Market Notes NOVEMBER 10th, 2022

 

FARMER VETERAN COALITION

(This is a reprint from last year. We can’t think of anything better to offer)      Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) was born out of the produce industry. On May 6, 2007, a handful of organic farmers gathered at Swanton Berry Farm to discuss helping men and women returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan find careers – and places to heal – on our nation’s farms. When three women showed up, all of whom lost their sons in the wars, there was an overwhelming sense that this modest gesture could turn into something hugely impactful.      And it did. FVC now has 30,000 veteran members in all 50 states. It succeeded in getting veteran farmers recognized in the 2014 Food and Farm Bill, launched the office of Military Veteran Agricultural Liaison at the USDA, and has won tens of millions of dollars for veterans starting out and groups training them how to farm across the country.      The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund has awarded $3.5 million in small grants to help veterans make critical purchases in the early years farm or ranch businesses. Kubota Tractor Corporation donates five tractors a year to FVC members through their “Geared to Give program.” And more than 3,000 FVC members use the “Homegrown By Heroes” label to enhance their sales.      A visit to the FVC website, www.farmvetco.org, will show many ways to help from making much needed contributions, getting involved in one of the state chapters, or offering employment to returning veterans. Let’s honor those that served our nation once by defending it and are serving it again by helping to feed it.

 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 quiz….BABACO…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