Supplies arrive in spite of ban

Press, 13 March 1986, Page 15

Supplies arrive in spite of ban

A ban on freight by the inter-island ferries cooks and stewards last week did not affect supplies to a Christchurch market, Market Gardeners, Ltd, this week.

Kumara was the only main line of vegetable normally supplied by North Island growers that was hit by the industrial dispute, said the manager, Mr Ron Bainbridge, yesterday.

Christchurch markets did not start receiving citrus fruit from the North Island growers until about April. Better quantities of winter vegetables are being supplied. Parsnips fetched between $3 and $6 a 10kg bag.

Pumpkins were starting to become available in larger quantities, fetching between 15c and 25c a kg depending on the variety. Brussels sprouts from Oamaru were well supplied, fetching between $6 and $7 a 7kg bag. Broccoli from Canterbury and Oamaru was less well supplied, selling for up to $8 a 4kg box.

Sweetcorn was still a good buy, as it remained at the peak of its season. A cob cost between 10 and 15c;

The mild wet temperatures in Canterbury should help stimulate vegetable growth as long it did not change to a southerly, said Mr Bainbridge.

Potatoes, which were short two weeks ago, were now slightly oversupplied, he said. The most popular varieties seemed to be Rua and Ham Hardy. They fetched $1.30 a skg bag.

Cabbages and lettuces were well supplied, fetching between $3 and $4 a bag of eight.

Cauliflowers were in short supply, as they were in between crops and would not reach their peak until the end of the month. Cauliflowers were difficult to grow in the summer, said Mr Bainbridge.

Tomatoes have been expensive since Christmas because the cold wet weather has meant they have not had a chance to ripen properly. They are expected to be at their peak in about two weeks.

Small stocks of field mushrooms were now available, fetching up to $8 a kg. Cultivated mushrooms fetched up to $4 a kg. The mushrooms were a product of the heavy dewy nights at this time of year, said Mr Bainbridge. Leeks were still at the beginning of their season

and remained expensive, fetching up to $lO.BO a dozen bunches.

Some salad vegetables were still stocked. Cucumbers were plentiful, fetching between 25c and 40c each. Celery was not well stocked because it was between growing seasons. Prices were high, ranging from between $5 and $l4 a box.

Canterbury-grown Cox’s Orange apples were plentiful, fetching up to $1.25 a kg. New Zealand Bon Cretians bottling pears were also abundantly supplied. Imported fruit continued to supplement the between season New Zealand shortage.

Californian lemons, oranges, and grapefruit were in stock. Australian grapefruit and grapes were also available. The Californian grapefruit fetched up to $25 a carton, $4 more than the

Australian variety. New Zealand lemons were fairly expensive, fetching between $4l and $42 an 18kg carton. New Zealand lemons have only started their season and were still in short supply. Bananas from Ecuador were popular, fetching up to $23.50 a case. Watermelons were still plentiful and cheap, fetching between 50 cents and 60 cents a kg. Today’s recipe PARSNIP PATTIES 2 cups cooked and mashed parsnips 1 cup flour 1 egg Method: Mix altogether, stir in 1 tspn baking powder. The batter should be stiff. Fry in hot oil until golden brown, makes about 12 to 14 patties. Serve with tomato relish and a green salad.