Market Notes
March 9, 2017
YUMA SCHMOOMA
There are no new plantings in Yuma. The harvests that remain will be the last as preparations are being made for processing and harvesting points north. First Huron and King City area for the next few weeks and then, April 3rd, we begin loading in Watsonville. Of course, now that we are done planting, the weather in the desert is perfect. High 80’s during the day with a 15 degree temperature drop at night. So, while it’s happy days for the last picking, but the damage has been done. All organics from these fields are shot. There was a very well attended global aphid convention after the rains and the turnout was spectacular. Fortunately, some neighboring towns, no more than 20 miles north, and have reasonable organic greens that will be processed in Yuma so we are not totally dead, unless you want spinach or arugula. On the conventional side we go back to those happy pickings of the last harvests. This is high quality greens but it is limited, especially as the organic market is forced to take conventional product. We expect spinach to get tighter as the weeks before Salinas harvest begins. King City and Huron will also provide transitional product to keep the wheels of agriculture turning. This was a rough winter season, but the aquifers are not complaining.
POTATO UPDATE
The rains are catching up with our specialty potato processor in California. We are pleased to announce that we are fine on our fingerling potato program which means there will be no interruption in the continued distribution of Russian Banana, Jumbo Russian Banana, and assorted fingerlings. Marble potatoes, creamer potatoes, and purple A potatoes are going to be tight for the next 6 weeks. This is the result of the rains that just destroyed some crops and damaged others. It also means sorting and packing quality product is going to take longer. We are recommending 48 hour advance notice on all these products. By mid-April through early May new crop begins throughout the Bakersfield area and by mid-May we will be rocking again. We do have red creamers in stock and we can still source white creamers and marbles, but good quality purple A potatoes are nowhere to be found. In other potato notes our Colorado program is running strong with FOB in Mosca, Colorado and forward distribution out of Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Organics are available for both fingerlings and russets and the trying to be famous Harvest Moon potatoes continue to gain in popularity. Please call for daily updates and deals.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – – WHO AM I??
I am the smallest member of my family. I wasn’t always this small, I’ve just become rounded over the years. Native to China, where I was cultivated over 5000 years ago, I was basically flat. The Chinese turned on the Greeks to me and before long I was in every European garden worth mentioning. While my medicinal value is limited when compared to the relief my relatives offer, I fooled many a country into believing I was magic. I had them hang me up by the bunch in hopes of warding off evil spirits and disease. Truth be told, I did none of this, but I made for nice decoration when dried. My sulfur content is very slight so you won’t get any bitter overtones from me, like you would from my brothers and sisters. From my tall thin filiform leaves, I produce lovely flowers in white, pink or purple that are a perfect garnish or colorful addition sprinkled over a salad. We are cut in bunches and never uprooted because we continually grow back. Our delicate texture and subtle flavor, along with our elegant length, is perfect for numerous fresh uses. You will find us cooked into eggs, potatoes, and several sauces, but we must be added at the last minute or our flavor will be lost. In decorative fashion we are often found holding the asparagus or beans together. We also help poor people hold onto their change, providing a civic duty to the community. I have also been known to get dried, tied, and classically supplied. If you want to juice me, I can be used as a vermifuge.
Answer To Last Week’s Quiz…LEMON CUCUMBER…Congrats To All Winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
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Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015