Good Grief!

This week’s edition of Ken Klein’s Market Report is here! Executive summary:

• Good deals on cantaloupes (if you eat ‘em fast) and blueberries (soon in bigger containers)
• High prices for asparagus and honeydew continue
• Florida corn, Georgia green beans, and California stone fruit are looking good

The Market Report, by Ken Klein
Klein’s Supermarket, 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, Philadelphia
Our Hours: M-F 8 AM to 8 PM; Sat. 8 AM to 8 PM; Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM

Greetings Food Lovers!

Introduction

According to a study released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, poor diet and inactivity caused 400,000 deaths in 2000, a 33 percent rise over 1990. If the trend continues, the government says that obesity could soon be the number one cause of preventable deaths. In the same period, tobacco related deaths rose less than nine percent to 435,000 deaths.

“We’re just too darn fat, ladies and gentlemen, and we’re going to do something about it,” said Tommy Thompson, Health and Human Services Secretary, at a news conference. “We’re so busy with our lives, we use fast foods more often than not. We don’t cook as a family anymore. We don’t exercise. As a result of that , we’re getting to darn fat.”. (Let’s all email Tommy Thompson and ask him how “we’re” going to do something about it?)

The CDC study is the latest in a line of research that documents weight gain in Americans. The results appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Well……… are you one of them? Now this is just in. A new study by the Boston University School of Medicine have shown that young people who shun dairy products to avoid calories actually appear to substantially increase their risk of becoming overweight. Youngsters have switched from consuming milk to soft drinks. Next time you visit a high school, check out the soda machines!

Market Report

Summer is getting closer! Like I have to tell anybody. But produce appearances are telling me that.

• Blueberries have begun harvesting in Georgia and North Carolina. Quality is reported to be very good. This week is the start of our blueberries to arrive in full pint containers. What does this mean? Your money will stretch! Yes! We will see that we get twice as much for the same price. The weather this spring has been very favorable for Blues. Anticipation of Jersey Blues to start in mid-June.
• Quality on strawberries from California is very good. Berries are arriving with less bruising and have very good color and flavor. Cooler weather has created tighter supplies and slightly higher prices.
• Stone fruit from California has been looking great! Larger sizes are more readily available now. There is a lot of good, high-colored fruit, and the sugar content has been better than the past few years due to the extremely warm weather. There is a good strong supply of peaches and nectarines, with plums starting to come in as well. Plenty of nice apricots are available. Cherries have good volume. This week we should see the real deal on the Bing Cherries with good dark red color.
• Grapes will continue to drop through next week. The drop in price has come slowly and in small increments due to the slow start from Mexico. This has mostly affected the red seedless, with few red grapes crossing out of Mexico due to light color and low sugar. Another week on the vines should make a big difference. On white seedless, the best prices are on the Perlettes (small like a pearl). Thompson seedless are a few weeks away from starting.
• The market for cantaloupes is severely depressed this week. The offshore melon harvest continued into this week. Texas and California are in full production, plus there is a huge supply of “you better eat them quick or they will get overripe.” Athena melons arrived from Florida, so the price of Lopes fell through the floor. Quality seems to be good. This drop will only last till the shippers stop pushing the goods.
• Honeydews are shipping from Southern California, Arizona, and Southern Texas. Prices are still somewhat high, and the fruit cuts firm. In another month, the real thing will arrive at your favorite store.
• Asparagus has begun to wind down for the season. Supply has tightened and the demand is strong. You know what that means: higher prices are back. Remember that Washington State had a major storm that destroyed the crop.
• Brussels sprout season is quickly coming to the end. Is it true that you only ate them when your mother forced them on you with ice cream for desert! Expect a one to two month gap in supply.
• Green beans from Georgia are coming in with outstanding quality.
• Iceberg lettuce continues to arrive “heavy” with good color. Romaine and green and red leaf lettuce arriving from California are fantastic. There is a nice supply of leaf lettuce from Jersey. Be careful with this. The soil is sandy. This makes the product a time-consuming washing opportunity.
• On the subject of New Jersey, the product is outstanding so far. Weather this spring has been ideal for growing . Asparagus is coming in this week. Herbs are now local, no longer a cross country trip.
• Florida sweet corn is in great supply. Quality is great with nice full ears, crisp sweet taste. It is a true summer taste.

Have a Fruitful Week!