Market Report

Asparagus

Mexican harvest begins within the next week or two.

Beans/Peas

We are currently stocking a nice variety of local beans from South Florida. The lineup includes tender, fresh Romano and Purple Beans in 10 lb cs size from Blumenberry Farms in Sarasota FL. Green beans are coming from Homestead Organic Farm in Homestead, Florida. We are receiving promotable amounts of these beans 2-3 times weekly. Order these from your Salesperson today. Sugar Snap and Snow Peas are inbound from both Peru and Mexico, available volumes are increasing with our next shipment expected Wednesday afternoon. Pricing is stable and quality is good.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Local broccoli in promotable amounts on both Crowns and 14 ct is available from Cottle Organics in Rose Hill, NC. 14 ct Broccoli is also available from Watsonia Farms in Moneta, SC. Broccoli from CA is beginning to stabilize as product begins harvesting from Coachella Valley and Oxnard. Prices beginning to decline and quality has been good. Cauliflower is currently coming from Cal Organic Farms and Lakeside Organic Gardens. Quality has been good, with some limited availability on 12 cts. Special pricing will be available on 16 ct cs size. Sweet Baby Broccoli will be available in 18 and 24 ct cs size both from CA.

Cabbage, Celery and Bok Choys

Bok and Baby Bok Choy, grown locally, are currently available from Lady Moon Farms. Green Cabbage is currently from WI with NC ,arriving end of week. We expect to have primarily Florida product on this item by the beginning of next week. Red Cabbage availability continues to improve. Currently we are carrying product from Bryson Farm in South Florida with a few remaining from Organic Valley in WI quality on all has been good (deep color/uniform in size). Napa Cabbage will from Organic Country Farm in St. Cloud, Florida (arriving Thursday) & Savoy Cabbage is from CA. We have Bryson Farms, 24 & 30 ct. celery in limited amounts. With good color and outstanding flavor, the local lineup this week will please any localvore in your store. Celery from CA is available, prices are declining (slowly) and availability is expected to be good. Celery Hearts from Pacific Ridge Farms in Oxnard, CA are available. Brussels sprouts should remain available throughout January and into February.

Cucumbers, Peppers, and Eggplant

Cucumbers have tightened significantly. There is little product available and we apologize for the inconvenience. The issue is connected to a leaf disease. The leaf is unable to process sunlight into food and the plant does not produce. Prices on available product continue to rise sharply. Eggplant is being received in good condition from multiple local growers in Florida with a few incoming from Wholesome Family Farms in Nogales, AZ. Red/Yellow and Orange Pepper are currently coming from Israel in a convenient 11 lb cs size and the quality has been good. We are also stocking MX Red Pepper in the same 11 lb cs size. The quality is also good, with a slightly smaller pepper. Mini Sweet Peppers are more readily available and will be arriving throughout the week from Florida and possibly, Mexico. Available amounts are expected to increase throughout December. Jalapeno from MX landing 2-3 times weekly.

carrots and beets Carrots, Beets, Radishes & Root Vegetables

24 count bunched carrots are available in abundance, super sweet heirloom Nantes from Oxnard and orange with tops from both Lakeside Gardens and Cal-O are also available. Rainbow Carrots from Cal Organic are also available with additional product arriving end of week. Red beet availability has improved; quality is good, with fresh incoming from Lady Moon in South Florida. Gold beets remain tight but are also coming from Lady Moon so we may see a few cases of these throughout the week. Radishes are tight, a few Easter Egg are available with Red varieties expected Thursday from Lakeside Organic Farms. Other root vegetables include 25# Parsnip, Rutabaga, Turnips from North Carolina and Local Daikon Radish from Bellevue Gardens in Archer, Florida, Parsley root (10 lb) and Celery Root (25# size/no tops).

Herbs

Flat and Curley Parsley is available from Lady Moon FL and CA growers. Cilantro is available from multiple growers in CA. Fennel from CA/COF incoming Thursday. Ginger is primarily coming from Peru. Hawaiian Ginger and Turmeric are available in convenient 5lb cs sizes. Lemongrass from Blumenberry Farms and Curry Leaf from Homestead, Fl are local and currently available. Basil in 1 lb bags and 3x2/3 oz clamshell are available along with other assorted herbs. Check our pricelist for details and preorder with your Sales Associate.

Leafy Greens and Lettuces

Collards, Chards (all colors), Green/Red & Lacinato Kales will be primarily local this and next week, from Lady Moon Farms in Punta Gorda and Bryson Farms also in South FL. We are expecting limited amounts of bunched Collards and Green Kale from Cottle Organic Farms in Rose Hill, North Carolina and Watsonia Farms in Moneta, SC this and next week. Romaine has transitioned to Lady Moon. Expect limited amounts from COF. Red and Green Leaf lettuce will be in good supply. Other available items in this category will include the following (all in limited amounts); Escarole, Frissee and Endive, Red & Green Butter Lettuce (Cal-O), Radicchio and Treviso and Iceberg Lettuces.

Potatoes and Onions

Russet 10x5#s are from Idaho. 60 & 80 ct Russets are from OR. We also have Red/Yellow and Purple along with assorted bulk fingerlings. These include Russian Banana, French Fingerling, Klamath Pearl and a mixed medley of Heirloom Fingerling Potatoes, all available in 16x1.5 lb cases size and 24 lb bulk packs. Onions currently in house include Yellow/Red and White varieties from Peri & Sons Farms. There are also limited amounts of Pearl Boiler onions in various colors and pack sizes. Sweet Onions from Utah are here (40# Jbo). 18x2 lb Sweet Onion is currently from Peru. NC Covington Sweet Potatoes, CA Garnet and Jewel varieties are available in various case sizes.

Summer/Winter Squash

Local Yellow Squash & Zucchini is and will remain tight. Availability may increase by the end of next week. Expect to see MX and FL squashes. Winter squash are available. Acorn, Butternut and Spaghetti Squash from both CA & MX are available along with smaller amounts of Carnival, Kabocha and Delicata.

Tomatoes

FL tomato season is underway and we are currently receiving 2 layer boxes of Red Round Tomatoes. These and Grape Tomatoes are expected throughout this and next week in promotable volumes from Lady Moon. Cherry and mini Heirloom varieties are expected to be available in more limited quantities. Roma Tomatoes are available from USA and MX along with a few Lady Moon Gold Romas (preorders recommended). TOV are currently from both Cal Organic Farms (limited) and Wholesome Family Farms in Mexico (promotable amounts).

Apples and Pears

Apples from Washington continue to be in good supply. Pricing is higher on Gala this year but the 113ct are a good buy. Other promotable varieties this week include Gold Delicious and Cameo 12x3lb bags. We still have Arkansas Black and the Crimson Gold Apples from Cuyama Orchards in California but are in limited supply. Pears this week include Green & Red Anjou, Asian, Bosc, and Concorde. Look for deals on Anjou bags towards the weekend.

Berries/Cherries/Grapes

FL Strawberry production continues to increase and quality is great! Both 8oz and 1lb containers are available from our exclusive grower Jordan Farms as well as Strawberry Passion Farms. 12x6oz Blueberries from Chile are extremely promotable with great quality and price. Blackberries from Mexico are in steady supply and eat very well. MX Raspberries are in better supply this week with good quality but price is still up. Chilean Bing Cherries will be done this week. South African grapes should be available within the next month or so.

Citrus

Local, Florida citrus continues to offer good variety and quality. From Spooner Organics we have beautiful, deep Red Grapefruit. Pressley Groves has Navel Oranges and White Grapefruit available in both fancy and choice grades. From Uncle Matt's there are Cara Cara Navels, Hamlin Oranges, Orlando Tangelos, Sunburst Tangerines and some Navel bags. CA Lemon pricing is dropping and finally reaching a consistent level. Also from CA we have: Satsuma Mandarins from Twin Girls Farms and Rucker, Lemons from Sundance and Navel Oranges from Tomorrow's Organics. New this week: Biodynamic Meyer Lemons from Marian Farms. Meyer's are known for a sweeter flesh and their rinds are great for baking and zesting.

Melons

Quality and supply has been decreasing and vendors are keeping most of what is available in MX/CA.

Pomegranates and Persimmons

Pomegranates are available in a 30/32ct two layer case. Both Hachiya and Fuyu Persimmons are available this week from CA but look for these items to start to tighten up within the next few weeks.

Tropicals

Both Tommy Atkins and Ataulfo Mangoes are here and incoming from Ecuador. 7ct Gold Pineapple is available from Costa Rica. Papayas are incoming from Hawaii as well as Ginger and Turmeric Root. MX Haas Avocados are available in 48 & 60ct; price is up slightly and should remain strong through the Super Bowl. FL Avocados are limited, but we do have Aloe, Eggfruit, Starfruit, Monstera, Black Sapote and Sugar Cane from FL.

New & Incoming Items

Romano Beans (FL) *Blumenberry Farms*
Snap and Snow Peas (Peru)
Biodynamic Meyer Lemons (CA)
Turmeric Root (HI)

12/30/11