Dave's Market Update
In Veg
“The best bargain at Harris Farm this week is Red Capsicums. Really top-quality line from Queensland. Unfortunately, the tomatoes from Queensland are not as prolific as the capsicums and we are paying enormous prices for these, and this has affected all tomato prices. I was in one of our shops yesterday and in my view the imperfect tomatoes were the best option.
Continental parsley, rhubarb, shallots, fennel, Brussels Sprouts and Jap pumpkin all remain very reasonably priced, as do a number of the pre-packed potatoes on offer.
Again, imperfect Kumera is a standout for value. We monitor our imperfect sales very carefully and are pleased to say we passed the 50 million kg total sales figure this week. That took 10 years however at the current sales level, the second five will only take around 5 years I suspect. Join us to save some money and save landfill. These imperfect lines sell just as well in every demographic and our customers really get it what value they offer.”
- David Harris
In Fruit
“Again, strawberries are our number one fruit line across the company. Subnormal temperatures in Queensland this week have slowed the ripening process and hence prices are marginally dearer than last week at this stage. The blueberries from Mountain Blues new farms in the far north are fantastic to eat but small quantities leading to high prices which will persist until late July when the Coffs Harbour fruit gets underway.
In the meantime, Crimson seedless grapes are cheap and good (you shouldn’t bother with the other varieties anymore). Bananas are still very good value as are apples and citrus. The navels are sweet and cheap, and there are now several later varieties of mandarins around that are great to eat but overall, another excellent week for fruit.”
- David Harris
Dave's Pick of the Week - "Yellow Capsicums"
"My pick for this week is red capsicums.
This is the time of the year that winter crops from Bundaberg and a little later Bowen in North Queensland get underway. So prices are down half last week’s price!!
Very high in vitamins A and C, far more so than green capsicums. In fact, all capsicums start as green capsicums and then ripen mostly to red and a few to an orange or a yellow colour. Hence the green are slightly bitter whereas the ripe fruit and especially the reds are sweeter and far richer in vitamins and nutrients.
Very flexible in their usage, they are great in salads, or just as a vegetable can be added to winter casseroles, stir fries, pies or omelettes. A couple of my kids love to munch on them raw."
- David Harris
HOW TO PICK
Pick red capsicums that are firm and glossy with a uniform colour. Avoid any capsicums that have dull or wrinkled skin, spots or blemishes.
HOW TO STORE
Keep capsicums in the crisper section of your fridge for up to a week.
