Sylvain Charlebois: Summer Produce Should Mean Better Prices, Not Ripoffs

Commentary
When Canadian-grown fruits and vegetables reach the market—typically from June to October—prices become much more stable. Historically, during this window, price fluctuations, the up-and-down swings at the checkout, are about half as volatile as the rest of the year, thanks to seasonal abundance and shorter, domestic supply chains.
But in today’s global market, that seasonal advantage is easier to miss, and sometimes even manipulated. With so many fruits and vegetables imported year-round, it’s harder for shoppers to recognize when prices should naturally drop due to local supply. Still, our food culture and consumer instincts remain tied to seasonal cues. Strawberries, for instance, are a symbolic summer staple. Even though other crops ripen earlier, strawberries often serve as nature’s announcement that summer has begun….