Spring produce is arriving
Early‑spring markets are starting to show asparagus, peas, greens and strawberries—items likely to be the best values as the season ramps up and local stands reopen. Farmers‑market 'seconds' and in‑season buys remain the easiest way to stretch a produce budget. (brownfieldagnews.com) (totalfarmmarketing.com)
Fresno shipping‑point data from early March showed green asparagus large‑bunch prices mostly $23.75–$25.75 per 11‑lb carton and standard bunches $20.75–$22.75, with demand described as fairly light. (indexbox.io)) Industry reports note Mexican asparagus is at or just past its seasonal peak, with volumes expected to stay steady through March and decline in early April while Easter demand could double. (seashoreeast.com)) USDA shipping‑point reports list 8×1‑lb flats of strawberries from Mexico near $4.00–$6.00 per flat and Oxnard district flats trading roughly $5.00–$10.00 per flat in recent weekly market notes. (ams.usda.gov)) Grower market bulletins say Salinas and Watsonville harvests began several weeks ahead of schedule this spring, increasing California and Baja volumes and exerting downward pressure on wholesale strawberry prices. (seashoreeast.com)) Extension and farm‑program guidance defines “seconds” as cosmetically imperfect fruit and vegetables that retain eating quality and nutrition, and many farms sell those items at a discount or divert them to processors, farm‑boxes, or food‑bank channels. (canr.msu.edu)) The Niles Fremont Farmers Market runs Saturdays year‑round, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Niles Town Plaza (37482 Niles Blvd), providing a nearby venue where vendors commonly move early‑season surpluses and sometimes offer seconds tables. (foragersmarket.org)) Industry newsletters warn that recent frost and port congestion in Central America have tightened sugar‑snap and snow pea supplies this month, with limited volumes expected until U.S. production ramps over the next several weeks. (libertyfruit.com))
