Market Report
- Category: Market Report
- Thursday, 22 June 2017
- Hits: 69
The Summer of Love was a social phenomenon that occurred during the summer of 1967. As many as 100,000 people, converged in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district.
Tie-dyed clothing, love beads, men with long hair and a mantra of “free love” characterized the counterculture hippie groups that flocked to the city. A swirl of art, politics, music and revolution was in the air in 1967.
Among other notable shifts in traditions, this was the period in time that influenced our culture in the food movement and politics toward natural, organic and vegetarian diets in America.
The politics of food remain central to those conversations happening in California regarding organic farming, sustainability, improving childhood nutrition and the obesity epidemic.
Present day activism rises from the national trend toward local, sustainable and conscious eating. Consumers want to know what they’re eating, where it comes from and how it is produced.
Lucky for us then that locally grown actually means we’re able to enjoy melons, stone fruits, sweet corn, beans, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes that are actually grown and harvested close by.
Tie-dyed clothing, love beads, men with long hair and a mantra of “free love” characterized the counterculture hippie groups that flocked to the city. A swirl of art, politics, music and revolution was in the air in 1967.
Among other notable shifts in traditions, this was the period in time that influenced our culture in the food movement and politics toward natural, organic and vegetarian diets in America.
The politics of food remain central to those conversations happening in California regarding organic farming, sustainability, improving childhood nutrition and the obesity epidemic.
Present day activism rises from the national trend toward local, sustainable and conscious eating. Consumers want to know what they’re eating, where it comes from and how it is produced.
Lucky for us then that locally grown actually means we’re able to enjoy melons, stone fruits, sweet corn, beans, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes that are actually grown and harvested close by.
- Category: Market Report
- Friday, 16 June 2017
- Hits: 57
A renegade herb that will happily take over any untended garden bed, mint is a staple of summer eats and drinks.
Looking to exact a sense of culinary cool, calm, sweet or freshness? Mint is indispensable and without substitute.
The enticing aromatic gets its scent from the oil in the leaf, menthol.
A wide variety of mint plants exists, ready for use in the kitchen. The two most common are probably peppermint and spearmint and the more rare curly leaf, pineapple and ginger mint.
Get to know the nuanced differences so applications into salads, starters, sides, entrees, drinks, cocktails and desserts are best suited to specific flavor profiles.
A few top mints to get to know: Spearmint. Most commonly used in cooking for many notorious mint recipes, including lamb, spring rolls, vegetables (like peas, carrots, potatoes, beans and cucumbers), tabouli salad and favorite summer cocktails like mojitos and mint juleps.
Looking to exact a sense of culinary cool, calm, sweet or freshness? Mint is indispensable and without substitute.
The enticing aromatic gets its scent from the oil in the leaf, menthol.
A wide variety of mint plants exists, ready for use in the kitchen. The two most common are probably peppermint and spearmint and the more rare curly leaf, pineapple and ginger mint.
Get to know the nuanced differences so applications into salads, starters, sides, entrees, drinks, cocktails and desserts are best suited to specific flavor profiles.
A few top mints to get to know: Spearmint. Most commonly used in cooking for many notorious mint recipes, including lamb, spring rolls, vegetables (like peas, carrots, potatoes, beans and cucumbers), tabouli salad and favorite summer cocktails like mojitos and mint juleps.
- Category: Market Report
- Thursday, 08 June 2017
- Hits: 103
Dads have that reputation for being “super-heroes”. That does not mean they have to eat like Superman, right?
Dads are just regular people looking to stay fit and healthy for their families. They do like to eat, drink and be merry when the opportunity strikes.
Upcoming Father’s Day is a perfect chance to share good food with the fathers in our lives. Like most holiday celebrations, the ways we make merry are diverse and unique.
Everyday dad food does not translate into “cheese, bacon and burgers”. Traditional fare from days long past was largely meat and potatoes basics for Dads. Maybe for most conventional men, that would still be typical.
New dude foods, prepared by using the freshest ingredients, strike a cord with those favorite family traditions and deliver full of flavor on the plate.
By example, Pops might like a nice ravioli with red sauce, skillet chilaquiles or marinated skirt steak on Father’s Day. Cooking at home can be a group effort. “No fuss” should be the mantra of the day, but if a little extra effort is made, we’re good!
Dads are just regular people looking to stay fit and healthy for their families. They do like to eat, drink and be merry when the opportunity strikes.
Upcoming Father’s Day is a perfect chance to share good food with the fathers in our lives. Like most holiday celebrations, the ways we make merry are diverse and unique.
Everyday dad food does not translate into “cheese, bacon and burgers”. Traditional fare from days long past was largely meat and potatoes basics for Dads. Maybe for most conventional men, that would still be typical.
New dude foods, prepared by using the freshest ingredients, strike a cord with those favorite family traditions and deliver full of flavor on the plate.
By example, Pops might like a nice ravioli with red sauce, skillet chilaquiles or marinated skirt steak on Father’s Day. Cooking at home can be a group effort. “No fuss” should be the mantra of the day, but if a little extra effort is made, we’re good!
- Category: Market Report
- Thursday, 01 June 2017
- Hits: 140
A plant-based diet can boost optimum health, decreasing the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
The main advantages with a plant-based diet seem to be related more to the foods consumed (eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and nuts) rather than those foods avoided (primarily meats).
Staying at a healthy weight is easier on a plant-based diet and menu. A “less meat, more plants” style of eating can improve quality of life.
Associated benefits include the reduction of inflammation and diseases attributed to inflammation. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels are others plus ups seen with plant-based food choices.
There are many different types of plant-based diets. The three most common ones are: Vegan: No animal products such as meat, eggs, or dairy products. Lacto-vegetarian: No meat or eggs, but dairy products are acceptable. Lacto-Ovo-vegetarian: No meat is consumed, but dairy products and eggs are allowed.
The main advantages with a plant-based diet seem to be related more to the foods consumed (eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and nuts) rather than those foods avoided (primarily meats).
Staying at a healthy weight is easier on a plant-based diet and menu. A “less meat, more plants” style of eating can improve quality of life.
Associated benefits include the reduction of inflammation and diseases attributed to inflammation. Lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels are others plus ups seen with plant-based food choices.
There are many different types of plant-based diets. The three most common ones are: Vegan: No animal products such as meat, eggs, or dairy products. Lacto-vegetarian: No meat or eggs, but dairy products are acceptable. Lacto-Ovo-vegetarian: No meat is consumed, but dairy products and eggs are allowed.
- Category: Market Report
- Friday, 26 May 2017
- Hits: 120
Memorial Day and weekend are focused on celebration and remembrance for those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice. We honor those who’ve died while serving this great nation.
Invariably, the weekend also ends up being the unofficial start of summer. Vacation travel, picnics, camping, barbecues and patio parties bring families and friends together.
Lucky for us all then that with warm weather trending, summer berries are coming into peak play. California growing regions are now harvesting sensational blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries and blackberries.
Multi-dimensional, berries add that burst of color and flavor zing, just where expected. Planning for breakfast, smoothies, salads or summer desserts? Berries are a knockout for presentation and get an A+ for taste.
Strawberries always seem to top the list for favorite fruits. Blueberries are inching up with kids and those adults who like to power up with super foods.
The antioxidants in berries just seem to be an added bonus. We eat them because we love them. The fact that they are a healthier alternative to other possible warm weather treats makes them all the more desirable.
Invariably, the weekend also ends up being the unofficial start of summer. Vacation travel, picnics, camping, barbecues and patio parties bring families and friends together.
Lucky for us all then that with warm weather trending, summer berries are coming into peak play. California growing regions are now harvesting sensational blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries and blackberries.
Multi-dimensional, berries add that burst of color and flavor zing, just where expected. Planning for breakfast, smoothies, salads or summer desserts? Berries are a knockout for presentation and get an A+ for taste.
Strawberries always seem to top the list for favorite fruits. Blueberries are inching up with kids and those adults who like to power up with super foods.
The antioxidants in berries just seem to be an added bonus. We eat them because we love them. The fact that they are a healthier alternative to other possible warm weather treats makes them all the more desirable.
- Category: Market Report
- Thursday, 18 May 2017
- Hits: 157
Public health officials estimate that nearly 48 million people are sickened each year by food that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Most people are aware that animal products must be handled carefully to prevent illness. Many need a reminder that fresh produce can also be the culprit in outbreaks of foodborne illness.
Outbreaks can be large, widespread or localized. In recent years, lettuce, spinach, green onions and tomatoes have been the source of food illnesses.
As our fresh produce consumption trends up in summer months. Now is a good time for a refresh on practices and protocols on safe food handling.
Fresh produce can become contaminated in many ways. During the growing phase, fruits and veggies may be contaminated by animals, harmful substances in the soil or water, and by poor hygiene among workers. After produce is harvested, it passes through many hands, increasing contamination risks.
Most people are aware that animal products must be handled carefully to prevent illness. Many need a reminder that fresh produce can also be the culprit in outbreaks of foodborne illness.
Outbreaks can be large, widespread or localized. In recent years, lettuce, spinach, green onions and tomatoes have been the source of food illnesses.
As our fresh produce consumption trends up in summer months. Now is a good time for a refresh on practices and protocols on safe food handling.
Fresh produce can become contaminated in many ways. During the growing phase, fruits and veggies may be contaminated by animals, harmful substances in the soil or water, and by poor hygiene among workers. After produce is harvested, it passes through many hands, increasing contamination risks.
