BUYER'S GUIDE: 9th - 15th Oct
MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit
The Buy list: Granny Smiths, Royal Gala, NZ Hass Avocados, Bananas, Blueberries, Ruby Grapefruit, USA Red Seedless Grapes, Honeydews, Kiwifruit, Mandarins, NT Mangos, Nashi Pears, Blood Oranges, Pawpaw, New Season Peaches, Pineapples, Rockmelons, Seedless & Long Watermelons.
The Watch List: Figs (Price), Passionfruit (Price), Strawberries (Quality)
Market Insights: It is a good week for fruit, New Season Peaches are now available, eating 7/10. NZ & WA Hass Avocados are our main supply now- good quality and solid supply. Also in good supply Blueberries, Import Red Seedless Grapes, NT Mangos, NZ Kiwi, All Melons, Murcott Mandarins, Nashi Pears, Pawpaw & Papaya and Pineapples. WA & SA Strawberries are in good supply as the QLD season draws to a close and good quality NSW Mulberries available.
MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables
The Buy list: Artichokes, Green & White Aussie Asparagus, Green Beans, Broad Beans, Fresg Green Peas, Beetroot, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celery, Celeriac, Chicory, Eggplant, Edible Flowers, Baby, Large & Finger Fennel, NSW Herbs, Leeks, All Lettuce, Mushrooms, FRESH Soy Beans, Silverbeet, Sweet Potatoes, Red & Brown Onions and Zucchini.
The Watch List: Brussels Sprouts (Price), Red & Green Capsicums (Price)
Market Insights: Market has eased considerable on most vegetables lines. Tomatoes are drifting back slowly; quality is good with supply on the increase. Good supplies this week of FRESH QLD Soy Beans. It is a trial so there will be weeks when not available, expecting full supply this December. New season White Asparagus is available, the quality is excellent and the price less than the imported. All wet lines are at their best in quality and price.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Blueberries (NSW) * Grapes- red seedless (USA) * Mandarin (QLD) * Paw Paw (QLD) * Rockmelon (QLD)
Vegetable: Cauliflower (NSW) * Eggplant (QLD) * Green Beans (QLD) * Leek- large (NSW) * Mushrooms- No 2 (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Champagne melon (NT) * Longan (IMP) * Peach (NSW) * Mulberries (NSW)
Vegetable: Finger Fennel (NSW) * Halloween Pumpkin (NSW) * Heirloom Tomatoes (NSW) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW) * Soy Bean- fresh (New Season- QLD) * White Asparagus (New Season- VIC)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Not Available: Loquats * Purple Jester Potatoes
End of Season: Pomello
Short Supply: Starfruit (Carambola) * Strawberries - plate VIP
Expensive: Passionfruit
THE HUMAN CONNECTION
Q: How has Simon George & Sons changed over its 80 year history?
The food service industry is a demanding one and no matter where you fall on the supply chain (from farmer to front of house) having a passionate, strong team around you is the key ingredient for success. With this in mind, we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Simon George & Sons, St Peters management team. Over the last 12 months at St Peters we have cultivated a dynamic, passionate team who have the experience and the drive required to position Simon George & Sons as a market leader- who delivers both quality produce and a rewarding, positive customer experience.
ON THE GROUND:
Damian George: Director of Sydney Operations
Damian has a wealth of experience across all areas of the fruit and vegetable industry. Having worked in the wholesale fruit and veg business since he was 15, Damian’s extensive product knowledge and vast network of industry contacts offers our clients a unique advantage over the competition.
Stephen Quintano: Sales Manager
Stephen is a key member of the team. After 12 years working as a chef in Sydney and 30 years in the hospitality/food service industry; he not only appreciates good food, he understands the pressures of the kitchen and can offer valuable insights into menu planning and seasonal availability.
Angelique Soumaher: Sales Administration
Considered the rock of our Sales/Customer Service team, Angelique has been working in fruit and vegetable wholesale for just shy of a decade and knows everything there is to know about the administrational side of the business.
IN THE TRENCHES:
Murat Tasdemir: Operations Manager
Murat is a fairly recent addition to the Simon George & Sons team having come on board in the last few months. Murat’s ability to streamline and refine large scale operations makes him the ideal man to iron out the kinks and ensure our service is a market leader in efficiency and reliability.
Brett Marks: Floor Manager
Brett is a logistics man and it’s a good thing too, as he is responsible for making sure that a warehouse full of orders is picked, checked and delivered on time (by a fleet that can travel over 1600km in a single day).
BEHIND THE EMAILS:
Clare Smethurst: Marketing & Promotions
Trained as a journalist but sold out to advertising/marketing very early on. Since then I have had the pleasure of bring surrounded by gourmet food working on or alongside premium brands such as Qantas magazine, Qantas Club Lounges, delicious and Vogue Entertaining + Travel.
A: While many things have changed in the fruit and vegetable industry since 1927 – the guiding principles remain the same and despite a strong commitment to innovation, Simon George & Sons hasn’t lost sight of the core values of hard work, customer service, premium product and meaningful, long-term relationships that made us a market leader. While we may be a large-scale operation, being family owned and operated we have the freedom to focus on the things that make us different: trust, reliability, personal relationships, know-how, culture and communication. Lets hope the next 80 years are as rewarding.
BUYER'S GUIDE: 3rd Oct- 8th Oct
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Bethonga Pineapple (QLD) * Blueberries (NSW) * Kiwifruit (NZ) * Paw Paw- yellow (QLD) * Rhubarb (NSW)
Vegetable: Asparagus- medium (VIC) * Cos Lettuce- large (NSW) * Eggplant (QLD) * Green Peas (QLD) * Mushroom- no 2 (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Bell Apples (QLD) * Blood Oranges (QLD) * Champagne Melon (NT) * Honey Pears (QLD) * Loquats (NSW) * Pomegranate (IMP)
Vegetable: Edible Flowers (VIC/NSW) * Eggplant- seedless (NSW) * Purslane Lettuce (NSW) * Roman Beans (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
End of Season: Pommelo
Short Supply: Starfruit (carambola) * Strawberries- plate VIP
Expensive: Red Capsicum
Not Available: Guava * Heirloom tomatoes * Red veined sorrel
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 3rd Oct-8th Oct
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Gai Choy * Kachay * Luffas * Tamarind * Water Spinach
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell * Kaffir Limes * Pomelos
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Dragonfruit * Fuji Fruit * Guava * Longans * Lychee * Persimmon * Pomelos- red * Rambutan * Starfuit (Carambola) * Tamarillo (gold)