Apple Cider--Hy and Ruby's fresh apple cider is back. The first pressing was a bit tart for my taste, though this week gala apples have added to the sweetness making it much better. It's getting good now--not too sweet, not too tart. As the season progresses, more varieties will be added to the mix, giving it that complexity which all great apple ciders have.
Apples--as the season shifts to high gear all around the country, prices are beginning to fall. This applies to west coast apples such as Granny Smith, red delicious, golden delicious, gala, etc.
Avocados--prices are falling in response to the new crop ripening in Chile and Latin America, as well as current supplies from the U.S. and Mexico. Quality is still just ok.
Peeled Garlic--prices have fallen fairly dramatically here, also.
Broccoli and Cauliflower--these two are great for menus right now. They're seasonal and quite inexpensive. Product is coming from many states, including Michigan, Maine, California and Washington.
Lettuces--prices for all varieties are quite firm.
Idaho Potatoes--finally prices are easing up a bit for russet potatoes after a very long ride of high prices.
Peppers--local harvests of red and green peppers, are keeping markets rather depressed. This includes jalapenos, poblanos, and hungarian hots.
Zucchini and Yellow Squash--both of these summer vegetables are just about finished locally. Product from other states coming into the Detroit is markedly higher. Cucumbers from Michigan are just about finished also.
Peanuts--new crop peanuts are finding their way to the market. If you have any interest, we now have salted and roasted peanuts in the shell, as well as cajun, green and raw peanuts. Nothing like throwing peanut shells on the floor of your favorite establishment, eh!
Dates and Dried Figs--are also hitting the marketplace. Fresh medjool dates are always a treat, so moist and sweet. The figs are the calimyrna variety from Greece.
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( 2.7 / 166 )It's like the chicken and the egg thing. New products come in to season changing peoples buying and eating habits, or the season changes precipitating these changes. On the retail level, people go gaga over Michigan blueberries when they first come in (as well they should) and the rush lasts for quite awhile, until those great Michigan peaches arrive. For about a month, which coincides with summer, peaches and corn and melons dominate the scene until kids go back to school. That really means September is here with cooler nights and darker mornings, and folks are ready for the apple and squash thing. Peaches and melons get dropped like a hot potato, but they can't get enough of apples and pears. So, where are we going with all of this. It's time for: Out with the old and in with the new.
Winter Squash--it's cool enough to turn those ovens on again. Heck, pretty soon I'll need to turn the furnace on. Local hard squash is beginning to mature and those taste buds are ready for it. Acorn squash, butternut, carnival, spaghetti, buttercup, kuri, pie pumpkins and more are being harvested. They're also very cost effective.
Apples--this is the week local honeycrisp apples should begin. The masses are panting with excitement over the thought of honeycrisps. Other varieties tend to get overlooked, but if you're in to cooking with apples for sauces, crisps and the like many great options are ahead of us.
Root Veggies--like turnips, parsnips, beets, carrots, root celery, daikon radish, parsley root, rutabagas,and the like, get sweeter as the weather turns cooler. These often forgotten vegetables are also very cost effective.
Cole Crops--fall is my favorite time for indulging in the vegetables belonging to the mustard or cruciferae family. They are all cold tolerant and are the type of thing my taste buds are in the mood for at this time of the year. The group includes broccoli,cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, mustard and collard greens, and kohlrabi. These are all veggies which are found locally; they're mighty tasty, and did I mention that they, too, are very cost effective.
Lemons --well, now that the weather is cooling down and thoughts of lemonade are fading from memory, the price of lemons is finally falling. Pressure from Mexico, Chile, Florida, and a general lack of interest in lemons are bringing prices back down to Earth after an expensive summer. Heck, make lemonade for another week or two.
Peapods and Sugar Snaps--prices are becoming very reasonable for these relatives. Product from Peru and Guatemala compete for our low level of interest creating greater supply than demand.
Avocados--prices are about to drop here also. Quality is still not the best, but Mexico must be releasing more product which is helping out prices.
Lettuces--prices are spiking higher again after a tease of some relief. Romaine, once again is leading the charge along with green leaf and iceberg. Spring mix seems stable, as does Michigan boston lettuce and red leaf.
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( 2.8 / 108 )Did you ever think the price of gas would come down. See, there you go! Fooled ya didn't they--will prices ever get below $3 per gallon. Will any of your suppliers drop their fuel charges if prices come down further? Frog Holler Produce doesn't charge a fuel surplus because we deliver almost exclusively in Washtenaw County, and we're trying to buck the trend.
Anyway, what I was really getting to was the price of romaine which is almost back to normal. From a high of $40, romaine and romaine hearts are back in the mid $20's.
Apples--are slowly beginning to come back to Earth as some local deals get under way. It appears prices won't approach past years' low levels, but relief is under way. Michigan is one of the nations leading apple producing states and apples, by far, are the leading Michigan fruit produced in terms of volume. Some varieties of Michigan apples are beginning their harvest. These include Paula Reds, Galas, Jonamacs, Ginger golds and Golden Supremes, and as the weather turns cooler (at the end of the week), other varieties will begin to ripen. The ever popular Honey Crisp might begin harvest in about a week or two. Many early varieties are wonderful for apple sauce, so let us know if you're interested in some particular old time, tart sauce apples.
Blueberries--are beginning their transition to 1/2 pint containers signifying the end is near. Many Michigan berries are placed in controlled atmosphere storage, to extend their season to almost Thanksgiving. Their might be one or two more opportunities to purchase bulk blueberries, but place your orders now!
Blackberries--the domestic season is coming to an end, as product is being sourced from Guatemala. Prices are rising rapidly for domestic product.
Peppers--Michigan green peppers are in full harvest mode right now and prices are very reasonable. California red peppers are in full swing and we've switched to their 15 pound cases. Prices are less than $1.50 per pound by the case.
Pears--Bartlett pears from California are in full swing. Washington Bartlett pears, which are the major supplier throughout the fall are just about to begin. Variety pears like bosc, comice, seckel, various varieties of red, are just around the corner.
Mangoes--I'm sorry to announce the season for good mangoes is virtually over. Tommy Atkin mangoes from Brazil are already showing up, but these don't have the same flavor profile as the wonderful Mexican deal. There maybe a maverick shipment of a great tasting mango ahead of us, but it's time to take them off the menu. Boo hoo!
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( 2.8 / 93 )Days are getting shorter, mornings are cooler, so football season must be near. I can just sense the hordes of students on their way into town. Ann Arbor is still kind of a sleepy town in the summer, but it's all about to end. Here's to all you laborers out there. Cheers!!
A quick note regarding the current state of the produce markets.
Lettuce--I don't recall romaine lettuce ever being so expensive during the summer. Prices are approaching $40 for romaine and romaine hearts. Other lettuce(s) are making their move higher also, though our ability to obtain Michigan leaf lettuce and boston has kept prices down a bit.
Figs--this is the peak of the season. Varieties include black mission, kadota, brown turkey and calimyrna. Prices are lower for these sweet, versatile, treasures. Product can be obtained in cases of pints or in tray packs, where they are individually placed. The trays contain larger fruit and come in about 20 pieces per tray.
Berries--blueberries have bottomed out and prices have begun to rise. Prices have been under $20 for 12 full pint cases for several weeks, though that is about to change. Prices may climb rapidly. Raspberries and blackberries are also starting to become a bit more expensive. Strawberries seem to be stable for now.
Lemons--more growing areas, i.e. Chile and Mexico have entered the market, and some less expensive product can be obtained. Limes, on the other hand have firmed up and prices are higher.
Avocados--Mexican avocados are entering a bit of a gap in production, and you may notice their product is a bit thin lately, especially for making guacamole. We're encouraging our suppliers to bring in California avocados which are in the thick of their season and have a higher oil content. Their product is more expensive, but should be of higher quality for the time being. Let us know if the Mexican avocados are working for you currently.
Variety Peppers--which include jalapenos, poblanos, banana peppers, hungarian hots, cubanelles, anaheims, habaneros, serranos, and cherry bombs, are all beginning to show up at the Eastern Market. Spice up your life and feel the heat.
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( 2.7 / 69 )Farmers are busy harvesting right now. Farmers markets around here, and all over the country for that matter, are in the middle of their harvest season. It's really as good as it gets if you're a foodie.
Tomatoes--there's a glut of tomatoes around here right now and prices are falling. Varieties are plentiful. Choose from red ripe slicers, to orange, yellow, brown, and red cherry tomatoes, small and tasty compari type tomatoes, heirlooms of many types, romas and san marzano romas, grape tomatoes, green tomatoes and a few more varieties each week. The best part is that all the tomatoes are from Michigan and they are picked vine ripe or close to it.
Blueberries--blueberries farmers have prospered recently, due to the anti-oxidant hype, but Michigan has had a great crop this year and prices have been quite reasonable all summer. Some folks have requested special 5 and 10 pound boxes, and we've sourced gorgeous berries from the western part of the state for them. Berries are switching from the sweet Blue Crop variety to the tarter Elliot variety. They're the best for freezing.
Peaches--Michigan peaches are available now, but don't wait too long. Quality has been very good, though sizing may appear a bit small. There's nothing like a Michigan peach!
Lemons--California is getting a bit of competition from Chile and soon from Florida, and prices are a bit lower. That's nice to hear since lemons have been very expensive all summer.
Asparagus--there's a 2 price tier depending on whether product is air shipped or by boat. We'll usually pay the difference for air shipped product as it will longer shelf life. Prices are falling a bit.
Cherries--another season is in the record books. Michigan is finished for the year and the west coast has a few dribs and drabs left. What a wonderful piece of fruit!
Peppers--Michigan pepper harvest is going full boar and prices are low. California has finally come in with some decent outdoor red peppers and prices are lower here also. Many varieties of local "specialty" peppers are becoming available. Ask your sales person for details.
Spinach--has been a bit of a problem lately as many loads are being rejected for quality purposes, and supplies are a bit limited. Retail baby spinach was virtually non-existent last week.
Root Veggies--like beets, turnips, and parsnips are now being freshly dug, and prices are lower.
Cauliflower--prices are much lower here as California begins to get pressure from some other local deals.
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