will resume buying around September when the new season commences.
Beans – QLD season is just starting – market price remains a bit higher than average, but will hopefully start to come back over the next few weeks.
Broccoli – Market price is higher. Local crops were affected by heavy rains in March, and there was some heavy heavy rain in Tasmania – which supplies the market with Broccoli at this time of year.
Brussels Sprouts – In season – very good quality and value.
Capsicums – Reds and greens are from QLD now, as the local season has finished. Market price has improved over the last week.
Cauliflower – We are sourcing locally grown from Freeman’s Reach. Market price was a bit higher at the end of last week and is expected to be so for the next few weeks.
Corn – Grown in Hawkesbury region. Quality and value are very good.
Cucumbers – Locally grown. Unfortunately market price is higher again due to some very cold mornings halting their growth.
Ginger – Good supplies of new season ginger.
Lettuce – All salad leaf varieties are very good quality.
Potatoes – New season Desirees are excellent.
Pumpkins – Very good quality and value.
Snowpeas – Locally grown. Very good quality and value.
Tomatoes – Locally grown. Tomatoes generally need warmer weather for their flavour to fully develop, so not at their best during Winter.
Zucchini – Some locally grown still in the market, but most crops are from QLD over Winter.
FRUIT
Apples – New season Pink Lady, Jazz, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith are all excellent. Golden Dels are particularly good eating – crisp and juicy. The season for Ambrosia has finished.
Avocados – We are buying Hass – quality and value are excellent. A bumper crop this year!
Bananas – Market price has risen recently due to colder weather in Far North QLD.
Berries – The QLD season is slowly starting to gain momentum. 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 before eating.
Figs – Season has finished.
Grapes – We are no longer buying grapes as the season has ended. There is a small quantity of Crimson in the Market, however their quality is not great as they have been cold stored.
Kiwifruit – The New Zealand season is starting – very good quality.
Lemons – Australian season in full swing – excellent quality and value.
Limes – Very good value and quality.
Mandarines – The season is switching from QLD to South Australia. Sth Aust fruit tends to have more flavour than the QLD fruit – slightly tighter skin so sometimes not as easy to peel.
Oranges – Navel oranges are in season – very good quality.
Pineapples – Topless pineapples are in season – very good quality and value.
Rockmelons – QLD rockmelons are very good quality and value.
Stonefruit – The season is over. Mangoes will start around September / October.
Pears – We are buying new season Packams – fresh off the trees – nice eating. Corellas are also available.
Watermelon – The supply of seedless has improved as the new season starts to kick in.