Dave's Market Update
In Fruit
“As we move through summer, we start to see the first of the Autumn fruits appearing. We have the first new season apples appearing on our shelves this week, beautiful Galas from Bilpin. There are some Victorian Galas around, however I think they are still immature and have been picked too early. All in all, it’s looking like a cracker season for all apples this year.
The good second crop figs are now with us. They are much sweeter and tastier than the late Dec, early Jan figs. Limes continue to be in abundant supply and are still a better option than lemons. We have a dramatic increase in passionfruit and Panama passionfruit this week and prices have fallen here. Bananas are very well priced and great value for back-to-school week. This may not last beyond a couple of weeks as another cyclone is crossing into Qld in the growing areas. It’s a little early to tell the full extent of the damage at this stage.
Our big special this week will be seedless watermelon. The weather is right for it and it’s cheap and eating extremely well. Grapes are really ramping up, both whites and reds are plentiful and magnificent to eat.
This week, we have started both natural sultanas, which I think are fantastic. They were our main grape in late Jan and Feb thirty years ago. Also this week, black Muscatels, which is another fantastic eating grape that I grew up on. In the meantime, apricots and cherries are winding up but peaches and nectarines are enjoying their best season for some years. Yellow and white varieties are both superb and of course, our imperfect range of these fruits are an absolute bargain.
In Veg
Quite a few veggie lines are starting to tighten up this week particularly Iceberg lettuce, caulies and broccoli. As always, there are bargains to be had. A very different one this week is Gai Lan, a Chinese veg less well known but very popular with our Asian customers.
Telegraph cucumbers, Basil and shallots all remain great value. Gourmet tomatoes are still very very cheap and as a result those fantastic heirloom tomatoes are certainly dearer than gourmets but for my money the best tomato we sell. Beans are still the same as last week, very good value for a premium hand-picked product”.
- David Harris
Dave's Pick of the Week
“My pick this week is whole seedless watermelon, at an absolutely fantastic price. We still have excellent melons coming from both north and central Qld and now heavy supplies from NSW as well.
At Harris Farm, we appreciate that a whole melon is less work for us and as we have always done, we will continue to discount the price of a whole melon compared to a cut melon. It looks like a warm weekend coming up, the flavour of these melons is fantastic so enjoy an in-season summer treat. Once cut, the melon is best stored in your fridge.”
- David Harris
