Market Notes May 14, 2020

 

POTATO UPDATE

While the country salivates waiting for the new crop of organic russet potatoes, lots of other things are happening with specialty potatoes. First we are pleased to announce that we have restarted our forward distribution from our two locations on the east coast. While we are only bringing in small amounts of inventory to keep the product fresh, movement has picked up and the supply of fingerlings should be steady.  Colors and mixes are no longer stocked until the movement on those items picks up but they can be special ordered. Currently our product is coming from Colorado and that should last through June. We also have in stock but very limited availability of our five pound round assortment including Midnight Moon, Bintje, and Desiree, three incredibly flavorful varieties. We also have five pound yellow fingerlings and we are bringing back a classic for retail; the retro one and a half pound netted paper bag with window. This product will also work very well for those packing food boxes or for the drive and drop box. For details and delivery please contact your Culinary rep.  

OFF-SHORE AND MORE

Asparagus are very tight everywhere, including Mexico, Peru and California. Prices are up and standard asparagus are being allocated. The off-shore deal is at its best right now with the movement of French beans and peeled carrots.  The quality is exceptional and the prices are as inexpensive as ever. Even rainbow carrots are a super deal. Prices are so low that the five pound box now makes sense for the drive up consumer. Snow peas and snap peas are also very good quality and very affordable.  In state we have single layer yellow tomatoes being harvested as we write this.  They will be ready to ship on Monday. Finally we are also shipping heirloom tomatoes from south Florida. Both single layer and baby are available. Trucks load Friday and Monday for direct delivery to you.  Please see our “Off-Shore” product and price sheet for details.  

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHAT AM I??

A native of Europe, I’m over 3,000 years old and still planted and harvested mostly by hand.  A hardy perennial herb, I’m a member of the mustard family, spreading like a weed and growing 2 feet tall.  My young leaves can be eaten in salad, but I’m most respected for my thick white root, which is nearly cylindrical and somewhat enlarged at the crown.  My name refers to my large size, coarseness and strength.  I’m mild and unassuming until you break my skin; with age, I darken and lose my power.  Pungent, with a hot, biting taste, I bring tears to the eyes, and clarity to the sinuses.  The Delphic oracle told Apollo: “The radish is worth its weight in lead, the beet its weight in silver, [and I, my] weight in gold.”  One of the five bitter herbs Jews were told to eat at Passover Seder, I was used medicinally for ages before becoming a condiment.  A stimulant, aperient, rubefacient, diuretic, and antiseptic, I’m most delightful along with meats and seafood.  I’m low in sodium, high in fiber, and fat free.  I wore the H.J. Heinz Co. label in 1870, six years before their world-famous tomato ketchup.  I’m also required on Dagwood Bumstead’s sandwiches in the Blondie comics.  If you still don’t know me, visit Illinois where they produce 60% of my world’s supply.

 

THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S QUIZ WAS …RAMBUTAN.…CONGRATS TO ALL WINNERS  

Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702 Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com “like” us @ Culinary Specialty Produce on Facebook© Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015