Arriving Today from Spring Valley Farms in West Virginia Imagine the fresh picked flavor of red, yellow

and orange peppers, filet green beans, mixed beets, squash blossoms and baby squash from close-in West Virginia. Picked, packed and shipped the same day!

market marketnotes notes

produce market report September 17, 2013

Local Corner
We are in a transition period for local produce but the big bonus right now is the bargain prices to be had on zucchini and yellow squash. The crazy summer weather necessitated multiple plantings and the latest ones are yielding in several locations. We are getting large quantities of beautiful yellow squash from Parker Farms with excellent pricing! Along with the good news on local squash, we now have those delicate, edible flowers which grace the best tables either fried or steamed and stuffed squash blossoms. The local situation is also good for butternut squash which is showing up on lots of menus now. Cabbage is very active and prices have shot up. Good news! Local pumpkins have just started! Bear Mountain Orchards of Aspers, PA has just begun red pear harvests. Weather has been optimal and a great pear season is expected. We have good quantities of local cucumbers coming out of Amish farms in Pennsylvania as well as a nice NY harvest. Lois Farms are sending nice elephant garlic and this is moving fast. Kitchen chopping is more efficient and flavor is great! This is the last couple of weeks for local peaches and nectarines but the local apple harvest is just beginning. Stay tuned, we should have them here later this week. Spring Valley Farms in West Virginia are sending gorgeous filet beans in 5 Lb. packs, most similar to a French Bean. Take advantage of their just picked goodness.

Local
Yellow squash and zucchini Squash blossoms Butternut squash Eggplant Fillet Beans Peppers Peaches and nectarines Apples Green beans Pumpkins

Keep in Mind:

Keep in Mind
Broccoli and broccoli crowns Cauliflower Romaine, red leaf and Boston Lettuce Idaho potatoes Asparagus Honeydews and cantaloupes Asparagus Small oranges Persimmons, pomegranates and figs

New crop Idaho Raspberries are the best berry potatoes are in choice this week with steady pricwith pricing coming on the deparatively low. cline. Protective hoops under which these Honeydew melons have bushes thrive have remained steady but cantacreated a barrier to loupe is up. We are still the weather for these delicate pulling from fruits and supply is plentiful. the high quality west Broccoli and side but the broccoli crowns transition to are steady right the Mid Coast and southern now and cauliCalifornia is on for melons. flower is finally priced reasonably. Dont forget Crenshaws, Casabas and orange Romaine, red leaf and Bosflesh honeydews. ton lettuce have conPersimmons sistent availaand pomebility and pricgranates are ing but icehere and so berg and are gorgeous green leaf remain high. black mission figs. Small size Valencia oranges are commanding a premium as they are in high demand from schools and universities. Asparagus, in all sizes has finally dropped down in price from Peru with great quality. Avocados have seen a noticeable jump since last week. California has finished and Mexico has had a ton of rain. This is a very tight market. Brussels sprouts are here but very expensive. Artichokes are expensive since they are only cut once a week now with a fairly low yield on each plant.

Watch
Lemons remain extremely tightit is actually the tightest lemon market we have seen in 35 years in business. The Oxnard area is virtually out and the desert lemons have not started, The outlook is two more weeks until the fruit is ripe in Arizona. The story is the same as last week for the strawberry market . The difficult growing conditions have led to a super high pricing situation. There are no stem berries available. Leeks are high, but good taste.

WATCH
Lemons Strawberries Avocados Artichokes Brussels sprouts

Keany Produce Company | 3310 75th Avenue | Landover, MD 20785 | 301-772-3333 | FAX: 301-772-3469 Visit us on the web at: www.keanyproduce.com