Market Notes
  July 9, 2015

SPECIALTY POTATO UPDATE
People do eat potatoes while on vacation. People who are not on vacation also eat potatoes in the summer. Whether they are grilled, smoked, herbed, boiled, baked, fried or sautéed, potatoes suit every season. Potato salads compete for whose is best at picnic tables, fairgrounds and BBQ pits. While we won’t comment on recipe, we have an incredible selection for flavor. Start with three varieties of fingerlings, both conventional and organic. Add four varieties of creamers and four varieties of marbles either in straight pack or mixed. Conclude with two unique varieties of blueberry milkshake potatoes and a line of purples and you are left with a very compelling compilation of flavor and color. We can deliver these to your door, consolidate them for you on the west coast or set up FOB pick up. The word is out; potatoes taste good on their own and are good for you. Catch the wave.

IT’S TOMATO TIME
Heirloom tomatoes are going to hit the market in big way next week. We know of at least four different growers that are going to have product in in volume. In most cases this would mean a very competitive market that would quickly drive the prices down, but all these growers are organic farmers and the demand is high so we will have to wait until August when it is raining lypocine for the silly deals. Starting next week we can get our hands on straight packs of Green Zebra, Sweet 100’s, Sungold and of course a cherry tomato assortment. On larger sizes we will have the standard packs of Rainbow, Black Crimson, Cherokee, and the amazing dry farmed Early Girl. Pallets can be picked up FOB and smaller quantities can be consolidated and /or containerized and flown. Please contact your Culinary Rep for full menu and pricing.

OFF-SHORE BIT OF A BORE
Between the rain, the heat and the difficulty of air freight this is not the best time of the year for Central American imports. Here’s what we know. Peru is light on asparagus and their sizes are running on the small side. Mexico has some volume and their sizes are running on the large size. Ain’t that fun? Either way the market is running high in the mid-twenties. There are asparagus available from Michigan and New York State but we do not dabble in that. Snow peas are not showing any black spots or fish-eye and snap peas are clean as well. They hover in the mid-teens French beans are surprisingly good for rainy season product. They are very clean and very affordable. Same deal with peeled baby carrots they both range in the high single digits. Baby green zucchini is running fine but the sunburst is blowing up.

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ- WHO AM I ???
God blessed America – He gave it country quilts, apple pie, Fourth of July and me!!! I am a member of a healthy family. You won’t find me flourishing in the fields but you will find my clusters sprawled throughout the woods, mountainous regions and peaty soils. My flesh is sticky sweet, and don’t miss my seeds, they’re tiny!! I have approximately thirty varieties all falling under the categories of Vacciinium Angustifolium, which are smaller, milder tasting version (Are you from Jersey? If so then you have no problem finding me, this version is widely cultivated there). However I’m not around for long, don’t blink or you may miss me. Please! Treat me gently when you wash me I am very fragile and highly perishable. I’m an all day long delight, served plain or dried, as a breakfast accompaniment, in fruit salad, yogurt, sorbets, vinegar, juices, jams, pies, cakes and even topped with orange juice and vodka for a tasty after dinner delight. I am a significant source of Vitamin C, Potassium, Sodium and fiber. Hey, if you don’t consume me for my delightful flavor, keep in my mind I am also a “pharmafood” and said to have the effects of an astringent, antibacterial, and antidiarrheal. Don’t mistake me for Cousin Bill and beware of tricky peas holding their breath to fool you, although their true colors eventually come out with the stars.

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Answer To Last Quiz….Rutabaga……Congrats To All Winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa, Mark or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
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Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015