A Market Update

Finally! Though a few farms have had thundershowers resulting in excessive rain, most have stayed reasonably dry. It's been hot, for sure, but I'd rather have it hot than wet. And the worse scenario is wet and hot.

But the weather pattern over the last three weeks has been very good for the most part, and one can easily tell simply by eating the fruit--it's sweet and well-flavored, not full of water and bland tasting.I teach all buyers who want to know how to test for the highest quality to bite the fruit before committing to buying it. Never buy only with your eye. One's tongue holds the right testing device.

We're seeing increased volume on the Market, and that's a good thing because demand has increased, and many buyers have had difficulty securing enough produce. And as I said, quality has improved significantly.

Blueberries will likely be in short supply before what is normally the end of blueberry season. An early start means an early finish. Now is the time to make sure your grower(s) will keep you on their list of preferred buyers. Loyalty to your grower(s) and good rapport with them will work wonders when supplies tighten and only a grower's better customers get the day's pick.

Freestone peaches will likely arrive this week with Redhaven being harvested. The first pick will likely have a fair number of split pits, so keep that in mind. Still, the dry weather has concentrated flavor and sugar, and hopefully, we'll have an excellent quality harvest. Then it's off to the races! Peaches have always made the Market because it's a crop that does well here consistently. We have a very old saying here: "Nothing beats a Michigan peach!"

Sweet corn is almost (not quite) abundant now, and the transition from the early varieties with small ears and variable flavor qualities to main season ones has begun. I'll devote an entire posting to sweet corn soon.

Check our "what's available page" on the web site for more information. And remember: Support your local everything."