Palmer's Market Produce Seasonal Update :

1. California peaches, plums, nectarines are in plentiful supply. Quality and flavor are great. Variety seems endless with white & yellow flesh fruit as well as the many different kinds of Pluots( plum & apricots hybrids).

2. California Cherries are finishing for the season prematurely due to heavy rains. Washington state is not ready yet so expect a 2-3 week gap in supplies.

3. California melon harvest is under way. Cantaloupes & honeydews are arriving daily with quality and flavor getting better with each delivery. The best variety melons just coming into season are : Sharlyns, Orange flesh and Crenshaws.

4. California red & green Seedless grapes being harvested now are of the Perlette variety. These tend to be smaller in size and are a tart, sweet flavor. Future shipments will yield better size, color and flavor

5 Majority of veggies are being harvested from the South right now and will continue to come up the East Coast thru out early summer. Peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans and squashes are in plentiful supply.

6. Blueberries are here from New Jersey. " Wow" is the word I would use to describe them. The season has started early due to the warm weather . Large berries, sweet and fresh.

7. Seedless Watermelon is so sweet. Harvesting from Florida and Georgia has given us deep red flesh and crunchy sweet texture.

Native Produce/Organics

Native hot house grown Tomatoes have been awesome from Ben March Farms in Bethlehem, Ct.. We can expect native Butter & Sugar corn right after the 4th of July. Native Strawberries from Pell Farms in Somers, Ct. have been fantastic. The season is coming to an end very shortly. We can expect native Blueberries from Dzen farms in South Windsor, Ct. by months end. We've had native Red & Green leaf , Romaine, Boston lettuces and Spinach for a couple of weeks now. Quality is great and we enjoy supporting our local farmers each season. Look forward to a full cornucopia of native fruits and vegetables by the end of June.

Palmers Produce Manager Mike Maresca's Favorite Produce Picks:

1. California variety melons; Sharlyns ( honeydew like inner flesh, super sweet), Orange flesh ( super sweet version of cantaloupe) and Crenshaws with their sweet, musky flavor.

2. Washington State Bing Cherries ( well worth the wait ) with their deep mahogany color, bursting with flavor.

3. Butter & Sugar corn. Tiny super sweet kernels and better sizing with each delivery.

4. Georgia & Carolina Peaches have been so sweet so early on in the season. Look for the " Freestone variety" by months end. This will be the fruit that naturally comes off the pit.

5. Native Beefsteak Tomatoes from Ben March Farms. True garden tomato flavor. The best with fresh mozzarella, basil and olive oil.