-
NEW!
• Striped Eggplant
• Nature’s Pride Potatoes -
COMING SOON
• Navels
• Satsumas
• California Kiwi
• Covilli Zucchini & Green Beans
• Tommy Mangos Ecuador -
BACK IN STOCK
• Grapefruit (mid-late week, spotty availability)
• Sunrise Nantes Carrots -
TIGHT INVENTORY
• Roma Tomatoes
• Grapefruit
• Bunched Broccoli
• Lettuces
• True Hearts Romaine -
gapping
• Organic Girl Arugula
• Roma Tomatoes
• Cello Rainbow Carrots -
WINDING DOWN
• Durst Cherry Tomatoes
• Early Girl Tomatoes
• CA Keitt Mangos
• CA Summer Squash
• California Valencias -
finished
• Abate Fetel and Comice Pears
• Mini Mixed Pumpkins Del Cabo
BUYER’S NOTES
Updated October 23, 2022
FRUIT
Some of our favorite Club Apples are in the house: the Opal will be our golden apple as long as possible, and the Smitten is a short crop – buy a box while you can! Let your Earl’s Sales Rep know of interest in the Mount Hood Heirloom & Biodynamic Apples this season. Berries are tough at this point in the year: Watsonville & Salinas are winding down production but Baja has yet to start in earnest. Colder nights and less sunlight create the conditions for a Fall Strawberry up here – expect to see a combination of ripe fruit and white shouldered fruit with longer legs. Pomegranates, Persimmons, and Grapes are all going strong. California Valencias are winding down, and the Mexican market aims tp start by early November – juice up while you can.
With both California and Mexico in Lemon production, price has come down substantially. In this market, we’re seeing a fair amount of pricing parity between the Organic and Conventional markets – it may be in your best interest to double-check our pricing comparatively, and don’t hesitate to ask your Earl’s Sales Rep for more information!
Varietal Pears are all winding down, but we have a variety of sizes on Bartlett, Anjou, and Starkrimson. The California Keitt Mango season came to an abrupt end, and next up will be Tommy Mangos from Ecuador, slated for early November. And they’ll make an entrance alongside Navels and Satsumas for the Citrus season kickoff!
Every Fair Trade purchase empowers farm workers to improve their communities by deciding as a collective how and when to invest the Fair Trade Premium.
how the fair trade premium works
How exactly does Fair Trade Premium benefit the workers?
A few extra cents paid by the consumer – the Fair Trade Premium - will allow for democratically chosen projects to become a reality in farm worker communities; whether it’s a bus for the High School students, dental services or a multipurpose room, this benefit will bring empowerment through decision making and project execution. The Premium that is added to the cost of produce goes directly in its entirety to the bank account of the Workers Association.
How can the workers use the Fair Trade Premium?
One of the most important aspects of Fair Trade is: funds are specifically designated for social, economic and environmental development projects. The workers are the ones who know what’s best for their own community and Fair Trade USA and Fair Trade International have enabled a democratic system for the community to decide how and when the Premium will be invested.
Can the grower use part of the Premiums?
Absolutely NOT. The funds CANNOT be used to invest in the company’s property or cover company’s expenses (wages, operation, supplies, etc.). Benefits are exclusively for the workers, by the workers. The grower IS responsible for covering all Fair Trade Certification and promotional expenses.
How often is the Premium paid to the Workers Association?
Through a transparent process that is traceable and audited by Fair Trade USA or Fair Trade International the grower has assumed the responsibility of paying on a monthly basis, the correct amount of Fair Trade Premium to the Workers Association bank account. Being able to track and verify the correct movements of the Premium from the moment a sale takes place until the deposit is made is a critical audit criteria.
Choosing Fairtrade means supporting standards and actions that put more power in the hands of workers themselves.
Earl’s carries Fair Trade Fair Trade fruits and vegetables year-round. Look for Fair Trade Avocados, Bananas, Melons, Pineapples, Tomatoes and more.
Coliman Banana Community Center funded by the Fair Trade Premium
Year-round Dole Fair Trade Pineapples
APPLES
In Club Apples: Jazz coming from New Zealand until domestic starts up, Smitten is a short crop, and the Opal will be our golden apple for as long as possible. We’re still shopping around this early in the apple season but the Viva Tierra 88ct Premium Fuji is a beauty! For Heirloom Apples we have the Lady Apples for now, but let your Earl’s Sales Rep know if you are interested in the Mount Hood Heirloom & Biodynamic Apples this year!
AVOCADOS
With solid Avocado supplies out of Mexico, the price is right! The last of Traceland will continue to trickle in over the next few weeks, primarily #2 fruit.
BANANAS
It’s Fair Trade Month! Now is the time to promote bananas and the folks who grow them! Read more about it on our blog.
BERRIES
Blackberries: Tomatero hoping to go for another two weeks – get them while you can!
Blueberries: Forbiddens are still ramping up and starting to see more supply available. Peruvian Pints will be in stock as long as possible.
Strawberries: It’s end of season in Northern growing regions Salinas and Watsonville but Baja hasn’t started up – berries are fragile this time of year. We’re seeing a fair amount of premature breakdown and keeping it tight accordingly.
citrus
Grapefruit: Rio Reds in this week, but another week or two until supply is consistent.
Valencias: Season is coming to an end and prices are climbing up. Just another week or two of California Valencias with a potential gap before Mexican product is ready.
Navels: Looking to start the first week of November.
California Lemons: Good supply and excellent pricing as Mexico and California are both in production.
Yuzu: Green fruit from Marsalisi available in limited quantity.
Mandarins: Side Hill slated to start the first week of November.
grapes
Expect solid supply on all three colors through Thanksgiving, and then Red Grapes will carry us through the end of the year!
melons
Mexican Mini Watermelons are going strong, but may see a gap in Honeydews as production ramps up.
pears
Looking at a nice size spread on our Bartlett & Anjou Pears – from 70 through 110ct! Starkrimson is our primary red pear. Most of the varietals are winding down or finished but hoping to see some Seckel Pears closer to Christmas.
tropicals
CA Keitt season coming to an abrupt end! We will be transitioning to Ecuador by the first week of November, starting with Tommys. Next shot of Thai Coconuts in about a week.
VEGETABLES
Halloween is just around the corner and now is the time to grab your Organic Jack-O Lantern Bins! Many folks may gravitate towards conventional pumpkins for the holiday – they’re mostly decorative after all, right? – but we know the benefits of organic go far beyond what we consume. Avoiding harmful pesticides means healthier workers and healthier ecosystems, and every purchase helps us build a stronger organic supply chain. (Not to mention those seeds you’ll roast up after carving!) Available in 650# bins, while supplies last.
Bunched Broccoli and Crowns looking to be in better supply than we’ve seen in weeks. There are still some pin rot issues, but the high yields are allowing them to harvest enough. Availability may still be inconsistent.
We’re facing Carrot allocations again this year from Cal-O – look for the Bolthouse label to help support loose carrot needs. Lettuce remains very tight with a high price, see detailed update below. Criminis are tight as well, and will continue that way through the holidays.
Tutti Frutti Heirlooms are in great shape, with a solid supply until the first frost, and early Covilli Heirlooms are around to supplement. Romas are all but unavailable after Divine Flavor lost their crop – expected them to be tight with intermittent gaps over the next month. Clusters are in better shape at a great price, and Mixed Cherry Tomatoes from Whiskey Hill should be available for several weeks!
asparagus
We’ve hit a more stable space for Asparagus – nice green stalks and well-cured cuts. Bouncing around to different Mexican growers, still on a land by land basis.
bunched beets
Gold Beets from Terra Firma, to supplement Montecucco & Ralph’s. Gorgeous quality across the board!
green beans
Good weather in Mexico after the hurricane means that Covilli is on good track to start with Beans & Zucchini, hopefully in good supply by the second week of November.
Broccoli
Bunched Broccoli and Crowns looking to be in better supply than we’ve seen in weeks. There are still some pin rot issues, but the high yields are allowing them to harvest enough. Availability may still be inconsistent.
sweet baby Broccoli
Strong supply from Lakeside and Tomatero.
brussels sprouts
Fairly tight market, starting to open up.
carrots
Lakeside Bunched Carrots have been limited due to labor issues, but Sunrise is back into full Nantes supply! Bolthouse is helping to fill our Bulk Carrot needs in the face of prorated supplies from Cal-Organic. Rainbow 24x2# Cello Carrots will be out until further notice, but look for 25# Rainbow Carrots from Ralph’s.
cauliflower
Sourcing all the Colored Cauliflower we can from Sun Valley!
celery
Strong supply through November from Josie’s but expect prices to increase leading up to the holidays.
cucumbers
Euro Cukes have finally come down in price after the tight moment. Persians from Wilgenberg are in solid supply through November.
eggplant
Bringing in Mexican Eggplant, and Graffiti is back!
fennel
Keeping multiple vendors in the mix to help ensure availability as the holiday approaches.
greens
Chards a bit limited but good supply & nice quality on the Kales.
herbs
Colder weather means Basil is running into some quality issues. We don’t expect to gap, keeping multiple growers in stock. Time to start bulking up those hard herb displays for the holidays!
lettuce
Lettuce continues to be extremely tight and expensive as we head toward the end of the growing season – Josie’s finished up last week and Lakeside is seeing unprecedented low harvests. Romaine from Cal-Organic seems to be in the best shape. Romaine Heart prices continue to rise.
OrganicGirl Arugula is expected to be all but unavailable for the next several weeks as they transition to southern growing regions.
mushrooms
Crimini supplies are tight and getting prorated with every land. Will continue to be tight through the holidays but we have strong relationships with several vendors to cover your needs. Wild Mushrooms are still MIA this year due to severe drought conditions in the PNW and California. Download Earl’s Mushroom guides.
bell peppers
More product becoming available from the Coachella region and Tutti Frutti is winding up on the Central Coast.
hot peppers
Covilli expecting to start up with Hot Peppers in November!
onions
Yellow & Red Onions set to have a great price through the end of the year – set it and forget it!
Compostable Earth Bags in at the end of the month: A great, environment-smart solution for our bagged onion customers.
Extreme weather patterns in Mexico (hurricanes) caused a very limited supply of Green Onions, putting a strain on California’s growers. Prices set to remain high for now.
summer squash
Look for your Nature’s Pride Potatoes this week! Check out our social media for some potato content. Their brand new sorting, storage, and cooling facilities are set to spell an excellent Potato season into the holidays.
summer squash, cont.
Holiday supplies may be tight on Fingerling Potatoes, but we have a strong relationship with our growers and will secure all we can.
spinach
Cal-O Bunched Spinach is back for the fall and will continue through November!
sweet potatoes
Holiday pricing is on the way, starting early November!
tomatoes
Tutti Frutti Heirlooms are in great shape, solid supply until first frost. Covilli to supplement. Romas are all but unavailable after Divine Flavor lost their crop. Sourcing as many as possible, expected to be tight with intermittent gaps over the next month. Clusters are in better shape and carry a great price. Mixed Cherry Tomatoes from Whiskey Hill available for several weeks! Durst is wrapping up.
winter squash
As Tutti Frutti winds down, we will primarily carry Dwelley and Durst Winter Squash. May transition to Mexican Kabocha earlier than other varieties. Grab your Pumpkin Bins while supplies last!
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VEGUCATION CORNER
