Market Notes
December 10, 2015
FINGERLING UPDATE
With all the shortages with the broccoli, cauliflower and root vegetables no one noticed how smooth the fingerling deal has been going. Product out of California is steady and we are getting ready to harvest winter cop in about two weeks. Conventionally we offer four colors and can create any type of mix you want with your choice or Russian Banana, French Fingerling, Rose Finn Apple and if you insist, Purple Peruvian. Organically we only have three varieties as there is no organic purple fingerling available at this shed. In Colorado we are loading real pretty fingerlings and we have a three color conventional and organic mix as well. We are continuing to load the Midnight Moon and Masquerade out of our warehouse in Mosca, Colorado and in a week or so we will also have distribution capabilities in California. So the potato season is on and strong with no foreseeable gaps. We get to wait for spring for the next serious transition.
FINGER LIME UPDATE
We are at the peak of production of the California Finger Lime deal. While pickers still have to glove through sharp thorned branches, there is lots of fruit to select. There are some great deals out there but beware of quality. Our new retail packs containing 12/50 gram clamshells is selling briskly and we are getting new customers on a steady basis. We had hoped to feature this at the NYC Produce show last week but our samples got lost in the distribution melee. So look out for the press releases and if you are looking for samples or a trial run, please give us a call. We offer deals for both foodservice and retail. Be it one pound or one case we have incredibly efficient ways of delivering product efficiently. For bars, tartare’s and pastry stars the Finger Lime will be a hit of the season and for many months beyond. Actually no, this crop starts to wind down by the end of January and then we gap until the spring burst. So now is the time to put the Finger Lime in front of your mind. If you are so inclined give us a call and a sample you shall find.
SHORTAGES
Root vegetables, other than baby carrots whole and peeled, are in a constant state of scarcity as one of the major players in providing these crops recovers from massive crop failure in new fields. This is expected to last through the first of the year. This will keep colored carrots, baby beets, and other roots on the high side until the supply can catch up. Baby lettuces out of Yuma are supposed to be available next week but we have heard that before and will believe it when we see it. Cauliflower and Broccoli remain tight either because they are not growing quickly enough in the southern fields or the growers just love the high prices. Either way we see it easing and the flood gates will open soon.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHO AM I???
I am not a plum! I am not an apricot! I am certainly not a peach! My great grandfather is an Aprium but you can’t find him anymore. I am definitely a novel fruit. My tree is a Dandy and I was pretty exclusive to California, but my popularity has grown so much I am now part of the winter program from South America. As an interspecific variety I am one of several varieties which contain some of this or a little of that. I am a little more of this and a little less of that. Unless you wear an apron or bib you will definitely have to change your shirt once I’ve been consumed. Yes, I am very juicy, but flavorful as well! I have one pit in my center, surrounded by golden yellow or deep dark red flesh. My skin is usually dark and often spotted. Although my shape and appearance make me look like an egg, I have absolutely nothing to do with dinosaurs or prehistoric times. I am now fifteen years old! My domestic season begins in early June and runs through the summer into early fall. They try and mimic me off season down south but the richness is lost. My popularity is continuing to grow, as are my groves. Best eaten out of hand, I also make a great juice, preserve, pudding, or tart. Find me this summer. Take off your shirt and bite me. I’m worth it!
Answer To Last Week’s Quiz…BLUEBERRY…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