Produce Notes December 6, 2019

Grateful for Grapefruit are making their winter debut! Grapefruit is a hybrid originating in Barbados. It was an accidental cross between a sweet and . grow in grape-like clusters on their tree, thus the “grape” part of the name. We’ll be seeing many varieties of grapefruit this season including Rio Red, Ruby Red and Oro Blanco.

Ruby Red grapefruit has yellowish peel with areas redder the flesh, the sweeter the will taste. of pink and green blush, often caused by the Interesting fact: the formally popular, but now scarce, cold temperatures the fruit endures. The interior white grapefruit actually has the same sugar levels Tasting Great Tasting flesh is segmented with deep pinkish-red flesh as pink or red grapefruit, and are preferred by some with sweet juicy flavor and some seeds. Ruby Red folk. Talk to your Account Manager to add some grapefruit delivers a refreshing sweet-tart flavor. The Ruby Red grapefruit to your order!

Winter Citrus Displays With Thanksgiving out of the way, winter holiday • Cross Merchandise. Add citrus juicers and citrus- season is in full swing! Get in the spirit by filling centric cookbooks to your large citrus displays to encourage and inspire usage. When setting up your department with the most celebrated seasonal winter fruit displays, we run into the problem of product — citrus! Not only do these cold weather having too many items that look alike. Nuts and treats taste delicious, they bring a brightness and dates complement citrus well and alleviate the exude freshness to winter. Here are some ways to uniformity when worked into the displays. If you keep displays interesting and product moving: have a meat or seafood department, set up a citrus display nearby for marinades and garnishes. • Incorporate Color. and limes are great to use as color breaks in a sea of orange citrus displays. Don’t be afraid to mix to it up and add pops of color Try using a few varieties like the Meyer Lemons, all over your department. Citrus can be displayed Makrut , Variegated Pink Lime and Sweet Lime. with asparagus, greens and potatoes too! Make it fun • Mix Up Different Sizes. Display pomelo and and keep it interesting. grapefruit next to smaller . They look great next to one another and allow customers to see all the different citrus varieties available in the winter. • Incorporate Different Textures. Buddha’s Hand is a conversation starter for sure. Most people think of it as a purely ornamental fruit but it also can be used to flavor many dishes and beverages by Merchandising Corner Merchandising zesting the skin. These large hands add a nice touch and offer a visual break from a plethora of round- shaped citrus. Kiwi are available all throughout the winter months. They are a great addition to any display and can provide a texture break next to all your citrus with their brown-fuzzy skin.

New & Exciting! Promotable Limited

Artichoke Limited in supply.

Brussels Sprouts California-grown continue to be Envy Apple very limited with high prices due Round with striated, ruby red skin. to weather conditions. Supply Tasting great with crisp, sweet white Forelle Pear should improve by mid-December. flesh. Slow to turn brown. Heirloom variety. Very small in size. Mexican-grown sprouts are steady in Beautiful red blush over greenish availability and price. yellow skin. Dense, coarse, moist, cream-colored flesh. Tastes sweet did you know… Strawberry and tangy with cinnamon spice Very limited. Rains have put an end tones. Forelle is German for “trout”? to Central Valley California growing The name stems from the season. Baja-grown berries are African Shaddock Pomelo expected to start in late December. Large size. 15-25 centimeters in pear’s beautiful coloring, diameter. Yellow-green medium- similar to a rainbow trout! Herb thick rind. Soft-textured pith. California-grown bunched cilantro Segmented flesh. Juicy and fragrant and parsley in somewhat limited rosé pink pulp. Tastes sweet-tart Jazz Apple supply. Availability affected by with low acidity. Rosy red skin with undertones of recent rains. yellow, orange, and green. Classic low-acid, sweet-tart taste. Radicchio Very limited in supply. Pink Lady Apple In great supply with sharp pricing. Sweet Peppers Extremely limited with very high Bacon Avocado pricing. In good supply and tasting great. Citrus fruit. Thick, rough, knobby, California-grown. Oval-shaped Soft Squash and fragrant peel. Vibrant green with smooth, thin, dark green skin. Mexico-grown zucchini prices are when unripe. Bright, sunny yellow Buttery, creamy texture. expected to rise. Yellow squash is when mature. Juice is highly acidic very limited. and tart. Sweetness is in rind oils. Broccoli Great for sauces, liquors, vinegars, In good supply with sharp pricing. Tomato and jams! Availability is limited. Recent rains have affected supply. Fairchild Medium-sized, round and flattened Passionfruit on each end. Deep orange, slightly Limited in supply. pebbled rind that clings to the flesh. Juicy, rich, sweet flavor with low acidity. From our exclusive grower done for the season

What’s Fresh? What’s B&J Ranch. • Pink Variegated Nantes Carrot • Red Kuri Squash Bunched in great supply from our exclusive growers Road 20 Farm • Ornamental Squash and Rundle Family Farms. Small to medium in size. Cylindrical in shape with blunt, rounded ends on both sides. Edible leafy greens. Fine- Staff Picks Maple Candy grained orange flesh. Crunchy and These sweet treats from Maple tender with a mild, sweet taste. Valley Cooperative are perfect for the holidays. Made with certified Cauliflower organic pure maple syrup and Supply has improved and prices are nothing more. Limited seasonal sharp. item. Tangerine Fig Satsumas and are in Black Mission and Brown Turkey figs great supply. are available until Christmas. In good supply and looking great.

Mango California-grown Keitts are available but expected to be done for the season the second week of Dragon Fruit December. Oblong with a pale to Also known as pitaya. Bright red dark green skin. Fiber-free with a skin with green scales, resembling thin seed. Smooth texture and sweet a dragon. We have white, pink and honeyed flavor. red pulp varieties. Sweet, delicate flavor similar to a cross between a Shallot kiwi and a pear. Texture is creamy In strong supply. with little black seeds. An amazing tropical superfood!