Our Fresh Produce Report

This report was updated on Wednesday the 3rd February for deliveries 8th - 11th February 2010

  • Fruit availability was a little light on this week, mainly due the rainfall being experienced in QLD and TASSIE…looking back at the newsletter this time last year it was a very similar story…Unfortunately the Figs arrived from QLD looking a little worse for wear…Picked in the rain the delicate fruit was already starting to show signs of break down when it arrived Monday – so we decided to give them a miss as they have been so good. 
  • Cherries were a late scratching on Saturday night. A call from Mal described heavy rains in Tassie that creates for very unfavourable conditions for picking cherries, in many cases resulting in a Brown Rot that appears days later. Not wanting to risk the possibility, the Francis family decided to skip this week to ensure the fruit is as we have grown to expect – EXCELLENT. So big, meaty Tassie Cherries back on the list this week…and finally to the Grapes. 
  • I’m quite sure many of you would have had a puzzled look on opening your orders when you realized that quite obviously the Menindee Grapes were not from Jones or ‘Don’t Mess with Mother Nature’…to cut a long story short, the Grapes did arrive completely overripe and starting to show signs of breakdown….The Sultana Grapes were a ‘no show’….Thankfully Dave at one of Sydney’s Wholesalers was able to supply our Green Grape needs…but they were not the quality we have enjoyed over the last few weeks. Flavour was good, but the grapes were not as sweet as the ones we have been eating….Any major probs lettuce know. 
  • …keep an eye on your mangoes, sadly this week was the last pick and reluctantly I must say that the one sitting on my bench is starting to show signs of black spot…not the end of the world but certainly now an ‘eat first item’. I’m sure you will all agree this mango season has been good ! 
  • Now to the top news of the day – Crimson Grapes are the next cab off the rank and the whisper is this will be one of the best seasons we have seen for years…a big call considering the fruit was fantastic last year. Crimson are a red, oval shaped grape that are super sweet and have the most serious crunch !!! YUM.. Starting from Robinvale and Woolhouse this week, they are sure to please. 
  • White Nectarines from Ken Lester were delicious this week and finally coming down in price…
  • Juicing Apples this week are coming from McMahon. New season Gala’s that are simply an imperfect shape or have a little dent in them. Excellent value for money…William Pears from Linton Greenwood have started this week…fruit is small and pricey as expected…flavour is good.  
  • Golden Queen Peaches, from McMahon really are lovely and will be off the list before you know it…skins are marked and fruit looks pretty ordinary…but don’t let this put you off….Flavour is sensational and texture fantastic. These are the meatiest of all the peaches and similar in colour to Apricots…..and probably only available for one more week….the season is just too short ! 
  • Maurice Franklin has a one week gap on his glamour biodynamic bananas and so fruit will come from Abbott this week…
  • Blueberries from VIC & TAS, Rockmelon now from Murray, Pineapples from Top End, Lychees from Kiwi Down Under, Mangosteens from Wyalla, Peaches from David Fairey and Brooke-Kelly as well as Plums have been very good.
  • Charlie and Jo have a gap in their Silverbeet this week, so bunches will come from Labertouche in VIC..hence price increase.
  • Jo is back on with Iceberg and plenty of it..so Iceberg Special back on at $2.40 each. 
  • Corn now coming from Pinnacle and Rosnay…
  • …Paul Cremona who supplies Lettuce with Parsley, Coriander & Chives has now added to our range Thyme, Dill, Sage, Marjoram, Rosemary and Oregano which will now finally be available in consistent local supply. Yeehah. Order with confidence from here on in…
  • Cauli’s will come from Kirkconnell this week. Heads are largish, but are not as crisp as we expect, in fact Summer Cauli at times feel quite rubbery….This does not affect the veg when cooked. 
  • Capsicum – both Green and Red, Beans, Snake Beans (black variety) from Keandy, Potatoes – new season from Kyne & Rogers in VIC, Broccolini from VIC, Eggplant from Nu-trene, Shallots from David Gray, Zucchini from David Fairey & David Ross
  • Zucchini Flowers from David Ross were again fantastic…They are on the list, but availability is actually in the hands of Mother Nature….If it is too hot or wet the flowers can not be picked…Fingers Crossed.