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November 2009

The unsettled weather of the past two months is being reflected in the unusually high peaks in some green leaf vegetable prices, particularly cabbage, as the effects of the weather filter through. We are likely to see spikes in prices throughout November as Spring crops come due for harvest.

Seasonal Vegetables
Asparagus - has started but the season, so far, is erratic due to the cold and stormy weather we are having.
Round Green Beans - Australian supply

Fruit
Strawberries are currently available with Blueberries due to start. Other berries should become available later in the month. Most varieties of Apple are still available. Pears are coming to the end of the stored stock and then imported pears will be available. The first NZ Stonefruit will be available late this month and then the imported Stonefruit will stop.

Prepared Salads
Speirs Foods have announced a rise in price for some of their lines that we sell. There will also be some new lines to be announced in late November when they become available. Customers who regularly buy prepared salads from us have been notified of the price changes. These prepared salads are excellent for those summer functions or festive staff functions.

Summer Meals
We have a range of mixes that will suit your summer dining, as well as selling a range of coleslaws, dressed or undressed, lettuce salads, mescluns & prepared salads.

We also sell Portobello (flat) Mushrooms that can serve as a meat replacement at your barbeque for those that don't eat meat. We sell red Gourmet Potatoes and these are usually still available in the weeks that white Gourmet Potatoes are not. Red Gourmet Potatoes are already in their ‘Santa suits' for a novelty dish at a Christmas function.
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October 2009

A beautiful start to Spring has come to an abrupt halt with a series of wintry storms at the end of September. This has had the effect of stopping some produce in its tracks and it could be mid-October before all the effects are felt. The asparagus season was just starting and has now stopped again, but we hope that growers can get some out between the storm fronts.

There was an unexpected end to Yams, with them finishing some two months earlier than last season.

Seasonal Vegetables

Asparagus - was due to start about mid September It will now start late September or early October. Our price this year will be similar to last years.

Round Green Beans - Australian supply

Brussels Sprouts - finished in September

Yams - finished in September

Fruit

As we move through the season, a lot of fruit will be produce that was picked and stored in warehouses that can control the atmosphere to give the longest possible shelf life to the fruit (CA). What does this mean? It means that fruit is available long after it normally would no longer be (apples for Christmas). On the other hand, it generally costs more as this special storage needs to be paid for and the fruit may not keep as long in your fruit bowl. The fruit is still good to eat and still has all its health properties, however, any little dings in the fruit will show up.

Summer Meals 

Now is the time to plan your summer menus. We have a range of mixes that will suit your summer dining, as well as selling a range of prepared salads. We can offer dairy and gluten free products to make planning that summer dining experience easier.

Labour Weekend

Our first Public Holiday sine June falls on Monday 26^th October. There will be no deliveries on Labour Day. We will publish ordering deadlines and delivery schedules on our website mid month and fax our customers.
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September 2009
We are promised a warm spring by the weather gurus and this bodes well for both supply and produce size. With the days being warmer, now would be a great time to start thinking about your outdoor catering. Coleslaws, and lettuce salads or mescluns, supplemented by some prepared salads, with Red or White Gourmet Potatoes, minted and buttered on the side. Flat mushrooms are a tasty alterative to meat or as a tasty addition to the steaks.

These can be supplemented by nibbles made from carrots, celery, broccoli & cauliflower.

We are still supplying our full range of winter mixes and vegetables.

Seasonal Vegetables
Asparagus - due to start about mid September. Our price is likely to be similar to last years, as we will be using the same Grower.

Round Green Beans - Australian supply

Brussels Sprouts - should be available all this month.

Yams - available until November.

Fruit Watch
Grapes are currently all American, now that the Australian grapes are finished.

Mandarins should resume local supply in 2-3 weeks, with Australian fruit plugging the gap until then

Californian Nectarines, Peaches and Plums are available and will be until the New Zealand fruit starts in November

Tamarillos are available with good buying on the smaller sized fruit

Kiwifruit is available but the price will firm as we move onto Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stored fruit - both Green and Gold

Pears, Berre Bosc and Pakcham varieties, are available as CA stock, which raises the price. Some imported Pears are available.

Apples are still readily available but are moving to CA stock with the higher price.

Avocados are in good supply with the new season settling in.

Berries normally start in September, dependant on the weather

Limes with good colour are becoming harder to get

Mineolas/Tangelos are available as import fruit
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