Specialty grapes are giving shoppers more reasons to explore the grape display. The category has expanded well beyond traditional red, green and black seedless, with unique varieties offering distinctive flavors, textures and colors. For retailers, they’re an opportunity to bring a little discovery to the produce department. Three standouts right now: 

Bronx Seedless : A longtime specialty favorite, Bronx Seedless grapes have a beautiful blush that develops as the fruit ripens. Expect a juicy, candy-like sweetness and a satisfying crunch. 

Heirloom Thompson Seedless: This old-fashioned variety is a bit of a rarity these days. Grown by Marian Farms, it offers the sweetness and flavor shoppers love, with a beautiful amber-green appearance and a story that makes it stand out from the everyday grape. This variety is the traditional grape for all-purpose raisins that we know and love. Bonus: these are certified Biodynamic! 

Thomcord: A Thompson Seedless × Concord cross, Thomcord brings a deeper, more pronounced grape flavor while keeping the seedless, easy-eating quality shoppers love. 

Together, these varieties offer an easy way to add color, curiosity and a little something different to the grape set. 

New & Exciting!

Apple: A great mix of early-season favorites is coming in, from crisp and sweet to beautifully tart and complex. There’s plenty of variety to keep apple displays interesting as we transition into fall. 

• Connell Red: Heirloom variety with crisp, juicy and sweet, with a balanced flavor
• Pink Pearl (right): Pretty inside and out, Pink Pearl apples have a rosy-pink flesh and a distinctive sweet-tart flavor.
• Gravenstein: This beloved California heirloom has a crisp texture and wonderfully complex sweet-tart flavor that shines in fresh and cooked applications.
• Sweetie: Cuyama Orchard’s Sweetie apples bring a naturally sweet, crisp bite with a hint of tartness. A great snacking apple with plenty of crunch and flavor.

Finger Lime (left): Edulis Gardens’ finger limes are a fun new addition, packed with tiny, juicy pearls that burst with bright, tangy citrus flavor. Vegan caviar! 

Fresh Jujube: The first Jujubes are coming from Rock Front Ranch. Often called “Chinese dates,” jujubes start off crisp like apples and ripen into chewy, date-like treats—nutritious, snackable, and long celebrated in traditional medicine 

Hard Squash: Beloved grower, Veliz Organic Farm has started up with Butternut (right) and Delicata. 

Kelly Grape: Green seedless variety with large berry, sweet flavor and nice crunch! Available in totes and pouches. 

Quince: Fragrant, floral and naturally tart, this old-fashioned fruit transforms when cooked, developing a beautiful rosy color and rich, honeyed flavor. 

Sugar Pie Pumpkin: Coming soon! 

Turmeric: Back after an extended gap! Fresh turmeric has returned with its vibrant golden color and earthy, peppery flavor. Long valued for its culinary and traditional medicinal uses, it’s a versatile specialty item for juices, cooking and wellness-focused displays. 

Promotable

Bronx Grape (right): Nandamuri Farm is carrying on the Bronx Seedless grape program from Lagier Ranches, with the same 8 lb, 8-count fiber clamshells as in years past. These seedless grapes are known for their beautiful pale green to rosy pink color and sweet, juicy almost candied flavor. Worth every penny. 

California Keitt Mango: Big mango energy! Keitt mangoes are prized for their silky-smooth, low-fiber flesh and exceptionally sweet, rich flavor. Unlike most mangoes, they stay green even when fully ripe. Look for them through October. 

Heirloom Thompson Grape: From Marian Farms, this heirloom Thompson grape is a rare find—intensely sweet, juicy and completely seedless, with beautiful amber-green fruit. An old variety that is rarely grown today, it’s packed in distinctive white paper totes that let its gorgeous color shine. The season is expected to go another month. 

Heirloom Tomato: Mixed-variety packs are available alongside straight packs of Brandywine, Purple Cherokee, Marvel Stripe and Orange Blossom. A colorful lineup of distinctive shapes, colors and rich summer flavor makes these an eye-catching addition to the tomato display. 

Japanese Eggplant: Japanese eggplant from Rundle Family Farms is readily available. With its slender shape, tender skin and mild, creamy texture, it’s an easy addition to late-summer displays and works beautifully grilled, roasted or stir-fried. Just in time for Labor Day BBQs! 

Jalapeno: Turn up the heat! 🔥 Red and green jalapeños from Rundle Family Farms are plentiful, offering plenty of options for spicy displays, fresh salsas and more. 

New Crop Potato: New crop russets and yellow potatoes are in good supply and ready to promote. Fresh, earthy flavor and tender texture make them an easy sell for everything from roasting and grilling to classic mashed potatoes. 

Passionfruit: Steady with very good availability. With its intensely aromatic, sweet-tart pulp and unmistakably tropical flavor, what’s not to love about this tropical fruit?  We love eating it fresh, but passionfruit also works well in desserts, such as passionfruit curd or sorbet), Also great for smoothies, salad dressings and drinks!  Tip: Passionfruit pulp freezes beautifully! Capture tropical paradise for a dreary winter day. 

Pear: Pear season is picking up, with red Starkrimson, Bartletts and a wide selection of Asian pears available. Plenty of variety to play with, whether you’re looking for classic, juicy pears or something crisp and extra-refreshing. 

Plum: Santa Rosa and Italian Sugar plums are still going through the month. 

Limited

Artichoke 

Asparagus: Gapping 

Blackberry: Limited but steady pricing. Mexico will come on in a few weeks. 

Hass Avocado: Many domestic growers are done; the season is winding up earlier than anticipated.  

English Cucumber: Gapping 

Grapefruit: Limited 

Herb: Chives and Marjoram are limited 

Makrut Lime Leaves: None available 

Persian Cucumber: Gapping 

Strawberry: Limited 

Romaneso: Limited 

Stonefruit: Yellow Peach will continue through September, but  Yellow Nectarine is barely  still going, and limited to one-layer boutique pack.  Large Red Plums and most Pluots are nearly done. Black plums will go for a few more weeks, if we’re lucky.  

Sunburst Squash: Very short season due to quality 

Zucchini: Local supply is gapping; Mexican-grown is extremely limited. 

Done for the Season 

Galia Melon 

Hami Melon 

Orchid Melon 

Purple Bell Pepper