. . . market outlook

WWW.PRODUCEEXPRESS.NET                                                                            July 29, 2010

Del Rio Mixed Cucumbers

   The hot days of summer are the best time to use and enjoy cucumbers.  Mild in flavor, cool, crisp and crunchy, cucumbers are an essential ingredient in summer salads and used in chilled soups, sandwiches and pickled for condiments.  We are most familiar with the dark green American slicing cucumber; however, there are other varieties, several of which are seasonal at this time of year, that serve to enhance the overall appeal of this particular vegetable.  Del Rio Botanicals offers a mixed case of 4-5 varieties:

Italian Cucumber-dark green, thin skin with distinctive ridge running the length of the cucumber.  These cucumbers are relatively small-3” to 5”-with a light green flesh, crunchy and juicy, but not watery.

Mediterranean Cucumbers-Several types of small oval or egg shaped cucumbers.  Citrone and Moscone are the more common varieties, varying in color from light to dark green, edible skin and crunchy flesh.

Lemon Cucumber-Another small oval type, so named for its resemblance to a lemon and its slight citrus flavor.  The larger seed cavity makes this variety somewhat watery.

Armenian Cucumber-A true summer variety, these cucumbers are also known as Snake Melons-botanically they are more closely related to a melon than a cucumber.  Armenian cucumbers are pale green in color, slender with ridged skin and crunchy flesh.  As they grow, they develop a significant curve shape (thus the snake reference).  The flesh is distinctively sweet with a mild, citric flavor.  The season is short, so we suggest that you try them now.  Available in the mixed box and as a single variety.

 

Del Rio Botanical Mixed Cucumbers-10#-$13.75

Del Rio Armenian Cucumbers-10#-$13.75

 

 

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

F.D.A. RECALLS:    None

F.D.A. WARNINGS:     None

Seasonal Favorites

Here is a line up of local and seasonal fruits and vegetables-

Peaches- Twin Peaks / JJ Ramos

White Peaches- Twin Peaks/ JJ Ramos

Nectarines- Twin Peaks/ JJ Ramos

White Nectarines- Twin Peaks/ JJ Ramos

Plouts / Plums- JJ Ramos

Heirloom Tomato- Ray Yeung Farms

True Vine Tomato- Ray Yueng Farms

True Vine Roma Tomato- Ray Yeung

Mixed Medley Cherry Toamto- Del Rio

Blackberries- Rich Collins

Toy Box Squash- Del Rio

Baby Mixed Squash- Del Rio

Rondenice Squash- Castaneda

Summer Squash- Castaneda

Sunburst Squash- Castaneda

Gold Bar Squash- Castaneda

Squash Blossoms- Del Rio

White Corn- Dwelley Farms

Yellow Corn- Dwelley Farms

Baby Corn- Del Rio

Cucumbers- Del Rio

Tomatillo- Castaneda

Milpero- Castaneda

Jalapeno- Castaneda

Lemon Verbena- Del Rio

Arugula- Del Rio

Arugula Rapini- Del Rio

Lavender- Del Rio

Enjoy the harvest!!

 
 

 

Del Rio Botanical 
Often referred to as “the Produce Express farm”, Del Rio is a year round supplier of organic produce
exclusively to our company. Suzanne Ashworth plants an extensive variety of well known and heirloom crops. Daily delivery from Del Rio creates a true farm to restaurant approach with product going from field to table overnight. 
 
 Farm Owner-Suzanne Ashworth            Began Farming-1996          Location-Elkhorn, Yolo County    
Crops-lettuces, greens, tomatoes, and herbs.   Farm Size-78 acres             
Website-delriobotanical.org  

APPLES

Red (Wa)- low $30’s*    Granny (Ca)- low $30’s*        Golden (Wa)- mid $30’s*    Gala(Nz)- low $40’s* 

Fuji(WA)- mid $30’s*     Pink Lady- low $40’s*            Honey Crisp- N/A               Gravenstein- N/A

Pippens- N/A                   Braeburn- mid $30’s                Crab Lady- N/A                  Crab Hyslop- N/A

AVOCADO-

California 60 count- mid $30’s*      California 48 count- high $30’s*

BANANA-

Banana- low $20’s*                         Plantain- mid $30’s              Petites- limited

BERRIES-

Strawberries (Ca.)- low teens*         Stemberries- high teens                       Raspberry (Ca.)- mid $20’s* 

Blackberries- low $20’s*                 Blueberry(Ca) – low $20’s*                Fresh Cranberries- N/A

Frozen Cranberries                           Frozen Huckleberries                          Gold Raspberries- pre-order

CITRUS-

Grapefruit (Tx)- low $20’s               Lemons- mid $30’s*                         Limes- mid teens*        

Oranges- mid teens*                         Kumquats- mid $40’s                       Meyer Lemons 10#- limited    

Juice Orange- mid teens                   Satsuma- N/A                                    Key Limes- low $20’s

3 pound Clementine’s imported from Chile.    

FIGS-

Black Mission- gapping                   Brown Figs- high $20’s                   @Del Rio Black (40ct.)- N/A

Black mission figs will be gapping until early August.

GRAPES-

Red Seedless(Ca)- low $20’s*         Green Seedless(Ca)- mid $20’s*      Black Grapes(Ca.)- mid $20’s

MELONS-

Cantaloupe- mid teens*                   Honeydew- low teens                        Seedless Watermelon(Ca)- $5/$6*

Casaba- $17.75                                Crenshaw- $17.75                              Sharlyn- $17.75

Santa Claus- $17.75                         Juan Canary- $17.75                         Galia- $17.75

Mixed melons are available by the case only $17.75.

PEARS-

@Bartletts- mid $30’s                     @Bosc- early Aug.              @Red- mid $20’s        D’Anjou- mid $30’s

@French Butter- mid Aug.             @Comice- mid Aug.            @Seckle- mid Aug.    Asian- mid teens

Local grower Stillwater Orchards are now supping Bartletts and Red Crimson pears.

STONE FRUIT-

Apricots- high $20’s*               Cherries- high $20’s                     @Nectarines- mid $20’s*

@Peaches- mid $20’s*             @White Peaches- mid $20’s*      @White Nectarines- mid $20’s*

@Red Plums- high $20’s         @Black Plums- high $20’s           @Pluots- mid $20’s

Rainier cherries have finished for the season; bings will finish in a couple of weeks.

TROPICAL-

Pineapple- high teens↑             Kiwi- low teens          Mango- $7/$8*              Papaya- low $20’s*

Mexican Papaya- low $20’s    Starfruit- N/A              Coconut- mid $20’s      Green Thai Papaya- high $20’s

Pineapple market is up slightly. No starfruit until September.  

DRIED FRUIT-

Apples   Cranberries   Pineapple    Raisins    Golden Raisins   Cherries    Pears        Apricots

Mango   Black Figs    Blueberries  Peaches   Mixed Berries     Papayas   Currants   Nectarines

JUICE-

Orange             Lemon             Lime                Grapefruit                    Carrot              Apple

@PUREE’- (Frozen) PERFECT PUREE’ FROM NAPA VALLEY

Raspberry*       Blueberry           White Peach      Blood Orange     Kiwi       Mango      Coconut       

Pomegranate    Lychee Nut      Strawberry       Passion Fruit    Guava    Cherry       Key Lime                       

Blackberry       Papaya             Meyer lemon   Lemon Zest      Apple      Pear         Lime Zest

Pineapple          Citrus                 Tangerine         Mixed Berry       Cocoa      Mojito      Sweet & Sour

El Corazon        Apricot              Rum Runner     Passion Colada   Yuzu Luxe Sour       Tamarind

Red Sangria      Black Currant    Orange Zest      White Sangria     Caramelized Pineapple Concentrate

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

ARTICHOKES-

18’s- high $30’s*         24’s- mid $30’s*               30’s- mid $20’s*                

36’s- low $20’s*          48’s- low $20’s*               Baby’s- low $30’s

30, 36 and 48 counts are the best value. Larger artichokes are very expensive, we are subbing seeded variety.

ASPARAGUS-

11# Large- high $40’s↑   11# Standard- high $40’s↑   11# Pencil- high $40’s↑     White 11#- low $30’s

Peruvian asparagus is short in supply due to cool weather and tropical storms, market is very strong  

BEANS-

@Bluelake- mid $20’s               @Baby French- low $20’s                  @Yellow Wax- low $20’s  

@Fava Beans 25#- high $30’s↑    Chinese Long- mid $20’s                    @Romano 15#- $24.75

Cannelini Beans 15#- N/A            Cranberry Beans 15#- $25.75              Garbonzo Beans 15#- low $40’s

Dwelley Farms will be gapping on all beans; we will be using other growers from the Salinas Valley.  

BROCCOLI-

Broccoli 18’s- low teens*             Broccoli Crowns- low teens*              Broccoli Rabe- high teens*

Broccolini- high $20’s

CABBAGE-

Green- low teens*                         Red- mid teens*                                      Napa- mid teens*                  

Bok Coy- mid teens*                    Baby Bok Coy 10#- mid teens               Savoy- low $30’s*

CARROTS-

Jumbo Carrots- $10/$12               Clip top Carrot- high teens                Iced Bunched- high teens*

Peeled Mini Carrot- low $30’s*       Baby Bunch- low $20’s*              Baby Mixed Carrot- mid $20’s*

Peeled Baby Carrots- high teens*

CAULIFLOWER-

Cauliflower- mid teens*                 Broccoflower- low $20’s*                 Carnival- (6ct.)- mid teens*

CELERY-

Celery- mid teens*                         Celery Root- improving                     Celery Hearts- mid $20’s*

CHILIES-

@Jalapeno 40#- low $20’s*         Long Green 25#- mid $20’s*             Pascilla 25#- low $20’s*

Serrano 10#- low teens*               @Tomatillo 40#- low $20’s              Yellow Wax 10#- mid teens*

Habanero 10#- mid $50’s↓           Red Fresno 10#- mid $20’s*              Thai Chile- $$$

Jalapeno’s and tomatillo’s are now arriving from Castaneda Farms, Solano County.

CORN-

Yellow- mid teens                         White- mid teens                              @Baby Corn (50 count)- $13.75

Brentwood corn is at peak season.

CUCUMBER-

Cucumber- mid teens*                  English- mid teens*                        Pickling 25#- low $20’s*

@Lemon 10#- $13.75                          Persian- low $20’s*                       @Armenian 10#- $13.75

EGGPLANT-

Eggplant 18’s- high teens↓               Japanese 10#- mid teens↓                 Chinese 10#- low $20’s↑

Eggplant market is finally improving as northern and southern regions are both harvesting.

GARLIC / SHALLOTS-          

X-jumbo- mid $50’s*                        Super Colossal- mid $60’s*               Peeled Garlic- steady

Elephant 10#- high $30’s                  Whole Shallots- steady                       Peeled Shallots- steady      

Cippoline- mid $20”s                       @ Spring Garlic- done                        Black Garlic

Spring garlic is finished for the season.

GREEN ONIONS-

Green onions- mid teens↑                 Mexican Spring Onion- mid teens*    Red Spring Onion- N/A

 

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

GREENS-

Mustard- low teens                Collard- mid teens                                     @Red Chard- high teens     

Leeks- mid teens                      @Green Chard- high teens                        @Dino Kale- high teens

Green Kale- mid teens             @Rainbow Chard- low $20’s                    Cello Flowering Kale- high teens

HERBS-

Basil                             Baby Arugula             Arugula                        Chives             Cilantro          

Baby Dill                      Oregano                      Italian Parsley              Mint                   Thyme                   Parsley                           Rosemary                       Tarragon                   Watercress          Sage

Chervil                           Opal Basil                 Thai Basil                       Sorrel                  Savory

Mint tips                      Hydro Watercress

LETTUCE-

Iceberg- mid teens                         Green Leaf- low teens*                  Red Leaf- low teens*             

Romaine Hearts- mid teens*         Garden Hearts- low $20’s*             Hearts of Romaine- low $20’s*      Butter- mid teens*                         Romaine- low teens*                      Hydro Butter- (12 ct.)- low $20’s*

Iceberg market is improving, as well as quality and size.  

MUSHROOMS-

Domestic- steady          Shitake- steady                      Oyster- steady                Crimini- steady

Portabella- steady         Chanterelle- high teens          Hedgehog- N/A             Morels- N/A

Porcini- N/A                 Chef Sampler- high $40’s     Enoki- steady                 Black Chanterelle- N/A

Chanterelles are starting domestically, market is in the high teens to low $20’s, morels and porcini’s are done. Shitakes are extremely limited due to import issues from Asian markets.

ONION-

Yellow Onion- high teens*           Red Onion (Ca.)- high teens*        White Onion- mid $20’s↓         

Sweet Onion-10# mid teens          Pearl Onion- steady                       Torpedo 40#- mid $20’s

Walla Walla sweet onions sold by the 10# or 40# case. The market is improving on California grown yellow, white and red onions.

PEAS-

Sno Peas- low $20’s*                    Snap Peas- high teens                  @English Peas(Ca.)- mid $40’s↑

PEPPERS-

Green Bells- high teens↓               Red Bells- mid $20’s↓                 Gold Bells- low $30’s↓

Bell pepper market is starting to improve.

POTATO / SWEET POTATO-

Russet- high teens*                                  Kennebec- high teens                            Red Potato- steady

White Potato- steady                                Yukon Potato- stdy                         Purple- high $30’s               

Fingerling Gold- high $20’s                      Fingerling Red- low $30’s              @Yellow Finn- N/A            

@ German Butterball                                Sweet Potato- mid $20’s                  Yams- low $20’s

Larger russets are up slightly in the high teens. Red, white and gold potatoes are California new crop.

RADISH-

Bunched Radish- mid teens*                      Daikon- high teens*                             Jicama- mid teens*

ROOT VEGETABLE-

Turnips- mid teens                       Rutabagas- low $30’s↑               Parsnips- mid $20’s

Red Beets 25#- mid teens         Gold Beets 25#- high $20’s*     Chioga beets 25#- high $20’s

Horseradish- steady                     Ginger- low $30’s                 Sunchokes 10#- N/A

SPINACH-

Bunched- high teens*                    Cello- steady                        Baby- steady         

Bloomsdale- low $20’s                 Tatsoi- high teens

Riverdog Bloomsdale burned in the heat wave; we are using Salinas growers to fill the void.

Spinach quality and quantity are affected by overcast and cool temperatures in Salinas Valley.

 

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

 SQUASH-

@Italian Squash- mid teens       @Yellow Squash- high teens             @Grey Squash- high teens

@Gold Bar Squash- high teens     @Summer Squash- low $20’s            Sunburst Squash- low $20’s

Ronde Nice squash is available in green, gold and grey. We are now packing toy box squash, 20# case $20.75.

TOMATOES-

Large Loose- high teens*              5x6- high teens*                          5x5- high teens*                            

4x5- low $20’s*                            #2 Tomato- $10/$11*                  Roma- high teens*  

#2 Roma- $10/$11*                      Red Cluster- low teens*               Yellow Cluster- low $30’s*        

Orange Cluster- low $30’s*          Cherry Tomato- high teens*        Red Grape 10#- low $20’s         

Mixed Medley- $29.75                 @True Vine 20#- $19.75             True Vine Roma 20#- $15.75

Del Rio cherry tomatoes are plentiful. Yeung Farms heirlooms are available in toy box or single variety $20.75.

WINTER SQUASH-

Butternut Squash- high $20’s*           Acorn Squash- low $30’s                Spaghetti Squash- low $30’s

Banana Squash-                                  Kabocha Squash- low $20’s            Red Kabocha- N/A

Delicata Squash- N/A                         Dumpling Squash- N/A                   Del Rio Squash- N/A

SPRING MIXES-

Spring Mix-                                   Lettuce Only 7 way-                      Del Rio Salad Mix-          

Organic Spring Mix-                    Organic lettuce Only-

BABY LETTUCES-

Mixed Baby Lettuce-          Lola Rosa-                Baby Romaine-                Red Oak-

Baby Red Romaine-            Mache-                     Green Oak-                       Lil Gem-

CHICORIES & GREENS-

Radicchio-                                         Frisee’-                                            @Belgian Endive-   

@Red Belgian Endive-                    @Mixed Belgian Endive-                 Travisio-

@Braising Mix-                                Mizuna-                                            @Del Rio Arugula

BABY GREENS-

@Baby Red Chard-                          @Baby Red Mustard-                       @Baby Gold Chard-

MICRO GREENS-

Arugula-                   Basil-                  Cilantro-                  Rainbow Mix-                    Bull Blood-

Mache-                     Mizuna-              Wasabi-                   Mint Lavender-                  Radish-

Chervil-                    Asian Mix-         Celery-                    Intensity Mix-                     Italian Mix-

BABY VEGETABLES-

Red Beets-               Leeks-            Italian Squash-                    Yellow Squash-        

Gold Beets-             Fennel-           Summer Squash-                 Sunburst Squash-      

Chioga Beets-         Turnips-          Mixed Squash-                    Radishes-               

@Baby Corn- $13.75                    @Del Rio Baby Mixed Squash- $25.75      

EDIBLE FLOWERS-             

Mixed-                          Pansies-                Roses- limited                   Orchids 100 ct.-       Violas-

Nasturtiums-                @Confetti-           @Rose Petals-                    @Squash Blossoms-

Del Rio squash blossoms are beautiful.

LEAVES-

Green Ti-                      Red Ti-                  Palm-                      Leather Leaf-         Bay-

Banana (frozen)-          @Avocado-           Kiefer Lime-           Babies Breath-      

SEASONAL-

@Fava Greens- done    @Lambs Sorrel       @Lemon Verbena      @Pineapple Mint

@French Sorrel            @Arugula Rapini    @Lemon Balm           @Chocolate Mint                           

Rhubarb- high $30’s     @Grape Leaves      @Fig Leaves   

 

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

CHEESES-

Cheddar                   Jack              Mozzarella       Fresh Mozzarella     Pepper Jack         Buratta         

Parmesan                 Cotija           Feta                  Mascarpone              Swiss                  Brie

Queso   Fresco         Ricotta         Goat                 Jack/Cheddar Mix    Blue Cheese        Cottage

White Cheddar        Dry Jack       Gruyere           Point Ryes Blue        Sharp Cheddar    Parmesano Reggiano              

DAIRY-

@Manufacturing Cream                  @Half & Half                 @Buttermilk               @Whole Milk         

@Sour Cream                                  @Yogurt (Plain)             @Whipping Cream     @2% Low Fat Milk

@Unsalted Butter                           @Butter With Salt

EGGS- 

Large↑                      Xlarge↑                  Medium↑                    Large Cartons↑

Liquid                       Hard Boiled           Egg Whites                 Organic

DRIED BEANS- 

Cannelini                  Cranberry              Green Flageot             Marrow             

@Fava                      @Early Lady          Pinto                          Small Red       

Black                         Small White          Garbonzo                   @Jade Pearl

LENTILS-

French Green            Black Beluga         Golden                       Crimson

RICE-          

Arborio                     Carnaroli                Basmati                      Jasmine           Long Grain

Wild                          Chinese Black        Purple Sticky             Himalayan Red

GRAINS-

Barley                       Couscous               Bulghar Wheat           Polenta             Quinoa      Spelt

SPICES-

Peppercorns               Chile Flakes           Oregano                      Fennel Seeds

Mustard Seed             Sesame Seeds         Paprika                       Cinnamon

Cayenne Pepper         Cinnamon Sticks    Cumin                        All Spice

N. M. Chile Powder   Vanilla                   Vanilla Extract          Vanilla Puree’

OILS-

@California Pure Olive    @Extra Virgin Olive        Rice          Canola

@VINEGARS-       

 White Wine                Red Wine               Cabernet                     Champagne        Pear

 Zinfandel                    Apple Cider            Dark Balsamic           Golden Balsamic

NUTS-                     

Pine Nuts                     Walnut Meat          Cashews                    Almonds        Pistachio

Pecans                          Pepitas                   Macadamias              Hazelnuts       Chestnuts

TORTILLAS-

@Flour 6”/ 8”/10”/12”        6” Corn              @Sonora Corn              6” Thin Corn

@Flavored (Tomato/Basil, Spinach/Onion, Variety Pack)

WOOD-   

Hickory Chips             Apple Chips            Mesquite Chips         Cherry Chips

Mesquite                      Apple                      Walnut                       Kindling

Mesquite Charcoal   

FROZEN PRODUCT-

Strawberries                 Blackberries            Blueberries              Raspberries

Peaches                        Mixed Berries         Boysenberries          Cherries

Spinach                        Green Beans            Edamame                Corn

Peas                              Onion Rings            3/8” Fries                Steak Fries

Shoestring Fries           Curly Fries              Egg Whites

DiNAPOLI CANNED TOMATOES-

San Marzano-               Peeled & Ground-    Fire Roasted-          Marinara-

Sauce-                           Diced-                       Paste-                     Puree’-

* Market steady    ↑ Market up    ↓ Market down   @ Local Farms

 

 
 . . . . previous "seasonal and specialty produce" issues