Market Report
- Friday, 14 January 2022
It’s always interesting to see what new state-by-state legislation goes into effect with the new year. From marijuana to minimum wage increases, every state will be grappling with how to enforce the new laws.
In California, there are several laws now on the books that will impact food and beverage businesses.
According to the Department of Agriculture, about forty percent of the food in the United States goes to waste and twenty percent to the landfill. SB 1383 aims to change that statistic.
Every city in California will have a different method to improve food waste. Some garbage companies will have separate bins at the street for food scraps and others will simply ask for leftovers to be added to the green waste bin.
The law mandates twenty percent of excess edible food from restaurants, hospitals and supermarkets be sent to food banks.
Senate Bill 389 allows restaurants and some bars to sell to-go wine and cocktails until 2027, providing a five-year extension of an emergency rule from early in the pandemic.
Industry groups say the law is a boost for bars and restaurants that make the bulk of their sales in alcohol but have been hurt by scaled-back in-person dining since early 2020.
In California, there are several laws now on the books that will impact food and beverage businesses.
According to the Department of Agriculture, about forty percent of the food in the United States goes to waste and twenty percent to the landfill. SB 1383 aims to change that statistic.
Every city in California will have a different method to improve food waste. Some garbage companies will have separate bins at the street for food scraps and others will simply ask for leftovers to be added to the green waste bin.
The law mandates twenty percent of excess edible food from restaurants, hospitals and supermarkets be sent to food banks.
Senate Bill 389 allows restaurants and some bars to sell to-go wine and cocktails until 2027, providing a five-year extension of an emergency rule from early in the pandemic.
Industry groups say the law is a boost for bars and restaurants that make the bulk of their sales in alcohol but have been hurt by scaled-back in-person dining since early 2020.
- Thursday, 06 January 2022
January is the most suitable month for citrus with a full thirty one days of winter’s wrath and chilly temperatures.
Citrus is easily a super-star among winter produce. A most noteworthy benefit of citrus is its immunity-boosting properties. One serving provides nearly 100 percent of the daily vitamin C intake. This nutrient is known to shorten the duration of an existing cold.
The bright lineup features oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, pummelos, lemons and mandarins.
These juicy fruits can be incorporated into daily diets during National Citrus Month. Add slices of citrus to salads and sides, drinking freshly squeezed citrus juice or adding a slice to water, tea and other hot beverages.
A delicious snack food or addition to entrees and baked goods, citrus fruits bring a bit of sunshine to the party. Specialty citrus delves into multiple variety types and includes Tangelos, Blood and Cara Cara Oranges.
What is the difference between Cara Cara Oranges and Navel Oranges? A Cara Cara Orange is the result of the cross-pollination of a Washington Navel Orange and a Brazilian Bahia Navel Orange.
These oranges were first discovered in 1976 at Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela (where they get their name) and are now grown in California. In season from December roughly until April, take advantage of this wonderful citrus fruit while at the peak of eating goodness.
Once the orange blossoms are pollinated, medium-sized oranges with red to pink flesh and an incredibly sweet citrus flavor are created. It’s not just their beautiful color that makes them stand out — they have a remarkable taste that goes right along with their unique appearance.
Citrus is easily a super-star among winter produce. A most noteworthy benefit of citrus is its immunity-boosting properties. One serving provides nearly 100 percent of the daily vitamin C intake. This nutrient is known to shorten the duration of an existing cold.
The bright lineup features oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, pummelos, lemons and mandarins.
These juicy fruits can be incorporated into daily diets during National Citrus Month. Add slices of citrus to salads and sides, drinking freshly squeezed citrus juice or adding a slice to water, tea and other hot beverages.
A delicious snack food or addition to entrees and baked goods, citrus fruits bring a bit of sunshine to the party. Specialty citrus delves into multiple variety types and includes Tangelos, Blood and Cara Cara Oranges.
What is the difference between Cara Cara Oranges and Navel Oranges? A Cara Cara Orange is the result of the cross-pollination of a Washington Navel Orange and a Brazilian Bahia Navel Orange.
These oranges were first discovered in 1976 at Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela (where they get their name) and are now grown in California. In season from December roughly until April, take advantage of this wonderful citrus fruit while at the peak of eating goodness.
Once the orange blossoms are pollinated, medium-sized oranges with red to pink flesh and an incredibly sweet citrus flavor are created. It’s not just their beautiful color that makes them stand out — they have a remarkable taste that goes right along with their unique appearance.
- Thursday, 30 December 2021
A new year with a fresh start. Kiss 2021 goodbye and set our sights high on optimism and renewal.
The beginning of this new year is replete with prospects for new adventures, personal and professional development and business improvements.
Learning to manage change over the past twenty something months may just have been the best preparation for what lies ahead. Change was inevitable.
Those traits lay a solid foundation for a reset and reimagination. Setting the course ahead for produce industry is evidenced by the newly formed International Fresh Produce Association.
The leaders of the former United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association believe today’s industry members need an association that speaks with a more unified, authoritative voice; demonstrates its relevance to the world at large; advocates for member interests; and unleashes a new understanding of fresh produce.
Recognizing that need, the organizations chose not to merge, but rather to create an entirely new organization to supersede their organizations. That new beginning is effective January 1, 2022. It was created to integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. While IFPA is built on the legacies of United Fresh and Produce Marketing Associations, it is not just a combination. It is transformational.
The International Fresh Produce Association is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain.,/div>
The beginning of this new year is replete with prospects for new adventures, personal and professional development and business improvements.
Learning to manage change over the past twenty something months may just have been the best preparation for what lies ahead. Change was inevitable.
Those traits lay a solid foundation for a reset and reimagination. Setting the course ahead for produce industry is evidenced by the newly formed International Fresh Produce Association.
The leaders of the former United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association believe today’s industry members need an association that speaks with a more unified, authoritative voice; demonstrates its relevance to the world at large; advocates for member interests; and unleashes a new understanding of fresh produce.
Recognizing that need, the organizations chose not to merge, but rather to create an entirely new organization to supersede their organizations. That new beginning is effective January 1, 2022. It was created to integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. While IFPA is built on the legacies of United Fresh and Produce Marketing Associations, it is not just a combination. It is transformational.
The International Fresh Produce Association is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain.,/div>
- Thursday, 23 December 2021
Good Riddance. Those two parting words sum up the chaos and difficulties of 2021. Closing out the year on a positive note requires
shifting gears and attitudes.
As an industry, we’ve done a fine job of reporting on the many supply chain challenges.
Shortages of products and packaging, transportation headaches, rising costs for all goods/expenses and a frustrating labor market are just a handful of the things that keep us up at night.
No mention yet of the pandemic impacts to business and travel. Troubling times prevailed all year long. Closing the door on these past twelve months means letting go of the anxiety, fear, anger, sadness and whatever else it represents.
Emerging from the grip of this year makes us stronger and smarter. Take time to reflect on the accomplishments during the last months. Surviving the year was a feat in itself.
Take some credit for standing tall in the face of adversity. In spite of, or perhaps, because of the COVID mandates, work got done while still managing the moving targets for employees. Task forces across the globe were in place to monitor workplace safety protocols and practices. No company or business was allowed to skate by.
Now is the time for reflection and assessment of what went right. Take a victory lap for the accomplished achievements, big and small, professional and personal. Even failure provides us with teachable moments for improvement.
Unforeseen circumstances have the capacity to recalibrate us. We’ve learned that best made plans can go sideways in a hurry.
Observe the many surrounding creative ways that we’ve learned to accommodate, pivot and make things happen. Take no prisoners into the new year.
Set realistic goals and objectives. Implement new skills, methods and solutions to the same old problems. Try something different.
shifting gears and attitudes.
As an industry, we’ve done a fine job of reporting on the many supply chain challenges.
Shortages of products and packaging, transportation headaches, rising costs for all goods/expenses and a frustrating labor market are just a handful of the things that keep us up at night.
No mention yet of the pandemic impacts to business and travel. Troubling times prevailed all year long. Closing the door on these past twelve months means letting go of the anxiety, fear, anger, sadness and whatever else it represents.
Emerging from the grip of this year makes us stronger and smarter. Take time to reflect on the accomplishments during the last months. Surviving the year was a feat in itself.
Take some credit for standing tall in the face of adversity. In spite of, or perhaps, because of the COVID mandates, work got done while still managing the moving targets for employees. Task forces across the globe were in place to monitor workplace safety protocols and practices. No company or business was allowed to skate by.
Now is the time for reflection and assessment of what went right. Take a victory lap for the accomplished achievements, big and small, professional and personal. Even failure provides us with teachable moments for improvement.
Unforeseen circumstances have the capacity to recalibrate us. We’ve learned that best made plans can go sideways in a hurry.
Observe the many surrounding creative ways that we’ve learned to accommodate, pivot and make things happen. Take no prisoners into the new year.
Set realistic goals and objectives. Implement new skills, methods and solutions to the same old problems. Try something different.
- Thursday, 16 December 2021
Food brings people together in numerous ways. It allows us to learn and share our personal stories with friends, neighbors, family members and at times, perfect strangers.
We expect to have engagement at farmers markets where local farmers and vendors exhibit their goods.
Grocery stores are a different animal. Most retail shoppers stay close to their lists and prefer an expedited excursion. Idle or extraneous conversations are generally discouraged. We try to get in and get out to save time.
A recent shopping trip to a crowded neighborhood market inspired a lively check-stand conversation around a giant pomegranate. It wasn’t terrible.
Having placed the extraordinarily large crimson fruit on the conveyer belt, the clerk was astonished by the sheer enormity. It started a “buzz” around the front end about the how beautiful this specimen was.
Out of no where, a gentleman stranger came over to pick up the hefty pomegranate. He commented on how this was the biggest one he’s ever seen. We both agreed about the magnificent size.
His story began with “my grandmother has five or six pomegranate trees on her property”. Then he proceeded to share more about his Grandma. While she was no longer able to care for her many fruit trees, her grown grandchildren continue to visit the family property to harvest all of the fruits.
We expect to have engagement at farmers markets where local farmers and vendors exhibit their goods.
Grocery stores are a different animal. Most retail shoppers stay close to their lists and prefer an expedited excursion. Idle or extraneous conversations are generally discouraged. We try to get in and get out to save time.
A recent shopping trip to a crowded neighborhood market inspired a lively check-stand conversation around a giant pomegranate. It wasn’t terrible.
Having placed the extraordinarily large crimson fruit on the conveyer belt, the clerk was astonished by the sheer enormity. It started a “buzz” around the front end about the how beautiful this specimen was.
Out of no where, a gentleman stranger came over to pick up the hefty pomegranate. He commented on how this was the biggest one he’s ever seen. We both agreed about the magnificent size.
His story began with “my grandmother has five or six pomegranate trees on her property”. Then he proceeded to share more about his Grandma. While she was no longer able to care for her many fruit trees, her grown grandchildren continue to visit the family property to harvest all of the fruits.
- Thursday, 09 December 2021
A relative of leafy lettuces, chicories are made up of those hearty, bitter greens that stand up to rich dressings and partner well with seasonal fruits and funky cheeses.
They are often used raw and can be roasted, braised, grilled or pan-fried. These colder months get a menu boost to chase away the winter blues.
Available in a variety of hues and shapes, chicories include pearly white or rustic red endive, vibrant red radicchio and treviso, escarole, frisée, puntarelle, and buttery yellow, Corraline and Castelfranco.
Each variety offers an appealing hint bitterness, combined with a nice mouthfeel. Crunchy or soft textures with curious shapes hold dressings and sauces beautifully.
Escarole is a signature ingredient in the Italian American holiday soup known as “Straciatella”. Commonly consumed at Christmas, New Years and occasionally on Easter, “straccia” translates to mean “rags” in Italian. Its name is a reference to the raggedy appearance of the egg and escarole strings floating in the broth.
Both escarole and endive are also a commonly used in beans and greens recipes in favored Mediterranean dishes.
Hardy and sturdy, the chicory leaves stand up well to warm or heavy dressings. Pair with meats, cheeses of all types, tree nuts and winter fruits.
They are often used raw and can be roasted, braised, grilled or pan-fried. These colder months get a menu boost to chase away the winter blues.
Available in a variety of hues and shapes, chicories include pearly white or rustic red endive, vibrant red radicchio and treviso, escarole, frisée, puntarelle, and buttery yellow, Corraline and Castelfranco.
Each variety offers an appealing hint bitterness, combined with a nice mouthfeel. Crunchy or soft textures with curious shapes hold dressings and sauces beautifully.
Escarole is a signature ingredient in the Italian American holiday soup known as “Straciatella”. Commonly consumed at Christmas, New Years and occasionally on Easter, “straccia” translates to mean “rags” in Italian. Its name is a reference to the raggedy appearance of the egg and escarole strings floating in the broth.
Both escarole and endive are also a commonly used in beans and greens recipes in favored Mediterranean dishes.
Hardy and sturdy, the chicory leaves stand up well to warm or heavy dressings. Pair with meats, cheeses of all types, tree nuts and winter fruits.