February 10, 2010
WELCOME!
More is better now that the San
Francisco Wholesale Market has added another business to the lineup. On Monday
February 1st, Golden Banana opened for business at the San Francisco
Wholesale Market. Please join us in welcoming Spencer Levy and his colleagues
to our slice of
The market will observe Monday February 15th
for President's Day. Check with your favorite wholesalers as to their schedules,
if any.
GUNG HAY FAT CHOW
Chinese
New Year is February 14th as we usher in the Year of the Tiger (year
4707 in Chinese years if you are wondering!) Large family gatherings with
traditional food, lots of it, are prepared not only on that day but also on New
Year's Eve, February 13th. There are many reasons to promote the produce
festivities. One is to better serve our Asian customers who will be looking for
more of usually purchased produce. Another reason is to use this celebration to
encourage those who generally do not participate, to join in the food fun.
Remember, it's not just the Irish who eat corned beef and cabbage on St.
Patrick's Day? And third, there may be an opportunity to cross merchandise with
other non produce items such as sauces, beverages and the like. One thing to
keep in mind is that it is a celebration for a prosperous new year, for
longevity and completeness. The latter two characteristics are mirrored in the
food that is featured. For example, oranges, mandarins and pommelo (some BIG
ones are around!!) complete with leaf and stem, long leaved Nappa cabbage
(Michihihi) as opposed to the common barrel shaped variety. Green onions with
the tips, or better yet, the roots attached. Same goes for complete leeks. Even
lettuce with the roots! Some of the traditional fare includes; gai lon or
Chinese broccoli. This is a flowering loose leaved type that is quite mild and
succulent. Gai lon is a great addition to the wet rack in any case. Chinese
celery, which is similar to loose leaved or cutting celery, is most often used as
a flavoring, as opposed to a prominent vegetable. Other traditional dishes
feature snow peas, bok choy, cilantro (also known as Chinese parsley) baby
leeks with tips attached, fresh water chestnuts, ginger and lotus root. This is
an excellent way to expose many people to an ancient celebration. With a bit of
creativity it may even make the cash register ring a few times!
MORE TO CELEBRATE
It
is not only a double whammy, but a triple whammy! So Chinese New Year and Valentine’s
Day are on the same day, February 14th. But I can’t tell a lie, the next day is
President's Day, February 15th. This is an amazing opportunity to attract your customer’s
attention to some produce items they infrequently purchase. The potential tie-in
sales with related grocery items are equally enticing. Valentine's Day provides
lovely cross promotional possibilities. RED strawberries, special kits to make
chocolate covered berries, champagne, cut flowers, greeting cards, Valentine's
candy even bubble bath! Think more red!
VEGETABLES
BROCCOLI
Lots of it coming from everywhere. A popular, nutritious cooking vegetable is
always a great specials item. Check you quality as some coastal broccoli has
shown some weather stress.
ASPARAGUS
More supply and better quality is coming out of
LETTUCE
Iceberg has been at great prices
with nice quality. Red, green and romaine are even in good supply. Windy and
wet coastal weather may have strained the quality on some lettuce, so check you
boxes.
CELERY
Roller coaster ride prices, but
enough to go around. Weights have
been heavy and supply can be found in all sizes.
AVOCADOS
California Hass season is joining the strawberry in its quest to be a year
round
MUSHROOMS
Nothing like a little rain to bring out the mushrooms!
Hedgehogs mushrooms have been in good supply out of
the northwest. Regular and even black chanterelles are also in good supply for
the gourmet mushroom fancier.
TOMATOES
Strict supply and demand. More Mexican shipments out of
ORGANICALLY GROWN
Organic
navels oranges are spot on, both in quality and price. Organic
SPECIALTY
Some local
FRUITS
GRAPEFRUIT
Take your pick,
SPECIAL CITRUS
Pommelos
have moved from the dead green stage to a big yellow. And just in time for
Chinese New Year, six count and sharp are pommelos with the stem and leaves.
The stunning wine red color of the Blood Orange flesh is in full bloom. Fanrastic flavor. The cara caras
are also in very fine form. If you have not gotten the hint, there is plenty of
very flavorful citrus to be had. And the meyer
lemons have been so mild that you can literally eat the skin. Lots of oil, flavor and juice but without the harsh bite.
JUICE UP!
Check
out the smaller, but flavorful Blood Oranges. As a juice unto themselves, or as
an addition to regular orange juice, they make quite a visual and taste
sensation.
MANDARINS
Satsumas are done, but there is always something to fill the
gap. Whether it is the Tahoe variety or the more plentiful
BERRIES
After a very rough January we are
seeing just a sliver of hope come February for berries. Strawberries are in
better supply, but not flush, unfortunately for Valentine’s Day. And prices are
no real bargain yet either. Raspberries are fairly short supply and stiff
price. Mexican blackberries and Chilean blueberries are in better supply with
lower tariffs.
TROPICALS
Mangos are coming out of
CHILEAN FRUIT
The
Chilean grapes have fallen drastically from just a couple of weeks ago. The
peaches and nectarines have been fine. The fruit of choice every year has been
the Larry Anne plum. Dark speckled skin and great flavor. Sorry, but not quite
in yet. Feast on the black amber and laroda in the
meantime.
APPLES
With the controlled atmosphere rooms now open, expect to keep a better eye on
the fruit. Once it breaks its comfortable dormancy, the fruit remembers that
it's about four months old.
PEARS
Look for Southern hemisphere
MELONS
They are a bit hit and miss, with a combination of
both Mexican, but mostly offshore (meaning Central American) fruit. The
cantaloupe has actually been pretty good. Honeydews will only get better as we
move through the winter.