6 to 12 January 2020


Despite the drought and recent fires, there is still a good supply of fresh fruit and vegetables and flowers available at your local greengrocer and florist. Growing premium fresh fruit and vegetables under these extreme weather conditions is not without its difficulties and some growers are experiencing considerable hardship. The best way we can all support our growers is to buy fresh and support local businesses.

FRUIT

FruitMid-season varieties of peaches and nectarines are aromatic and extremely scrumptious. Both white and yellow-fleshed stonefruit are available. Nectarines and peaches are $4-$12 a kilo, depending on variety and size. This poached spiced summer fruits recipes is a delightful way to serve up summer stonefruit chilled or warm.

Juicy and plump with a sweet-tangy flavour, early plums varieties are a good quality and a choice buy at $3-$10 a kilo. There are several varieties to enjoy currently. This plum, watercress, prosciutto & goat cheese salad – use the plums to add sweetness and a delightful fresh tang to a salad.

Bananas are top value at $2.50-$3 a kilo. Keep kids cool with these icy treats Banana & Chocolate Smoothie Pops the recipe makes 10.

Mangoes from Mareeba continue to be super good value and quality to match at $1.80-$3.50 each. Mangoes are delicious used in summer salads. Try this easy mango & chicken salad with minted yoghurt.

Snap up sweet eating late-season cherries. Cherries are coming from South Australia, Tasmanian and Victoria. Cherries are superb quality with a fabulous shelf life and expect to pay $20-$40 a kilo, depending on variety and size.

There’s nothing like a bunch of crisp chilled, glistening grapes as a snack or to complement a rich cheese platter or salad this grape, leafy greens & pine nut salad is quick and easy to make. Select from Menindee Black Sapphire and sweet celebration seedless for $6-$20 a kilo, depending on variety and try roasting up a bunch.

Berries are well supplied, so grab a few punnets this week, blueberries at $2.50-$3.50, raspberries are $2.50-$6, Victorian strawberries are $1.50-$3 and blackberries are $5-$6. Berries are highly perishable, so use within 1-2 days of purchasing for maximum quality. Poached berries with easy pancakes – here this a way to start your day deliciously.

Luscious, juicy and refresh lychees are a summer favourite. This week lychees are available at your local greengrocer for $15-$40 a kilo. 100g of lychee flesh provides the recommended dietary intake of vitamin C for a day. Team with tropical tasting papaya at $3-$6 a kilo and juicy limes at 60¢-$1 each. Look for bulk buys.

Pick up extra sweet rockmelon for $4-$6 each, depending on size. Alternatively, smaller sized mini lee watermelons, weighing around 2-3 kilos each are ultra-sweet expect to pay $2.50 a kilo.

Avocados are a bargain at $2-$4 each. Stay hydrated and on track with tour health goals with this satisfying avocado & banana 'spinach smuggler' smoothie.

VEGETABLES

VegetablesSummertime is the best time to enjoy locally grown eggplants. Versatile eggplants can be enjoyed roasted, grilled, barbecued, fried or baked. Eggplants are $2-$5 a kilo.

Summer is the peak time for richly flavoured tomatoes. With so many different varieties to now available, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a range of tomatoes with different shapes, colours, textures and flavours. Truss tomatoes are a particularly good buy at $2.50-$4 a kilo. These Basil, Spinach & Olive Pesto, Ricotta & Tomato Bruschetta make a tasty lunch.

Golden cobs of sweetcorn are a top buy at 70c - $1.50 a cob. Add sweetcorn to fritters, salads or burgers. This Tex Mex sweetcorn, tomato & black bean salad is a tasty way to enjoy fresh corn over summer.

Sydney grown Cos lettuce is a top buy this week at $2-$3 ahead. Add some crunch to your salads with crisp Cos lettuce.

Zucchinis are a breeze to prepare. No need to peel, simply slice, dice or grate. Try this tasty salad Char-Grilled Zucchini, Rocket & Prosciutto Salad Zucchinis are the thriftiest buy at $3-$5 a kilo, depending on size.

Broccoli from Victoria is a great buy at $3.50-$5 a kilo.

FLOWERS

FlowersBright up your home or office desk with flowering gum, sunflowers, hydrangea, lisianthus, zinnia, dahlias, pineapple lilies, local roses, bouvardia, celosia, scabiosa tuberose, zinnia, oriental lilies, water lilies, amaranthus, lupins, Queen Ann’s lace and lotus pods and a super range of greenery. To obtain the maximum vase life, remember to trim the stems and refresh the water every 2 days.

Prices quoted in this report are only relevant for the week of the report. All prices are estimates only as prices vary depending on variety, size and quality of produce and the trading area. For further information please contact Sue Dodd, Marketing Consultant on 02 9325 6200.



Published On 2020-01-08 17:25:00

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