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What's NEW and EXCITING
Summer is the theme as schools across the NW wrap up another year. Eaters are ready to move into lighter and fruit driven meals, and we are ready to meet the challenge with an abundance of berries, stone fruit, melons, grapes, and welcome pricing relief in leaf and other row crops! So far in 2017, we have seen a return to some more regular weather patterns. After last year's early windows, it's hard not to feel like we are lagging a bit, but all good things will come soon. We are particularly excited to see Northwest cherries and blueberries staring up, and we expect to be in very promotable volumes by the time the July 4th holiday arrives. Corn has been fantastic so far, so look for the first California white corn hitting shelves along with a few specialty things like locally grown fava beans and fresh garbanzo beans from Coke Farms.

Focus on:

Strawberries After a wet and grey spring, local strawberries are arriving in the Pacific NW. The first varieties to hit the markets are usually Albion (California hybrid with great flavor and a firm texture making it great for retail) and Sweet Ann (newer hybrid from the breeding program in Santa Cruz with excellent vigor and disease resistance). Both are known as ever-bearing varieties and will produce several harvests over the course of the summer. Locally, the berry that everyone waits for is the Hood, whose harvest usually starts the first week in June and goes for about 3 weeks - that's it for the whole year! The Hood berry was a chance seedling discovered in the area around Mt. Tabor in 1880. It became popular with farmers in Hood River (thus the name), who later turned to orchard crops. This berry has incomparable flavor and a soft delicate texture that makes it impossible to sell outside the local market. Tons of other regional varieties can be found at markets across the country, but Hood strawberries are the definitive fruit that herald the beginning of Pacific Northwest summer.

Merchandising Tips
Display strawberries in prominent and multiple locations throughout the store. Because the local season is short, the open basket packs are a major impulse buy item. Expect to replenish several times a day to keep the berries looking their best and keep the display abundant. To complement your strawberry display, add local rhubarb and cross-promote bakery items like short cakes, grocery items like aged balsamic vinegar, and even soft cheeses like mascarpone, chevre, and brie.

Microgreens Have you tried our new Microgreens from Organic America?  We have Red Amaranth, Arugula, Asian Mix, Basil, Cilantro and Golden Pea Shoots in 2.5oz containers! Microgreens are edible plants that originate from the seeds of herbs, vegetables and other plants. They are different from sprouts as they are grown in a soil-based medium instead of water. This increases nutritional and fiber content, as well as delivering a concentrated flavor profile. Harvest occurs at the coteleydon stage of growth which occurs after sprouting but before developing into a true seedling. As organic salads and salad kits continue to lead growth in many produce departments, adding in microgreens can really round out an eater's selection and spark the imagination!

Merchandising Tips
You will want to keep these microgreens in a cold case. Display alongside salads, in a deli case near the sandwiches or near cheese to use in making appetizers. The concentration of flavor, color and exquisite aroma add something magical to any dish!

Burdock Burdock, also called by its Japanese name Gobo, is known for its medical properties. Above ground, it blooms beautiful purple, but prickly thistle flowers that turn into seeds. The root's brown exterior resembles a carrot. When peeled, its white-gray flesh can oxidize, which can be prevented by submerging it in water with lemon or vinegar. This taproot can be used as a veggie in stews and stir-fries, baked or braised, providing a sweet, earthy (sometimes astringent) flavor similar to an artichoke. Some people dry, powder or extract the oils to harness burdock's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It has also been used in Chinese medicine to treat colds and sore throats thanks to a beneficial fiber called inulin that produces healthy bacteria in the large intestine. Being rich in B6, fiber, calcium, iron, copper, other minerals and potassium, it is well worth the effort to incorporate burdock into your diet.

 

Merchandising Tips
How the heck do you make burdock stand out in a department flush with colorful fruits and veggies? Well, think like a shopper! Someone looking for burdock will likely be looking for other ethnic/nutritional goodies like jicama, ginger, turmeric and dandelions (think teas!). Or keep it near other "stir fry" items like eggplant, peppers, fresh peas and Napa cabbage. Make a stand out shelf talker that draws attention to its presence, or offer a recipe for Kimpira, which is relatively simple due to requiring few ingredients. In your set, keep it cool and mist every so often, and encourage your customers to refrigerate at home. The simple Kimpira recipe (above right) comes from one of our Oregon burdock suppliers, Winter Green Farm!

Jazz Apples A darling of New Zealand breeders, this Braeburn/Royal Gala cross is one of the firmest, sweetest, juiciest apples of the year. This club variety is only grown by select farms under the Enza label in NZ, Chile, Europe, Australia, the UK and Washington. Embrace the limited availability and high demand to your advantage. This isn't your everyday variety! This low-acid, sweet-tart variety has a wonderful pear finish and lends itself to cheese platters, savory dishes and desserts. We like to fancy up a turkey burger with a combo of thinly sliced Jazz apples, Gouda cheese, and arugula microgreens!  Expect to see limited quantities this year due to international pressure on sales. Increasing popularity partnered with poor crop yields across Europe have resulted in premium pricing that will remain high for the season. Get 'em while you can!

Merchandising Tips
These apples are firm and stable and can tolerate being displayed on chilled and non-chilled dry areas. Use the beautiful blue boxes as a foundation or bushel baskets for case stack and front end displays. Partner with your cheese, meat and deli departments to cross merchandise and incorporate Jazz into their sets. Cross merchandising seasonal favorites with your top sellers increases the sales of all the items on display.  

 

Apples: Jazz in stock, limited availability. Cameo back in stock. Domestic Pink Lady apples are steady, but small sizing; Chilean Cripps Pink are tightening, and market is firm. Bagged Granny and Gala are promotable.

Bananas: Plentiful and pretty.

Berries: Blueberries are limited on pint packs with nice prices on 18 oz and stable supply on 6 oz options from California; NW season is right around the corner. Raspberries back in good supply, prices softening. Strawberries are a smorgasbord- we have a pack for every eater including some from Sky Harvest Produce in the Skagit Valley.

Citrus: Valencia remain stable. Small shot of Meyer lemons and Pink Variegated lemons from Rainbow Valley Orchards.

Figs: Brown Turkey pints are on in abundance and in the house.

Grapes: Mexican grapes flooding market currently; California market much firmer, ask about promotions! Cotton Candy in house, and Witch Fingers are delayed.

Melons: Honeydew, Galia, and orange honeydew all available from Goldie. We will also some mild-flavored Hami melons from them. Good supplies on seedless bins with a few seeded bins on the road. Minis slightly tighter. Yellow watermelon is available.
 
Pear: Promotable varieties are Bosc, Autumn Bartlett, and Abate Fetal.

Stonefruit: First NW red cherries are trickling in; Rainer will be gapping through the week. Peaches and nectarines stable with volume fill deals available and white fruit coming back on. Price and size is up on donut or Saturn peaches. Flavorosa is the pluot horse with additional varieties in plums. Cotton Candy apricots are in!

Tropical Fruit: Mangos are stable with Ataulfo promotable. Pineapple is very promotable, and the conventional Maui Gold fruit is steady.

Avocado: California Hass market is firm. Peruvian fruit is performing well, and we have large Reed in house!

Asparagus: Last of NW asparagus in this week from Andersen, Schreiber, and Inaba; CA supply available thru June.

Artichokes: Small sizes done, good numbers of large available.

Beans: Getting tight, expect some gaps day to day.

Broccoli: Baby broccoli price up; price going down slightly on bunch broccoli, and promotable next week.

Bunched Greens/Row Crops: Orange cauliflower is steady. White is promotable. Napa cabbage back for the weekend. All kales on in NW, but lower pricing from California. Spinach promotable next week.

Carrots: No changes, value option remains Cal-Organic bunches.

Celery: Transition to Salinas is underway, falling market ahead.

Cucumber: Slicers are plentiful. Euro cukes steady from Wholesum Harvest. Mini Persian slowing and price up slightly.

Lettuce/Salad: Green, red and Romaine all promotable and good quality.

Mushrooms: Deals on medium Crimini. Shiitake still tight. Maitake stable, and we have number two Portabella!

Onions/Garlic: Stable. We have added white spring onions back in, as well as shallots with greens.

Peppers: Mini and red bell promotable. Large packs of green with nice prices. Chili types remain tight; trickles of Padron from Del Cabo.

Potatoes/Root Veg: Russets starting in California, mostly 90 ct. Value option on last of old crop Russet. Deals on 16x3 red potatoes. Yellows back in good supply.

Squash: NW zucchini starts next week, and prices slowly dropping. Summer squash packs available upon request. California Delicata from Siri & Son Farms California label Coachella Fresh is on.

Tomatoes: Beefsteak steady. Roma and TOV promotable. Heirlooms very limited. Tasti-Lee hit and miss. Cherry on vine available. Red cherry down in price. Local tomatoes not available still for several weeks.

Variety Veg: Peas back on from Spring Hill Farm. Nettles available from Oshala Farm. Green and purple kohlrabi is in. Corn is moving from bi-color to white from Devine Organics.

An Exciting Week for Organic in Washington, D.C.

OTA l June 5, 2017

Another record number of attendees turned out for a busy #OrganicWeekDC-the Organic Trade Association's (OTA's) signature annual policy event-this past week.

Organic Week kicked off with the second annual Organic Confluences hosted by The Organic Center in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Economic Research Service. Nearly 200 people got an early start on OTA's Member Business Day with Clif Bar's Loop the Lincoln run and walk. OTA members participated in a full day of meetings and trade association business then enjoyed a Congressional Reception sponsored by Organic Valley featuring special guest Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine. OTA's Policy Conference featured Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle including Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), John Faso (R-NY-19) and Tim Ryan (D-OH-3) as well as Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Trade and Food Assistance Ray Starling .

The conference also included diverse keynotes, from Jayson Werth (an MLB All-Star and World Series Champion and organic farmer), to former USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, and Georgia Organics Executive Director Alice Rolls. A successful Advocacy Day brought more than 120 representatives for the organic industry to Capitol Hill to meet with 163 congressional offices to discuss the benefits of the organic sector to the U.S. economy and ask for additional funding and support to expand organic practices and increase trade oversight.

If you missed the policy conference, videos from the conference sessions are available.

Check out the full report of the week here.

 

Training Webinar for Organic Handlers: Organic Integrity in the Supply Chain

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service l May 31, 2017 

On June 14, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) is holding a one-hour training webinar for organic handlers. The topic is Organic Integrity in the Supply Chain.

Organic handlers play a vital role in the global organic control system, which includes strict production standards; accreditation of certifiers; certification of farmers, processors and handlers; and enforcement.  AMS has identified violations of organic regulations involving shipments of soybeans and corn entering the U.S. and enforcement actions are underway.  We are investigating other evidence related to other shipments of soybeans and corn.

To help guard the integrity of organic imports, this training webinar focuses on the role of organic system plans and recordkeeping systems in ensuring organic integrity of imports, and highlights critical control points that will be audited during inspections. All organic handlers are encouraged to attend this broadcast webinar.  Because we expect a large number of attendees, this webinar will be "broadcast only." You will be able to hear us, and will be able to chat questions to us using your keyboard.

Webinar Logistics:

Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Time: 1-2 PM U.S. Eastern Time

Meeting Website: Click here