Blueberries, cherries, apples, apricots and peaches

Apples are finally now in good supply – and we will see the first of the earliest B.C. crop this week with Vistas and Lodi “dessert” apples.  We are just about done on our Fair Trade avocado program, with new crop Fair Trade Mexican fruit 3 weeks away.

Oh, we’re buzzing with local activity on fruit now, with a bounty of berries, cherries and early cots and peaches.  Speaking of cherries – prices have come off significantly with most early and mid-season ripening at the same time, and watch for Sproule’s sensational Rainiers due in Wednesday.  We’re having to watch the weather, with the 3^rd wave of severe thunderstorms in as many weeks once again pounding through all Interior valleys today, so some weekend harvesting may be delayed, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for all the growers in those areas.  The green veg market is pretty stable, with enough producers in the market that there aren’t many bumpy patches.  You’ll always have to watch lists carefully this time of year, as smaller farms tend to pack weights and sizes in direct relationship to the boxes they have kicking around, and not necessarily standard industry packs.  Takes a bit longer to cobble together your weekly plan, but also nice to share a growing level of local produce every year – 15 years ago the selection was tiny compared to what’s available now.  Yes, it’s July and we have about 1 week left of PEI storage yellow potatoes – wonders will never cease!  With zucchini splurting out of the ground across the continent, California growers are all dumping price quickly.  A few cool days coming up won’t help bring on much local volume, and may slow a few other items as well.