Hot news: Southern California Hatch green chile sales start Thursday

Can’t wait for your Hatch green chile to arrive? I mean, REALLY can’t wait? Melissa’s, the specialty produce company, is getting a jump on the hot-pod competition with its chiles starting to appear Thursday in select Southern California stores such as Bristol Farms, Gelson’s and some Sprouts. By this weekend, the chiles should be in all of them.

While most Hatch chiles won’t be delivered for roasting until Aug. 10, Melissa’s spokesman Robert Schueller wrote in an email: “Its been a hot summer everywhere... We are blessed early!” Melissa’s sells only certified Hatch-grown chiles. Watch their Facebook page for updates.

Once early August rolls around, there will be more chiles available. Southern California stalwart El Rey Farms, which delivers to La Puente High School, is already taking phone orders, for delivery starting Aug. 10. Albertsons grocery stores have already scheduled their chile roasts as well, starting Saturday. Some Ralphs stores will be roasting as well, starting Aug. 10.

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