BEST IN SEASON

BEST IN SEASON

“BLUEBERRIES ARE BEING FRESHLY PICKED AND ARE IN SEASON THROUGH TO APRIL.”

Blueberries

Blueberries are being freshly picked and are in season through to April, with prices starting to fall gradually.

A full range of tomatoes are coming into good supply and consumer demand will be high. Keep tomatoes well-merchandised as this can influence customers to purchase large volumes. Also extremely high on the consumer demand list are avocados, which are beautiful eating right now – keep well stocked!

Snow peas

Snow peas are in their peak season and these beauties are a popular addition to summer salads, adding texture and crunch.

Eggplant and Beetroot

Eggplant and beetroot are available year-round, however they become most plentiful from November through until autumn/winter.

Asparagus

Asparagus The main New Zealand asparagus crop is available now and this highly seasonal vegetable is only around from October to January. Take every opportunity to feature and look out for purple asparagus this month, which will add colour and interest to your display. What to look for: Fresh asparagus will sound squeaky when rubbed – if it doesn’t make this sound, it’s not fresh. Choose straight, firm and green stems with trimmed ends and a minimum of white butts. Storage/handling: Keep the bottom of asparagus stalks moist and merchandise standing up to create an attractive, eye-catching display. Nutrition: Asparagus is a good source of folate, which helps with growth and development. It also contains niacin and riboflavin for healthy skin and thiamin for healthy heart, brain and nerve function.

Strawberries

Approximately 65% of strawberry plantings are in the greater Auckland region, with 15% in the Waikato, and the remainder spread across the rest of New Zealand. Strawberries hit an intense peak in mid-November/early-December – at the same time consumer demand for them skyrockets. Be sure to keep a good, fresh supply of strawberries while they are in peak season, especially in the lead-up to Christmas. What to look for: Choose strawberries that are bright red in colour. If they are still white in places, they have been picked too early. Storage/handling: All berries are highly perishable and need to be handled extremely carefully. Ideally, strawberries should be displayed under refrigeration unless you are moving large volumes and restocking regularly. Nutrition: Strawberries are a good source of Vitamin C which supports immunity. They also contain potassium for healthy fluid and mineral balance.

Potatoes

Although available all year-round, freshly dug crops of new season potatoes can be purchased from late August to February. New Zealand is a nation of potato lovers, with 97% of the population eating them and we efficiently produce enough both for ourselves and for export. What to look for: New potatoes are immature potatoes harvested during spring and summer. Their skins are generally thinner and flakier than skins on older potatoes. Ensure they are firm and unblemished, avoiding any with green skin. Storage/handling: Potatoes prefer cool, dark, dry conditions. Do not refrigerate as this can change the flavour.

Nutrition: Potatoes contain dietary fibre which helps aid healthy digestion, pantothenic acid for release of energy from fats and magnesium which supports mental wellbeing.