Market Notes June 9th, 2022

 

WHAT GOES UP…..

   While the last three to four weeks have seemed like three to four years, we are pleased to inform that availability has begun to increase. We now have new crop from a second grower. Mix will ship this week and individual colors will begin next week.  This will certainly not end the gap but there are at least two good things it will do.  First it will increase supply. Second it will create some competition which should, possibly, probably, maybe, perhaps reduce the price. And we are also pleased to report that our Yuma deal came through (knock on wood). Killed on the 15th, harvested on the 27th, cleaned and toted to Colorado by the first of July. Possible to get one load out before the holiday then we should have enough to cover most of July. This deal will only be yellows, no colors. There will, be more packing options when we run out of Colorado.  For east coast customers, freight will drop.  For west coast customers freight will go up and we will be providing forward distribution out of Los Angeles this year, not Edison.  That’s the way the fingerling flies.  

 SUMMER STUFF

The heat is on, the mask is off and the meals are lighter and greener. Although we have the honor of maintaining delivery for over a dozen customers around the country, micro greens especially shine in the summer season. Can you call and order yourself? Sure. But one dozen customers and counting depend on culinary to provide accurate ordering, expert tracking, perfect documentation, new items and deals, along with problems with product or accounting. This program, like our overnight direct to door herb program, is a single source for micro greens, edible flowers, orchids, and mini vegetables.  If you haven’t gotten on board with the micro’s  yet, please give Lisa a call in our east coast office for a quick rundown and samples if you’re nice.  

AND YOU CAN’T SAY SUMMER STUFF WITHOUT

Andy’s is on, but the best is yet to come. Direct from the wizard’s mouth “we are at the bottom of the curve.”  That means the peaches and nectarines are early crops and do not necessarily have the sugar that come from the middle of the curve fruit. The fruit is smaller and the brix is not as high, but one must remember the source. While there is no doubt that what Andy says is accurate but we know firsthand that the fruit that Andy does not like, his customers often love.  That’s why he grows the early crop, customer demand. Apricots are still about two weeks away and it only gets better from here. Don’t go through Morgan Hill without stopping by Andy’s and tell ’em Culinary sent ya.  If you need it delivered, who ya gonna call?  

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???

Utilized as a food by the North American Indians for thousands of years, I probably originated in the southwestern part of North America.  My cultivation dates back to 900 BC.  Europeans learned of me in the 16th century and I was developed as a commercial oilseed by the 19th century Russians.  Today my most popular growing regions are Argentina, China, France, Russia, Spain and the Unites States.  Summer is definitely my season, and my name is sort of derived from it.  My thick hairy stem can be anywhere from 3 to 20 feet tall and my famous flower, a fat round brown edged disk edged with yellow petals, can grow to be 20 inches in diameter.  Every part of my plant is useful.  My seeds are edible raw, roasted, chopped, ground or eaten as sprouts.  The oil from my seeds is very popular, as it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.  This oil is used in salads and cooking oils, margarine, and shortenings, and has even proved to be useful as a diesel fuel additive.  My flowers are the source of a substance used to treat malaria, and my petals are used for making dye.  Bee colonies are often placed in my fields for pollination and the production of honey.  As a pharmafood, I am an excellent source of potassium.  I am also considered an expectorant, relieving the symptoms of coughs, colds, and asthma.  I have even been known to help poor vision.  Finally, if planted accordingly, I make a great summer fence.  

Answer to last quiz….PANSIES…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