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Top Stories | March, 2023
Good Asparagus News
- Right now, 11-pound packs of asparagus are here, mostly in standards, as extra-large, and especially jumbo are nearly impossible to find. Domestic asparagus season is rounding the corner and will kick off with Delta Queen stalks. As a reminder, this California asparagus is one of the last of its kind, grown in the California Delta and irrigated with water that flows from the Sierra melt. Each stalk is selected for size and flavor, and is hand cut.
- Something to keep in mind is that each spring, when these stems come aboard, asparagus from Mexico experiences a big drop in price, creating a huge cost disparity between imported and domestic. But Deltas truly are a premium product that stands out for freshness, flavor, and texture.
Straws and More
- A sure sign of spring is the return of green strawberries, which we’re fortunate to be able to bring in this year, directly from the grower. As a reminder, green straws are perfect for pickling, but are not enjoyable raw. Organic and conventional strawberries are stable, both in supplies and pricing. Harry’s Berries are on the horizon, though we still have a couple more weeks before the first arrivals of the season.
- Driscoll’s Limited Edition strawberries continue. Their Sweetest Batch raspberries will be coming in out of Florida for approximately one more week, before their gap begins and we wait for their California reappearance toward the end of May. Sweetest Batch Blueberries are also beginning to slow; Family Tree Jumbo blues are a wonderful alternative.
Struggles & Send Offs
- As New Zealand works to recover after Cyclone Gabrielle, please keep in mind that a handful of fruits, including kiwi berries and greengage plums, are on pause, and others, like N.Z. apples, which we would have been leaning heavily on soon, will now suffer throughout the coming year. Alternatively, their stone fruits, like organic nectarines and donut peaches are thriving.
- Broccolini is in a bit of trouble. They’ve transitioned to the Salinas, but the cold weather has resulted in low yields, and we’re finding ourselves receiving pro-rated shipments more often than not. Organic and Andy Boy supplies are faring better, and between both of those options, we believe we’ll be OK, supply-wise, during this time, but we ask for your understanding and flexibility.
Fruit for the Seasons
- Still inside citrus season, we’re loving Halo mandarins right now, currently coming out of Morocco. While Page and Daisy mandarins are finishing up, Rising C Ranches Stem & Leaf Tango Mandarins are juicy and plentiful. Their Pixies, Mandarinquats, and Tarocco and Moro Bloods, continue, too.
- As we wait for domestic melons to begin their seasonal resurface, we have a few great ones to grab now. Dino Melons, with a bright white tender-crisp flesh, are cucumber-like in flavor. Mexico’s Orange Candy, Del Monte’s Costa Rican Mag, and Cavaillon Melons from the Dominican Republic are all sweet, rich, and plentiful.
Greens Housekeeping
- We know there have been heat and wetness issues with B&W’s watercress, but please know they’re working to remedy the problem, and the past few shipments we’ve received from them have been a bit dryer, resulting in a longer shelf life. Also, one thing to keep in mind: A small bit of moisture in the bag is actually a good thing, because it keeps the greens from drying out.
- Additionally, we're working closely with the talented growers at County Line Harvest to bring in even more of the organic West Coast greens and veggies that you know and love.
Spring Specialty Produce Planner
- Just in time for spring menu planning, we’ve put together a Spring Specialty Produce Planning Guide! Based on arrival dates from previous years and ETA’s from our farm partners, these are our best predictions for spring arrivals.