Robert Stark (center) of the East Hampton, NY, IGA, flanked by Dan McAllister and Greg Veneziano of Bozzuto’s Inc. The wholesale grocer’s fall show, known as Merchandising Marketplace 2012, was held Aug.

The grape harvest in the San Joaquin Valley of California this year started earlier for Columbine Vineyards in Delano, CA, than it did the previous two years — which were late. But “things have moved up earlier and earlier since the start of the season,” said Keith Andrew, sales manager.

“It seems like we are plowing through the varieties quickly, and what are normally mid-fall to late fall varieties are inching up towards August,” he said Aug. 8.

“The colored grapes are coming off very quickly on harvest,” he said. “They are coloring up all at once.”

CLOVIS, CA — California garlic has never been implicated in a foodborne illness, at least not to the knowledge of Robert (Bob) Ehn, chief executive officer and technical manager of the Garlic & Onion Research Advisory Board, here.

But the industry is not taking for granted that it could never happen, and growers, shippers and processors are proactively taking steps to minimize the chances that it ever will.

It’s an old-fashioned tale of supply and demand.

In April, California was hit with a freak hail storm that reduced the on-tree crop of peaches, plums and nectarines. Add to that an ongoing thinning of acreage over the past several years and decreased supplies of local summer fruit deals across the country, and demand is outstripping supply this summer for peaches, plums and nectarines.

To help inspire healthy menu options in chain restaurants, the California Strawberry Commission hosted a culinary workshop for select restaurant chain corporate chefs, menu developers and buyers. The two-and-a-half day event provided an in-depth look at the field-to-fork journey of California strawberries.

“Every year is different, and this year we are expecting the window [for Chilean avocados in the United States] to be from October through the end of March or early April,” said Xavier Equihua, executive director of the Chilean Avocado Importers Association.