Archive for February, 2022

Earl’s Organic Buyer’s Notes February 27, 2022

February 28, 2022 | Susan

Pacific Northwest Apples coming out of Controlled Atmosphere have high color, very good pressure and excellent flavor. Avocado supply and options around sizing will remain tight. The berry category has good volume on Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries and Strawberries. Offering your customers a variety of berries is proven to increase sales! Import Bartletts are starting up this week. They will be very green and hard with a longer ripening time than domestic pears coming out of storage. Cooler weather continues in California as well as Mexico We will see a dip in production on Covilli Heirlooms as well as Zucchini. It is too cold to harvest Coastal View Produce California asparagus this weekend out of Gonzales. Weather dependent, we should see CVP asparagus by the end of the week. Mexican asparagus is on the short supply this weekend. Cooler weather has slowed production and the current inventory is also feeding the East Coast. Sun Valley is transitioning from their inland Aromas Ranch to Watsonville near the coast in the next 10 days. Recent warm weather has given a boost to the plants, and we may see some items come on early. Sun Valley is planting in blocks in succession so we will have a robust greens and romanesco program. Purple and orange cauliflower will have more consistent supply in about 5 to 6 weeks. Download the Weekly Buyer’s Notes here and don’t miss a beet!

The only difference between spring garlic and garlic bulbs is time

February 24, 2022 | Susan

Comanche Creek in Chico is in the midst of spring preparations. Earl’s walks the fields with grower and chef, Sean Mindrum. Spring garlic and spring onions come from the same seed as garlic and onion bulbs. Spring garlic can be harvested in as little as 3 to 4 months while a fully formed garlic bulb can take up to 12 months to grow. Sean talks about the spring garlic crop coming on soon and shares his favorite way to cook spring garlic. Spring Garlic, Braising Mix, Red Russian Kale, Broccoli Di Ciccio now available!

Watch Earl’s YouTube interview now!

Sean Mindrum Comanche Creek with Ethan Abendroth, Earl’s buyer

Comanche Creek grows year-round and rotates their crops seasonally. They offer a whopping diverse lineup of 390 varieties of fruits and vegetables, with the biggest crops in the summer months. Not only does Sean provide a robust offering to his customers, but his dedicated workers have year-round employment. The farm crew works together as a group to take care of the farm and Sean in turn takes care of his workers.

Earl’s Buyer’s Notes February 20, 2022

February 21, 2022 | Susan

Cuyama is wrapping up their Pink Lady apple season. Don’t miss the last of their box and cello packs. Pre-con avocados were in excellent supply for Super Bowl. The import of Mexican avocados out of Michoacán abruptly stopped when the border was closed on Super Bowl eve. https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9400046/us-suspends-mexican-avocado-imports-on-eve-of-super-bowl/ It is uncertain to when the border issue will be resolved. Earl’s continues to have good supply of pre-con and green Mexican avocados. California avocados have started up in a small way. See more on California avocados below. We also may see more Zutanos this week. Earl’s Exclusive, Coastal View Produce California Asparagus out of Gonazales in the Salinas Valley is here! We are seeing spring weather, but it is not sustained weather above 65 degrees which means the soil remains cold. CVP is starting up slowly and production will ramp up towards the end of the month. Look to Earl’s to support the local deals and to bring you the best tasting California asparagus through July 4th! Download CVP POS Materials in the Weekly Buyer’s Notes and don’t miss a beet!

Local CVP Asparagus Is Back!

February 15, 2022 | Susan

Asparagus is fantastic eaten raw, steamed and grilled. California Coastal View Produce asparagus is an Earl’s exclusive! Grown in Gonzales in the Salinas Valley, CVP local asparagus can be enjoyed through the 4th of July!

Enjoy peeled raw in a salad or topped on a pizza.

Earl’s Buyer’s Notes February 13, 2022

February 14, 2022 | Susan

California Avocados coming on stronger and sooner than expected. We will have Mexican Avocados for a few more weeks and then transition fully into California fruit. Mandarins had a rough start this season and will end several weeks earlier than past years. Extreme heat last year when the blooms were setting, and fruit was developing stressed out the trees. California Citrus is eating great right now! Don’t miss the delicious Murcotts and Tangos Mandarins, Blood Oranges, Minneolas, Cara Cara’s and Navels. Spring is in the air, weather is warming up and trees are starting to blossom. Earl’s Exclusive, Coastal View Produce California Asparagus out of Gonazales in the Salinas Valley, starts this week! Production will ramp up towards the end of the month. Look to Earl’s to bring you the best tasting California asparagus through July 4th! Download Earl’s Weekly Buyer’s Notes here and don’t miss a beet!