Market Notes
April 1, 2016
TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
(you decide which is which)
TRUMP FARMS ROLLS OUT NEW MESCLUN MIX
Trump Farms is rolling out a new salad mix. Reported to be branded as Trump’s Gold, this farm will bring to market a lettuce mix with only four colors; red, white, blue and gold (or black & blue for all you naughty women out there). The farm believes that this will be both patriotic and show their wealth. They have all the best locations, soil so good you wouldn’t believe, the newest and most current equipment and marketing beyond compare. The farm also reports the blend is so good that customers will complain wanting something more average. Under the slogan “Make America Taste Great Again” Trump farms believes it will dominate the business by eliminating every other grower’s license because none of them were born in this country. Roll out of this product is scheduled for early fall and states are lining up to be the first to handle the program. While the farm continues to develop new products, they are making progress with lettuce leaves in the shape of letters. The T, the R, The U, the M and the P are in early trials. Salad mixes will come with a serving suggestion including Carsons Dressings, and Cruztons. Of course their marketing will have all the best words that they are known for.
CALIFORNIA FARMS POISON CITRUS AND GRAPES
Waste water from oil wells is on the rise as farmers become disparate to water their crops. This water is sold to 90 landowners some of who are organic farmers. In Kern County’s Cawelo Water District the percent of water provided by wastewater oil has gone up from 35 to 50. Other oil companies are also increasing the amount of water they have for sale. This is a great benefit for the oil companies because it creates revenue and eliminates the concern with injecting the wastewater back in the ground. While the conservation is great, the State Water Resources Control Board has not set limits for many of the contaminants. Recent tests from water supplied by Chevron turned up benzene at higher that acceptable for drinking. While tests continue, results analyzed, and standards reviewed their remains concern that this water and its toxins (several which are not being tested for) is getting into our crops. Mandarins, table and wine grapes, raisins lemons and oranges from some very well-known companies have been named using this water. Although many are demanding a moratorium on this water, the State is taking a wait and see position due to the excessive drought.
POT BUST ON BROCCOLI TRUCK
While drugs continue to cross the border from Mexico in banana, squash, and bean trucks, the latest seizure was in Pharr, Texas. 766 pounds were seized at the border on a broccoli shipment attempting to cross on Tuesday, March 22. Both canine detection and non-invasive imaging were used to discover the contraband. While our report states the 766 pounds were found, only 661 were uncovered. No information was provided as to the remaining 105 pounds. With a street value of over 150K, knowing where about 14% of the shipment went would be an important issue to pursue . With all these drug smuggling reports on such a regular basis, you’ve got to wonder what’s getting through.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHO AM I???
I am a native to the Alps, but along with my 50 relatives have been grown throughout Europe and in the USA as well. We are all sweet members of the parsley family. I am totally consumable. From roots to seeds and stems to leaves there is always a use for me. I have both medicinal and culinary properties. Before dinner, I am used to flavor the Vermouth in your perfect martini. During dinner my young shoots will be blanched and added to your salad, or perhaps the bread you are eating is made with dough from my ground roots. In Greenland, my foliage is eaten as a vegetable. For dessert, you’ll find my crystallized stems on the cake or used as a sweetener in stewed rhubarb or custards. After dinner, it’s my seeds that flavor your apéritif if you are drinking Chartreuse or Benedictine. Medicinally I am used as an anti-inflammatory and I out sell Alka-Seltzer in China. Though my name may imply it, I still haven’t earned my wings.
Answer To Last Week’s Quiz…CREMINI MUSHROOM…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