May 3, 2016
 

 
YOUR LOCAL UPDATE.
Seashore has partnered with the region's best growers to provide you with premium locally-sourced commodities!

 

  

This year, we had the 6th mildest March since 1895. On occasion, the thermometer reminded us that despite this being a much milder-than-normal March, with the growing season as much as ten days to two weeks ahead of normal, there was still cold air that could arrive from the north. On 13 days in March the temperatures dipped to 25° or below at one or more locations. This made it tricky for our local farmers to get their tilling and planting started. What started as an early season was also curtailed by two weeks of cool weather that began on April 5th. Over-wintered produce such as spinach, leeks, and parsley have had a bit of a rough time over-wintering this year. Overall, we're probably about normal for the start of our local produce season. At this time last year, we were beginning a Jersey Fresh produce season two weeks later than normal following the coldest winter in 36 years. (source: Bill Walker, NJ Dept of Ag.)
  
Looking ahead: The warm days in April caused local peach trees , apple trees, and blueberry plants to bloom early-- only to be hit with two cold weeks with even colder nights. Local growers are assessing damage.

 
Currently Available:
 
Jersey Asparagus!
Sheppard Farms (Eastern Fresh Growers) Cedarville, NJ
Add it to your Mother's Day and Spring menus!
Jersey asparagus will be available through early June.

Baby Arugula, Baby Kale, Baby Spinach, & Spring Mix 
Dan Graiff Farms "Five Star" Newfield, NJ
(Food Service & Retail Packs / locally sourced May to Oct.)
 
Micro Greens, Pea Tendrils, & Wheat Grass 
ARC Greenhouses "McGregor's Greens" Shiloh, NJ / all year round!

Fresh Mushrooms
"MJB Mushrooms" Avondale, PA / available all year round!
Coming Soon: 
   
Mid May - Bok Choy, Cabbages, & Lettuces
  
Late May - Strawberries & Squash Blossoms
  

  

THE SOURCE.
Stay informed on how weather and other conditions across the country and the globe affect the quality, availability, and price of you fresh fruits and vegetables.

Blueberries:  Domestic production regions are finally seeing an increase in the harvests and availability out of California, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Good volumes reported this week. Central Mexico and Baja also continue to produce steadily. Availability has improved overall and quality has remained good in all areas.
 
Cantaloupes:  There are about another 2-3 weeks left of offshore melons and the dessert will be starting off small next week.

ALERT! Honey Dews:  Supplies are short and will be short for the next few weeks. Offshore dews are finishing up and will be done in the next 2-3 weeks; the desert will start off next week with light volumes.

ALERT! Iceberg Lettuce:  This market is on fire! Supplies will be light all week as demand exceeds supplies. Most shippers were sold out at the beginning of the week, prioritizing contracts. The Mother's Day pull is in effect. Defects continue to occur in the Santa Maria and Salinas growing regions. Defects include pale color, misshapen heads, lightweights, and insect damage. Weights are averaging 38- 42 pounds per case. Production in Salinas and Santa Maria is going to be light all week.

ALERT! Leaf Lettuces:  Demand exceeds supplies. Many shippers were sold out to begin the week. Rain, winds, and high heats are weather factors that have been a direct cause to Salinas and Santa Maria crops having multiple issues. Issues include: fringe burn, tip burn, insect damage, mildew, and lightweights. Expect pricing to be active all week. On romaine, outer leaves are not holding up well. Green and red leaf are having fringe and tip burn issues. All leaf items including romaine hearts will be tight in all growing regions for the entire week.

Strawberries:  Production is beginning to recover from recent rains in California. Projections show some increase this week. Quality has improved and should continue to improve with orders loading this week. The weather forecast is favorable for the early part of this week; there's an another chance of rain possible Friday and Saturday. Demand will slow down by mid-week as Mother's Day pull winds down for this season.

Stone Fruits:  California Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots are in good supply as production increases. Quality is being reported as excellent and sizes remain on the smaller side. The chance of rain later this week may slow down production, but growers are not expecting any adverse effects on quality. Sizing and volume will increase as new varieties are being harvested daily. Market prices have remained steady with some opportunities on smaller sized fruit. Plums are expected to start the week of 5/16.

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Customer Service- 609.345.3229

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I hope you found this communication informative.
Send your questions or comments to: LizG@seashoreeast.com