Pit Stop for Summer’s Best Fruit

Stone fruit season is one of the most exciting times of year—right when the weather heats up, juicy peaches, nectarines, and plums start coming in at their peak.

All stone fruits are part of the Prunus family and are defined by their single hard pit, or “stone,” in the center of the fruit. This group includes peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, and cherries, along with popular hybrids like pluots, plumcots, and apriums that blend characteristics of different fruits for unique flavor and texture.

Fun Fact: Nectarines and peaches are basically the same fruit genetically—nectarines just have a recessive gene for smooth skin.

Also known as drupes, stone fruits have thin skins, soft, sweet flesh, and a naturally juicy bite. They typically run from spring through early fall, with cherries often kicking off the season. Most varieties of stone fruit originated in Asia, with peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums all originating in China.

One thing that makes stone fruit season exciting is the fantastic selection, with fun hybrids and new varieties popping up all the time. This can make you appreciate the season all the more, as some of our favorite varieties are only around for a short while, sometimes only a few days, such as Red Line White Nectarines and the beloved Nectaplum.

Reach out to your Account Manager to lock in your preferred stone fruit varieties before they’re gone!

New & Exciting!

Black Mission Fig: A seasonal favorite! Prized for their rich sweetness, jammy texture, and deep purple skin. The breba crop is the early-season crop that develops on last year’s wood and typically only lasts for a short window. There will be a gap before the main crop starts up with volume typically late July-August.

Bicolor Corn: The first bicolor corn of the season has arrived, bringing the sweet, crisp flavor that signals the start of summer.

Celery: California celery is starting up; prices are finally coming down.

Plum: Black Splendor and Red Showtime and Santa Rosa plums are here bringing vibrant color and juicy, sweet-tart flavor.

Purple Beans: Purple beans add eye-catching color to the produce department while offering the same crisp texture and fresh flavor as traditional green beans.

Shishito Pepper: Loved for their mild, slightly sweet flavor and thin skin. Great for grilling or a quick roast. Fun Fact: 1 in 10 peppers can be unexpectedly spicy!

Spring Shallot: Refined, subtly sweet, delicate and the most popular allium to date. We can’t stock these fast enough!

Watermelon: Coming soon! Mini Seedless and Full-Size Seedless bins from Rundle Family Farms are starting first, followed by bins of Seeded and black skin varieties. Known for growing the BEST tasting watermelon, this grower has a loyal following season after season.

Promotable

Blackberry: California-grown berries are starting to come on in volume. Mimi’s Organics blackberries are packed with bold, juicy flavor, balancing bright acidity with sweetness in every bite. Their beautiful glossy appearance make them a standout addition to any summer fruit display. We love this family/woman-owned farm’s berries!

Blueberry: You haven’t tasted blueberries until you’ve tried Sierra Cascade’s berries. Their heirloom highbush varieties are picked at the peak of ripeness. The result is a berry that is reliably sweet, plump and full of flavor. That consistency, season after season, has earned this Chico based grower a loyal following. Available in an eco-friendly 10-pound volume-fill case or standard 12 x 11-ounce and12 x 6-ounce clamshells.

English Hot House Cucumber: We’re seeing strong volume and sharp pricing on English ‘cukes. Perfect for summer displays and salad season!

Grape: California Red and Green Seedless grapes are abundant and ripe for promotion. Both varieties are eating great—crisp and sweet!

Green Bell Pepper: Readily available from Rundle Family Farms, with excellent quality and fresh, bright flavor.

Green Little Gem Lettuce: Crisp, sweet, and tender with a compact crunch that makes it perfect for salads or roasting/grilling whole!  This hearty lettuce is the real MVP for handling creamy dressings!

Heirloom Tomato: Mexican-grown availability is improving, more volume expected.

Melon: Honeydew, Cantaloupe, Honeysaurus, Dino Melons oh my! Plenty of sweet, summer melons in all sizes.

Soft Squash: Zucchini supply is steady; prices are coming down. Check out Gold Zucchini, Sunburst and Mix Medley packs to round out your summer squash displays!

Stonefruit: Stone fruit season is starting to hit its stride with peaches and nectarines. Yellow fruit is seeing good volume with a mix of standout Masumoto varieties and more value-driven Boldt and Valley Pride options. Red Line white nectarines add a fun twist: a red line runs through the flesh in every piece of fruit. Plenty of sizes and labels to fill your stonefruit needs! Don’t overlook the Cot-n-Candy white apricots! This variety has white flesh/golden skin, incredibly sweet and aromatic flavor, and freestone pits.

Limited

Apple: Honeycrisp and Sugarbee

Artichoke

Cherry: Winding down

Globe Eggplant

Jalapeno: Rundle peppers are gapping; the peppers need more time in the field. More to come!

Lemon & Meyer Lemon

Navel Orange

Raspberry

Romaine Heart

Slicer Cucumber

Strawberry

Snap Pea: Still very limited; we’re bringing in all we can.

Tomato: Cherry and Roma remain limited.

Done for the Season

California-grown Asparagus

Black Sapote

Green Garlic

Kabocha Squash

Loquat

Pakistan Mulberry

Spaghetti Squash