Market Notes
November 8, 2018
POTATO UPDATES-A BIGGER BURP RESOLVED
So our small burp became a bigger burp but we have it contained. The lenticels that were slightly enlarged seemed to have a contest as to which potato could have the largest lenticels. There were a lot of contestants and all the participants were culled. In other words, we have reworked the product so that problem will be gone well before our customers see them. Just for your information the cause of this problem is the warmer growing season making it harder to get the heat out of the center of the potato. At its best, this causes tiny freckles you can barely see. At its worst you get exploding lenticels and black spots. Also, the purple fingerlings are now back in stock so we have three color fingerling assortment to now offer in California, Colorado and at our forward distribution facility in Pennsylvania.
AIR FREIGHT EMBARGO AT CHICAGO O’HARE AIRPORT (ORD)
They are replacing the floor. Two weeks before the busiest air travel holiday of the year and United Airlines is placing an embargo on all perishable freight from Monday 11-12-2018 through Friday 11-16-2018. Remember, this is not the terminal; it is the freight facility at United’s hub. Seems that there would be a better way to approach this but embargo is the word. Not only for air freight terminating at ORD, but any perishable freight connecting at ORD will be subject to the embargo as well. It would not surprise us if there is a different story on the other side of this project. At least it’s not Thanksgiving week.
HOLIDAY TRANSPORTATION
The holiday crazies are upon us. If you haven’t felt it yet, you will by Monday. Prices on over-the-road trucks are already on the rise. Trucks are also scarce these days, fewer wheels rolling. Then there is the backup at numerous sheds. Add to that product shortages, seasonal ads, transition complications, equipment breakdown and potential bad weather and you can easily imagine the pressure built up for holiday arrival deadlines. Airlines are not much better. Passenger travel is way up leaving less room for the E, EH, LD-2, and LD-3 containers that provide produce people with overnight magic. So, this happens every year and what’s the big deal .right? Let this be the first of many reminders to work ahead as much as you can lest you and your produce never hook up.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHAT AM I??
Ancient and Asian, I’m larger and more revered than my western counterparts, and my long, white (sometimes green-shouldered), shape distinguishes me from American and European varieties. My earliest existence is documented in archeological remains of northern China; it’s believed that I traveled westward following the path of human migrations. I was introduced to Japan only one thousand years ago and am now the country’s most widely grown vegetable. In England, in the Middle Ages, I was prescribed as a remedy for “woman’s chatter” and depression. Early on, sailors ate me to prevent scurvy and as a remedy for colds. In addition to lots of vitamin C, I have only 10 calories per half cup. Raw, I’m fresh and snappy, with a juicy crispness; I can be sweet and mild to fairly hot and pungent. Peel me like a carrot, cook me like a turnip, grate me or foam me, pickle me, or carve me into decorative shapes. I’m loved in tempura dipping sauces, with sushi, or call me Mooli and cook me in Indian food. You may use my black Spanish relative because he’s the same size and shape, but only I can be gift-wrapped as a token of esteem in Japan.
Answer To Last Week’s Quiz:…NOPALES or CACTUS LEAVES…Congrats To All Winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
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Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015