Market Notes
February 8th , 2024
A MIGHTY WET WIND
The west coast got hit hard the past five days and many crops have suffered from the winds and the water left by torrential rains. From a specialty point of view, arugula was amongst the hardest hit. Both conventional and organic were wiped out in many areas of Yuma and that will be a three to four week recovery. Baby lettuces and root tops were underwater but survived. These won’t be the hardiest harvests and a baby beet top may wither while a bottom baby lettuce leaf sags but aside from that we are good. Tomatoes and peppers got blown all about and while not trampled this reduces yield and creates funny shapes. Radicchio and frisee seem to be okay and the very pleasant weather patterns growing areas are currently enjoying this should clear up quickly. There will be more damage reports to follow but this is what we know now.
VALENTINE’S DAY #2
Red endive because it works, Arkansas black apples because there are red and we have them, Tamarillos because they are shaped like a heart, Red currant berries because we can’t find any, red edible roses because you can’t find anything nicer, red Fresno peppers because they are available and cheap, red potatoes because you can scoop out the centers and put more red things in it, baby red beets, because they stay red when you cook them, red teardrop tomatoes, because they are abundant, red oranges because you can, red starfruit because you can dye it red and everyone will ask where you got red starfruit, and finally red mustard micro greens because it actually looks red. Finally we suggest some murine so the next day you can “get the red out”.
FINGER LIME OUT FOR A TIME
It’s official, finer limes have begun their winter hiatus, but it is a restless hibernation. While the next real flush of crop is about four months away, we always have a late winter mini-crop. A harvestable amount of inner fruits ripen up and for about three weeks we have shippable product. Once the teaser is done, we patiently wait until late May.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???
I won’t stab you in the back, I can’t. Although I am crispy, I’d probably break first. As the main ingredient in a king’s salad, I don’t rome very far. But whether to have me before or after a meal is a debate that has gone on since the time of Augustus. Some say I originated in the Aegean others say in parts of Asia. I am a member of the sunflower family of plants. Originally grown for the oil in my seeds, now people like me for my heart. I usually remain loyal green and large leafed but the modern day yuppies pluck us as babies and often grow us red. Each year Americans eat about 30 pounds of my relatives and me. And it’s no wonder, because people can do so much with me: I can be used as a bed on a plate, served with fruit or anchovies, pickled in a jar, or cooked in soup. At home with croutons or anchovies we are also the crisp bit you yearn for in your favorite sandwich. The myth that my siblings and me provide almost no nutritional value is not quite true, because I contain folates, vitamins A & C, potassium and fiber.
The answer to last weeks quiz is…TURNIP….Congrats to all winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa, Matty, or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
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