Market Report- Week Beginning October 14th, 2024
Thanksgiving may be in the rearview mirror, but fall is just hitting its stride. Time to swap those flip-flops for boots, grab your sweaters, and dive into the cozy comfort of autumn’s finest produce!
Blood Oranges & Kumquats – Citrus Royalty
Blood oranges from Australia have arrived, and they’re putting on quite the show—vivid red, bursting with flavor, and making everything else look a little bit dull. Kumquats are also here to add their unique tangy twist. Pro tip: A little kumquat can make a big difference in both dishes and cocktails.
Winter Squashes – Fall’s Heavyweights
If fall had a mascot, it would be a squash. Butternut, Buttercup, Delicata, Pepper, and Spaghetti Squash are rolling in like the true heavy hitters they are. Roasted, puréed, or even tossed in a salad—these squashes can do it all. Warm, rich, and versatile, they’ll have you rethinking what “comfort food” really means.
Ontario Potatoes – The Unsung Heroes
Ontario Potatoes are hitting the market with top-notch quality! You know the drill—mash them, fry them, or roast them, these local spuds are reliable, delicious, and in excellent shape. Heads up: Kennebec Potatoes are making their fall debut soon, so stay tuned for that golden goodness.
Apples – The Crown Jewels of the Season
Local apples are having their moment in the spotlight, and they’re a must-have right now. Gala, Northern Spy, and Courtland Apples are the royal trio of flavor and price. Whether you're snacking, pie-baking, or pressing cider, these beauties are ready for anything.
Berry Redemption
After a rocky start, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries are back in business and tasting great. Strawberries are catching up too. If you’ve been holding out for better berries, now’s the time to get in on the action
Honey Gold Pineapples & Turkish Figs – Tropical and Indulgent
Honey Gold Pineapples continue to live up to their name, bringing a hit of tropical sweetness to your fall menus. And Turkish Figs? Still crushing it. These figs are rich, jammy, and perfect for fall cheeseboards or a sneaky dessert upgrade.
Root Vegetables – Unearthing Seasonal Goodness
Beets, carrots, and radishes are thriving right now, with our friends at Denboer Farms continuing to bring in stellar bunched carrots and radishes. With the first frost looming, these gems won’t be around forever. Get them now, toss them in your fall soups or roast them up with a little olive oil and thyme. Trust me, your oven’s going to love them.
Joe’s market insights
- We’re all-in on Asparagus from Mexico and Peru now, but those air freight costs are keeping prices high. The quality, though? Still top-shelf.
- Ontario Green Beans are hanging on by a thread, but a heavy frost could wrap things up soon. Wax beans are hit or miss, so grab them while they’re good.
- Wet weather has given local Broccoli and Cauliflower a tough time, so we’re sticking with U.S. supplies for consistency. Fingers crossed we can switch back to local soon.
- Avocado prices are finally easing up (hallelujah!), but Limes are still on an upward trend. The rest of the citrus world is pretty steady, though, so no need to panic.
- Here’s the sad truth— Local Corn season is officially over. The last few bags of Welsh Bros Corn are in our coolers, so snag them while you can. It’ll be a long wait until next year’s harvest!
As the temperatures drop, it’s time to embrace heartier dishes. Apples, winter squashes, root vegetables, they’re all ready to inspire those fall comfort foods.
Keep an eye on our social media for updates and new arrivals that’ll help you make the most of what fall has to offer.
Let’s celebrate the harvest and keep the flavors of fall rolling!