Market Notes
April 20, 2017

CALIFORNIA POTATO HARVEST BEGINS

The wait is over. We began shipping new crop California fingerlings potatoes this week. Admittedly we had a very rough transition this year due to increased sales and excessive rains. Schedules got behind and processing got backed up. With just a few bumps we completed every order. Usually when we start new product we still have some products remaining from the other areas we source from, but not this season. That transition was perfect. New crop looks very good but this year we are also adding some new post-harvest equipment. This should improve, sorting, sizing and maybe even (if we can do that without skinning) polishing. This week we are into fingerlings and reds. So next week we will have red and white creamers along with the yellow fingerlings. Purple fingerlings are still sourced into our processing facility and we will not have our own crop until early May. Purple A’s and purple creamers are also early May harvest but we have enough in stock to cover all mixes. Red and pink fingerling fresh crop will begin next week. We also have a full complement of organic fingerlings and rounds. We are not offering marbles yet but our neighbor does and we can easily and quickly consolidate. At this point everything seems to be on schedule so by May 15th we will be full on with everything except Organic russets which start in June. Bring it!

FINGERLING REPAIR AND TRANSITION

After a week of apologies and making excuses we are pleased to say we are back on track. We have beautiful product to ship out next week from our forward distribution facility on the east coast and with this lot we are not charging extra for sprouts. That’s because there will not be any. These potatoes are clean. They are also the last of our Colorado season. When we complete this lot we will follow up with new California crop that is looking great. We will then be able to stock creamer, and mixes for just in time deliveries. We have also made arrangements for early crop harvest in August so we will not hit the late summer gap like we did last year. We anticipate a very dynamic season offering a wider variety and more packaging options. It is also our second year of testing the Harvest Moon™ in California soil. Thank you to everyone for your support. We look forward to continuing to exceed your expectations.

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHO AM I??

I’m the best plant since sliced bread. I am the “The Supermarket of the swamps” according to Guru of nuts and twigs, Euell Gibbons, “the cat’s meow, and the ducks feather.” You’ll go wild over my ability to soothe your sore gums and cure your sweet tooth. I feature prime nesting grounds for red-winged black birds and marsh wrens. I also offer material for human shelter and warmth in the form of lean-to’s and garments. I was used during WW I as an artificial silk, a substitute for cotton, and as a down for gloves and coats. You too can create wondrous and unique garments that will wow and dazzle your friends. I’m a versatile plant, because not only can I be used for shelter and garments, I can also be used for weaving baskets to hold your favorite cakes and pastries made from the flour-like pollen of my flowers. Did you know that the pollen from just one acre of me can provide as much as three tons? My roots can also be made into flour or a thickener for cooking when you separate the fibers from my roots. When boiled I taste like a mashed potato and when macerated I make a sweet syrup for the pancakes you’ve made with the flour from my pollen. Eaten raw, my shoots or stalks are like celery sticks and can be used in salads, roasted, or sautéed. When steamed I taste much like asparagus and my flower spikes can be boiled and eaten like corn on the cob. I am a plant ahead of my time, high in protein available year round. Roots in the winter, shoots in the spring and flowers in summer. Who can beat that?

Answer To Last Week’s Quiz…FRENCH FINGERLING…Congrats To All Winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com
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Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015