Market Report
- Category: Market Report
- Friday, 20 April 2018
- Hits: 32
Its easy to ignore “The sky is falling” warnings when they are inconclusive. The classic folk tale of Henny Penny (Chicken Little) bares recollection when food safety is at stake.
The most recent industry messages regarding romaine lettuce alerts have been frustrating for everyone in the supply chain.
In defense of all stakeholders, no one wants to err on the side of personal illness or worse case scenario, death.
As companies wait for more information from federal agencies on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has been ascribed to chopped romaine only and not a specific supplier, fresh produce industry associations are communicating in a uniform voice about the situation.
United Fresh Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement have worked in concert on communications regarding this recent outbreak.
The most recent industry messages regarding romaine lettuce alerts have been frustrating for everyone in the supply chain.
In defense of all stakeholders, no one wants to err on the side of personal illness or worse case scenario, death.
As companies wait for more information from federal agencies on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has been ascribed to chopped romaine only and not a specific supplier, fresh produce industry associations are communicating in a uniform voice about the situation.
United Fresh Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement have worked in concert on communications regarding this recent outbreak.
- Category: Market Report
- Thursday, 12 April 2018
- Hits: 66
California avocados have arrived! They are generally available from April to September, but for the nearly 5,000 growers in the state, the avocado season is a year-round endeavor.
Farmers walk their avocado groves every month to check on the trees, assess weather affects and grove conditions. They must ensure avocados are on the right track for projected harvests. Each stage in the growth cycle is critical.
Avocados, grown on trees, have a tree growth cycle with six stages: flowering, shoot growth, root growth, fruit set, fruit growth, and harvest.
That’s a lot to watch and care for during each season.
California produces about 90 percent of the nation’s avocado crop. Ninety-five percent of California avocados are the Hass (rhymes with pass) variety.
The Hass variety accounts for about 80 percent of all avocados eaten worldwide. By now, most of us understand that an avocado is actually a fruit.
Farmers walk their avocado groves every month to check on the trees, assess weather affects and grove conditions. They must ensure avocados are on the right track for projected harvests. Each stage in the growth cycle is critical.
Avocados, grown on trees, have a tree growth cycle with six stages: flowering, shoot growth, root growth, fruit set, fruit growth, and harvest.
That’s a lot to watch and care for during each season.
California produces about 90 percent of the nation’s avocado crop. Ninety-five percent of California avocados are the Hass (rhymes with pass) variety.
The Hass variety accounts for about 80 percent of all avocados eaten worldwide. By now, most of us understand that an avocado is actually a fruit.
- Category: Market Report
- Friday, 06 April 2018
- Hits: 78
Nearly six years ago, meal kits companies took the food scene by storm in the United States.
They looked to be the major disruptors in how people choose to procure, prepare and eat food.
As American food culture evolves, what we eat, when we eat and how we eat are all open to personal interpretation.
The crowded space of meal kit companies is facing fierce competition as meal subscribers are selecting from vast options for convenience, value and variety.
Grocery industry “brick and mortar” spending represents about $650 billion, with a “B”, dollars in the U.S. The experience of daily provisions can be frustrating at best with lots of energy devoted to meal planning, grocery shopping and finally preparation.
They looked to be the major disruptors in how people choose to procure, prepare and eat food.
As American food culture evolves, what we eat, when we eat and how we eat are all open to personal interpretation.
The crowded space of meal kit companies is facing fierce competition as meal subscribers are selecting from vast options for convenience, value and variety.
Grocery industry “brick and mortar” spending represents about $650 billion, with a “B”, dollars in the U.S. The experience of daily provisions can be frustrating at best with lots of energy devoted to meal planning, grocery shopping and finally preparation.
- Category: Market Report
- Thursday, 29 March 2018
- Hits: 86
Once the door to Spring is cracked open, watch out. There seems to be no limit of vibrant swaths of color popping up everywhere.
It’s hard to miss the stunning fruit tree blossoming in and around neighborhoods or roadside orchards.
A river walk presents clusters of wild neon poppies and verdant anise in early bloom. Breathe it all in…then exhale slowly.
Awaken the senses with pots of bold color after Easter pastels fade. Perennial bulb plants give us an excuse, as if one is needed, to dig in the garden beds.
Avoid getting dirt on the hands altogether with one quick trip to a grocery store these days. The bevy of new color bowls and potted color bulbs and plants is staggering.
It’s hard to miss the stunning fruit tree blossoming in and around neighborhoods or roadside orchards.
A river walk presents clusters of wild neon poppies and verdant anise in early bloom. Breathe it all in…then exhale slowly.
Awaken the senses with pots of bold color after Easter pastels fade. Perennial bulb plants give us an excuse, as if one is needed, to dig in the garden beds.
Avoid getting dirt on the hands altogether with one quick trip to a grocery store these days. The bevy of new color bowls and potted color bulbs and plants is staggering.
- Category: Market Report
- Friday, 23 March 2018
- Hits: 79
The fleshy green spears of asparagus are all at once succulent and tender. They have long been considered a true seasonal delicacy.
This highly prized vegetable arrives with the coming of spring. When the shoots finally break through the soil and reach their peak harvest length, we are ready to enjoy locally grown asparagus.
In California, the first crops may be picked as early as February. The season generally is considered to run from April through May. Like most things in agriculture, Mother Nature is in charge.
In the Midwest and East, the season may extend through June or July.
Under ideal growing conditions, an asparagus spear can shoot up to be eight to ten inches tall in a 24-hour period. Each crown will send spears up for about six to seven weeks during the spring and early summer.
This highly prized vegetable arrives with the coming of spring. When the shoots finally break through the soil and reach their peak harvest length, we are ready to enjoy locally grown asparagus.
In California, the first crops may be picked as early as February. The season generally is considered to run from April through May. Like most things in agriculture, Mother Nature is in charge.
In the Midwest and East, the season may extend through June or July.
Under ideal growing conditions, an asparagus spear can shoot up to be eight to ten inches tall in a 24-hour period. Each crown will send spears up for about six to seven weeks during the spring and early summer.
- Category: Market Report
- Friday, 16 March 2018
- Hits: 110
Kids of all ages have perfected the art and tradition of egg dying for Easter.
From waxy pencils to small tablets of color, not much has changed in the decoration process. Or has it?
The kitchen pantry is a studio of natural ingredients and interesting colors waiting to be used. Common food items, and food waste in some cases, will transform an ordinary hard boiled egg into a beautiful showpiece.
Natural dying elements have long been used in fabrics and paper. Porous eggshells invite color no matter the source.
Red cabbage and beets, brown, red or yellow onion skins contribute to an array of egg color possibilities. So will coffee, tea, and dried spices.
From waxy pencils to small tablets of color, not much has changed in the decoration process. Or has it?
The kitchen pantry is a studio of natural ingredients and interesting colors waiting to be used. Common food items, and food waste in some cases, will transform an ordinary hard boiled egg into a beautiful showpiece.
Natural dying elements have long been used in fabrics and paper. Porous eggshells invite color no matter the source.
Red cabbage and beets, brown, red or yellow onion skins contribute to an array of egg color possibilities. So will coffee, tea, and dried spices.
