We Solve Your Produce Needs. Volume 35, Week 38 Monday, September 18, 2017 LATE BLOOMERS Summer is fading fast. Vacation platter pair well with any num- days in the rear view mirror ber of California produced bring a different focus with . some new routines shaping our The fruit bounty moves well plates. Before completely let- past breakfast and dessert ting go of summer, how about ideas. Inspired jams, taking one last bite? preserves and compotes are The best of late harvest sum- heavenly creations to be mer fruits and vegetables are enjoyed well into winter. ready for the final soirée. Act Cues from Mother Nature quickly, as the window is clos- dictate menus this month. ing on the late bloomers. Eggplant encourages grilling That glorious camp includes and layered casseroles. heirloom tomatoes, eggplants (in all shapes, Hits of exotic - , , sizes and color), summer and early fall keep summer travel memories alive. Moussaka, squashes (zucchini, eight ball, spaghetti and ratatouille, baba ghannoush or send our butternut), and even some squash blossoms still imaginations racing to Greece, Italy, the Middle East on the stem. or the Balkans. Last of summer makes for for pasta, Fresh figs epitomize the Mediterranean similarities or bruschetta. Use the tomatoes for tomato with California fruits. Climate and variety tell the and or Caprese with a balsamic drizzle. story. Sensuous, local ingredients carve out a niche Both are fresh, light and the perfect compliment to for appreciative fig lovers. any September dinner party. Can there be anything better than a stuffed black Off the vine pepper choices, make us dream of mission fig on a shared plate? Perhaps a Kadota sumptuous stuffed bells, chile rellenos and fig, with their thick skin and creamy amber green roasted Anaheim, poblano, Hatch and color, for a brighter note. Then there is the jalapeños. South of the border delectables go Calimyrna fig, noted for their honey and nut-like far beyond . Pepper poppers keep things flavor and tender, golden skin. All late summer stars. lively for al fresco appetizers. Sustainable ways to hold on to summer’s great A feast for fruit lovers circles around figs, flavors is to bottle, freeze, dry, or preserve them. grapes, blackberries, Asian and Bartlett pears and heirloom melons. Imagine a fruit plate with A fond farewell to late bloomers is to savor grilled the colors, texture and delicate flavors. sweet corn, sip peach sangria and indulge in decadent blackberry slab pie. Take your last Pistachios, walnuts and almonds on that bite of summer. The party is almost over.

P.O. Box 308, Sacramento, CA 95812 • Phone 916.441.6431 • Fax 916.441.2483 • www.generalproduce.com REGIONAL MARKET ALERTS

BIG WEATHER & MAJOR MARKET DISRUPTIONS The extremely active tropical season continues with four current disturbances in the Eastern Pacific and three in the Atlantic. From Baja and Tex- as, to the eastern seaboard, hurricanes and extreme weather conditions have and continue to impact major growing areas. This situation will cause dramatic market fluctuations from coast to coast. Expect escalated pricing, tight market supplies on many key items and incon- sistent to poor quality on available supplies. Early guesses have this to be the produce news at least through mid-January. We will stay close to the

FLORIDA~ We will see a very active market and potential supply interruptions on all east coast vegetable items due to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Several of our partner growers have sustained severe damage to infrastructure, as well as crops. Fortunately, the forecast calls for favorable weather in the region over the next several days, which will assist in the recovery process. We expect to see very active markets over the next two to three months due to the damage of the fall crops in North Florida and South Georgia. We are anticipate a bold recovery pro- cess with federal funds aiding cleanup. Shortages expected to last 60 – 70 days, a typical growing cycle, minimum, if sufficient labor and plantings are available. Products primarily affected: Tomatoes, Green Onions, Green Beans, Cucumbers & Chile Peppers. Prices will likely increase as there is more demand on the West Coast to supply the East Coast with product. Georgia and South Carolina experienced heavy rains that took a toll on other major crops such as bell peppers. Expect a bump on tight supplies.

MEXICO~ The aftermath of Tropical Storm Franklin and continued sporadic rains have product shortages expected to last two to three more weeks before there is any recovery. Escalated prices continue. Products primarily affected: Avocados, Asparagus & Limes. The avocado market is at historically high levels. Demand has not let up, forcing supplies to raise markets to higher levels. Sizing is still peaking on 60’s. Mexico’s new main crop is now expected to start in October versus the predicted late-September time frame. More time is required for the maturity level of the fruit to increase before they start harvesting. Asparagus volume out of Northern Baja s light due to rains last week, affecting yields. Due to Hurricane Irma, nothing has arrived from Peru since late last week. Limes struggle with quality and harvest conditions.

CALIFORNIA~ ALL growing regions experienced extended, excessive heat and extraordinary high temperatures over the last few weeks. Shortages and gaps will last until transition. We expect abnormal market conditions through Thanksgiving.

Products primarily affected: Citrus, Tomatoes, ALL Lettuces, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cilantro and Berries. Product quality is most affected, along with supply volumes. With east coast demand kicking in, shippers will begin to pack all available product, however marginal. There is a shortage on citrus supplies (extreme markets on lemons and oranges) with a gap expected between Valencia oranges ending and Navels getting started. Strawberry supplies will be limited for the next week or more. The extremely hot record setting temperatures in the growing areas has wreaked havoc with supplies and quality. There is crop loss, quality issues and low production to contend with. COMMODITY UPDATES

Broccoli, Cauliflower & : temperatures that will allow growers to safely store The broccoli market has taken a their crop. Rain is expected in the next few days and drastic turn. Supplies have become that may curtail harvest along with packing of fresh extremely limited. The extreme heat product. Quality has been very good with no major we have experienced in the Salinas issues to report. Speaking to new crop potato harvest– Valley, coupled with the rain in newly dug spuds have inherit internal heat coming out the growing region of Mexico is of the ground. They will look fine when packed and the culprit. Valley shippers are shipped. Until they get a chance to cool in storage, passing up acreage due to brown bead and hollow some will have a tendency to continue to cook and core from the heat. Supplies look to remain limited for cut dark inside. the next few weeks. Quality will be fair at best with yel- lowing, dehydration, hollow core, and brown bead. Cauliflower supplies have yet to react to the extreme heat of the Salinas Valley. Quality is a different story, with yellowing of the base of the cauliflower, some sun SUMMER MELON WITH FIGS & PROCUITTO scald which looks like brown spotting, and yellow to cream color. Celery is a bit stronger but nothing to be Ingredients: alarmed at. Plenty of product is available. Expect pric- 1 ripe sharlyn or orange ing to be more active next week. Warm temperatures have accelerated growth. Expect to see industry-wide fleshed heirloom melon, gaps in a few weeks. peeled, seeded, and cut into & : medium cubes (about 4 Both markets are cups) at extreme price 1 honeydew melon, peeled, levels. California just completed seeded, and cut into 2017 harvests. medium cubes (about 4 cups) Yields are as expected, good sized but nothing extraordinary, Current demand continues to exceed 1 cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and cut into medium cubes domestic supplies of garlic. Chinese ginger supplies (about 4 cups) have tightened up considerably, putting upward 3 ounces prosciutto di Parma, julienned pressure on prices across the country. This is still a better dollar value than ginger from Hawaii, Brazil, 1 bunch basil Thailand and Costa Rica. The Brazillian product hitting 8 fresh dark-skinned figs, trimmed and quartered the market will have smaller fingers on the hand and have a notable interior texture difference. 1/4 pound arugula Onions & Potatoes: Both 1 tablespoon extra-virgin commodities are at 1 (4-ounce) block ricotta salata, shaved, for garnish escalated price levels. Onion supplies are 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper, for garnish shipping from the north- west and all indications are Method: showing that supplies are For each serving, place 1/2 cup of each melon in the center significantly shorter than previous seasons. It is like- of the plate; place about 1/3 ounce prosciutto on top of the ly we will see pricing remain elevated as demand ex- melon, followed by a few basil leaves, 4 fig quarters, and a ceeds supplies. Sizing continues to be a serious issue. few arugula leaves. Drizzle each serving with a little olive oil, Sizing is peaking mostly on mediums and jumbos with and garnish with the shaved ricotta salata and a dash of very few big onions. We expect improvement as we transition from the harvest onions into storage onions, crushed red pepper. but even with this, it is likely we will see pricing on *Note: If you can't find Sharlyn melon, try fragrant Tuscan melon large onions remain elevated this season as supplies or casaba. may remain snug. Serves 6-8 Idaho harvests are underway. Prices are stable for the Recipe adapted from Health magazine moment with approximately 18 percent harvested. It has been too warm to put product into storage, but that will change next week. We are expecting cooler Here is your personal update

MARKET REPORT For updated prices and availability contact GENERAL PRODUCE 916.441.6431 E-Mail: [email protected]

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart”

~Celia Thaxter