Curious about the charming specialty produce items spotted around IFPA 2023 Foodservice Conference in Monterey this year? Well, you’re in the right place! A little background for those not at the event. We wrapped 5 elevator doors at the event this year, but we didn’t feature just any produce…we chose a few of the unique…
Red Dragon Fruit, originally known as Pitahaya, is native to Central America, and is grown in the dryer tropic climates of Asia and the Americas. The fruit is related to the cactus pear, and grows on a vine-like member of the cactus family. Its cultivars have flesh of various colors: white, pink and the most…
Farmer Andy Sheaffer lost a lot of trees and banana plants during California’s historic Thomas Fire, but the family’s house was not harmed and his family and farm team are all safe, so he’s feeling grateful. But now comes the rain; it’s too much for recently burned terrain to absorb. Road closures are everywhere around…
The corn grown in the Brentwood area of California’s Sacramento River Delta is the best tasting, sweetest corn we’ve found. Known as Brentwood corn, this product has the well-deserved reputation across the country as the benchmark against which all other corn is measured. However, all Brentwood corn is not created equal! Over the past eight…
“Doing cartwheels of joy!” — Karen Beverlin, with The Produce Hunter The California Sacramento River Delta boasts exceptionally rich peat soil. This magnificent soil and the area’s climate combine to grow what many people consider the world’s best asparagus. In 2004, Russ Parsons’ prescient article about the state of California’s asparagus crop, Delicate Harvest in…
Give peas a chance, but if you include them in guacamole, people have opinions about that. Spring has sprung and that means it’s time for English (or garden) peas to grace your menus. You can serve them raw, but they also cook perfectly in just a couple of minutes. Take advantage of the herbaceous and…
Morels have always been highly prized, especially in ancient times by Egyptian pharaohs who believed Mushrooms were food of the gods. A discerning bunch, the pharaohs forbade mere mortals to consume Morels. There are seven distinct Morels in California, all in the family Morchellaceae (order Pezizales) but from three different groups: wood-chip habitat, naturals, and…
Tardivo is the most elegant member of the Radicchio family. It has long, narrow, slightly curving leaves with the bitter flavor typical of all chicories.
Karen Beverlin, The Produce Hunter says, “Tropical flavors make winter bearable!” Every Rincon del Mar Ranch cherimoya is hand-pollinated, and every one is truly delicious. “It tastes like summer, but here it is, brightening up our winter—it is so delicious,” The Produce Hunter says. Pictured above in the farmer’s hands, is beautiful Rincon del Mar…
So Cal native son Andy Sheaffer is relatively new to farming. For years, he traveled the United States as a contractor specializing in slope stabilization and erosion control. Away from home six months of the year, Sheaffer wanted to spend more time at home with his wife and three children. Born, raised, and educated in…
This is the best time of year for California Dates! Our favorite variety is the Honey Date. Our farmer is harvesting the new crop now, and the quality is fabulous! This unique variety is one of three developed in California in the 1920’s by our farmer’s great-great uncle, Date pioneer Everett K. Davall. We love…
This variety is so new it hasn’t been named yet, and still goes by its trial name, BN6. But a catchy name is unnecessary because this Nectarine is fabulous.
We’ ve been eagerly awaiting their arrival…Champagne Grapes, also known as Black Corinth, are named for their sweet, wine-like flavor.
A truly ancient fruit, the Fig, can be traced back to 5,000 B.C. Fig trees bear a first crop, called the breba crop, on last season’s growth.
The Granny Smith is a chance seedling originating in Australia in 1868 and named after Maria Ann (Granny) Smith. The Granny Smith apple is tangy and tart. This is THE baking apple of choice as it has a deep dense texture that allows for longer cooking. It is a great choice for pies and cobblers…
Sweet, juicy. Apples make a good addition to the menu for both adults and children. Offer apple slices as an alternative to French fries on childrenÍs menu. Kids love them, and parents like the healthy option. Apples also have obvious uses in pie and baked goods, such as pastries and bread. Growing Regions: California, Idaho,…
Pleasant, mildly tangy. Apples make a good addition to the menu for both adults and children. Offer apple slices as an alternative to French fries on childrenÍs menu. Kids love them, and parents like the healthy option. Apples also have obvious uses in pie and baked goods, such as pastries and bread. Growing Regions: California,…
Juicy, tart. Apples make a good addition to the menu for both adults and children. Offer apple slices as an alternative to French fries on childrenÍs menu. Kids love them, and parents like the healthy option. Apples also have obvious uses in pie and baked goods, such as pastries and bread. Growing Regions: California, Idaho,…
Unique, tart-sweet. Apples make a good addition to the menu for both adults and children. Offer apple slices as an alternative to French fries on childrenÍs menu. Kids love them, and parents like the healthy option. Apples also have obvious uses in pie and baked goods, such as pastries and bread. Growing Regions: California, Idaho,…
Aromatic, sweet. Apples make a good addition to the menu for both adults and children. Offer apple slices as an alternative to French fries on childrenÍs menu. Kids love them, and parents like the healthy option. Apples also have obvious uses in pie and baked goods, such as pastries and bread. Growing Regions: California, Idaho,…
