Market Notes
August 11th, 2022
AND SO IT GOES
Deal by deal, field by field, grower by grower, potato by potato we have hit every bump out there and have even invented a few. Here is the latest twist. We, once again, have been bragging about our own crop that was going to begin harvest right around the beginning of September. And guess what? It is! But (there is always a but), the new optical sorter and washers will not be ready until September 15th, at the earliest. So, the product dug early will go into the “sweats” until early October we will once again be contending with field runs. This is nothing new, we’ve been doing it for years. With the new equipment our product should be slapz! Until then we are very lucky to be supported by growers with new crop in Oregon and northern Colorado. Unfortunately, they cannot provide all the volume we need so will still be occasional gaps until we get our southern Colorado oing. Several other growers will begin within the next two weeks. While product is not rolling perfectly just yet, it is getting better every week.
OFF SHORE DEALS GALORE
The grass is greenest if you are looking for Peruvian jumbo. It will take less green for Mexican small. Over all the asparagus market is tight. Peruvian product by air will cost the most and it’s your prettiest bet. Rain has become invasive for many fields and price across the board is up. But other deals prevail. Baby lettuces are in good supply with over seven varieties available including a beautiful mix. Baby squash is both affordable and available. Three varieties available with green zucchini and baby green patty pan with stupid cheap pricing and by yellow patty pan just over double digits. French beans and baby carrots are in great supply. Beans are not spotted, and baby carrots are in the low teens for straight colors and mix. Tomatoes abound with three of best varieties at their peak. Baby heirlooms are at the peak of sweet in twelve one pint packs, and beefsteak heirloom assortment and beefsteak yellows are in ten pound flats, all bursting with flavor. Off shore fruits include berries, avocados, pineapples, mangoes, and limes. Need a little of this and a little of that? Give us your list and we combine, consolidate, and deliver to your dock. Need a lot of this and a lot of that? We’re good at that too.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???
A native of southern Europe and Western Asia, I’m now in India, Europe, and the U.S. I symbolized joy and pleasure for the Romans. You’ll find me mentioned in ancient Egyptian writings and the Bible. In the 10th century, China got me from Sumatra. I’m a smooth, hollow stemmed annual or biennial herb with feathery leaves crowned with yellow flowers that bear my progeny. I grow like a weed, up to 3 feet tall. You may not know that my flowers make beautiful fragrant bouquets. My fresh leaves and dried seeds are my culinary prize, both herb and spice. You can also buy my leaves dried, but I think they’ve lost their flavor. I would suggest that freezing best preserves my leaves. I’m excellent in sauces and dressings, with vegetables, chicken, and poultry. You would guess my identity if I told you some of my favorite dishes; I’ll simply say, I’m often part of a cure. In addition, my leaves and seeds create beneficial oil. Make me into tea or chew on my seeds to combat urinary-tract infections, bad breath, and upset, gassy stomach. My highest nutritional content is potassium and calcium. Warning to birds – my ripe seeds are toxic to you. I also am the name of Rugrats cartoon character.
Answer to last quiz….COCONUT…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., 2020