Autumn Produce Update
We thought we'd welcome Autumn by sharing the lowdown on whats slowing and whats growing…
Fruit News
It's the best time of year to buy apples as the fresh season has now started. We have a couple of heirloom varieties as well as the usual Galas, Fuji, Red Delicious and Granny Smith.
Pears have kicked off their season as well, with Williams and the brown skinned Buerre Bosc. The Red skinned Pears will start towards the end of the month. Nashi's are on and will be with us well into winter.
It's a good year for Avocadoes. We have 2 main varieties, Hass (lumpy dark skin when ripe and creamy in texture) and Shepard (smooth green skin doesn't change colour with a lighter texture). Expect to see some Fuerte's at the very end of March.
For berries, current season Blueberries are arriving from Tasmania, with the Tassie variety typically sweeter and larger than what we would have seen at the start of the year. Strawberries are also coming in from southern Queensland and Daylesford Victoria but in short supply.
Citrus is kicking off again with the cooler temperatures. Grapefruit will be available in both yellow and ruby varieties. Lemons are coming down from North Qld (scroll down to learn why they are greener than usual). There are good stocks of both Meyer and Eureka lemons coming into the market. Also plenty of Limes and Valencia Oranges available at the moment. The Valencia's will be with us through Autumn, with Navels coming on at the start of winter.
Price on citrus is good, as is the quality and supply.
Stone-fruit hasn't done well this year, it has been a very light crop and a short season. Nectarines are finished. Plums have coped better with the adverse conditions and are in quite good supply. Sugar Plums, Tegan Blue, and Mariposa (similar to a Blood Plum) will be available through March. Other fruits available are Pineapples, Pawpaw, Grapes, Figs are still available in limited numbers.
Veggies
While last years deluge from the skies caused quality and supply issues, it has created favourable growing conditions for veggies this year. The dams are full and the soil is healthy!
All Chinese green bunches are available, as well as Leeks and Cos Lettuce. Green Cucumbers are limited, but plenty of Lebanese available. Silverbeet and Rainbow Chard is still in abundance at the moment. Celery is in reasonable supply.
There is also plenty of Eggplant, and prices have come down with the increase in availability.
Brown and Red Onions are on from Victoria quality is excellent, but supply like last year seems a little short.
Green Kale and Cavolo Nero are also short, one very large grower stopped supplying due to a shortage of farm workers. Bunched lines are a lot more labour intensive, which is why they dropped these lines. A few other growers have stepped into the space, but the volume just isn't there yet.
Round and Roma Tomatoes are coming out of several growing areas, supply is good and prices have dropped. Zucchini are normally short this time of year but are in good supply and coming out of 4 different regions. Quality is up, prices are down.
New season Potatoes have started from Tasmania, all the usual varieties Dutch, Sebago, Desiree, Pontiac and the flavoursome favourite Kipfler. Victorian potatoes will start a little later this year, due to a delay in planting with all the wet weather.
Brassicas have kicked off with a bang, there are lots of Cabbages both Red and Green and good supply of Broccoli. Cauliflower is bucking the trend and has been in short supply and will probably stay that way until the Victorian season starts properly in a month or so.
Jap Pumpkin is over supplied in the market and prices are very low and quality excellent.
Autumn is a great time for veggies… Remember to eat all your colours!
We're looking forward to feeding you this week.
