As colder weather sets in, shoppers are gravitating toward familiar, warming meals that feel grounding and satisfying. The result: renewed demand for hearty, versatile produce that anchors winter cooking. Today’s comfort food isn’t just mac and cheese or pot roast—its classic dishes reimagined with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Think roasted squash soups, braised greens, vegetable-forward stews, and citrus-brightened comfort classics.   

Produce plays a central role in this shift. Stock up and highlight key items: 

• Winter squash (Butternut, Kabocha, Delicata) 

• Potatoes & sweet potatoes 

• Cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts 

• Onions, carrots, celery (the “soup base heroes”) 

• Parsnips and celery root 

• Citrus as a balance to rich dishes 

These items offer strong volume, flexibility across menus, and clear merchandising opportunities tied to comfort cooking, meal prep, and seasonal value. Cross-merch with soup kits, roasting blends, or comfort recipes. Use messaging around “warm meals,” “cook once, eat twice,” and “winter favorites.”  

The comfort food revival isn’t about indulgence—it’s about familiarity, nourishment, and fresh vegetables (and fruit) doing what they do best: showing up in everyday meals that people actually want to cook right now. And eat! 

Weather Watch 

California’s Central Valley is still experiencing heavy tule fog in the region. Visibility is extremely limited and harvesting is reduced to a mere 3 hours a day for many citrus growers. Supply is impacted as we wait for this strange but typical weather event to run its course. 

Don’t forget:  Cold temperatures slow the growth of all veggies, including carrots. Be patient while we wait for reliable supply. 

New & Exciting! 

Ataulfo Mango: AKA Honey Mango. Sweet and creamy with buttery texture. Delicious for eating out of hand but also amazing for smoothies and shakes.  

Black Garlic: Bulk black garlic will soon be available in 2 and 5-pound cases. Black garlic is fresh garlic that’s been slowly aged under controlled heat and humidity, transforming the cloves into a soft, dark, almost jammy texture. The process mellows the sharp bite of raw garlic and brings out deep, savory-sweet flavors—think balsamic, molasses, and umami. 

Blueberry: Pints are back! Supply is expected to be consistent. 

Dragonfruit: Our yellow and red skinned friends are back from Tierra Organica a small family farm in Ecuador. 

Passionfruit: Seems to love the rain, and finally supply is steady. They have never been plumper or tastier! 

Citrus 

• Blood Orange: Bloods have a complex flavor that is sweet and less acidic than regular oranges with notes of berry.  The deep red flesh adds the right amount of drama to Valentine’s Day cocktails and desserts! 

• Golden Nugget: Sweet & rich full-bodied flavor. Seedless and great for eating fresh or juicing! Considered to be one of the best tasting citrus in the world!  Add these to your Lunar New Year citrus displays!   

• Royal Mandarin: In a sea of winter citrus, Royals reign supreme. They have zesty sweet orange flavor and are very juicy with some lemony undertones. The thin skin is easy to peel; expect some seeds. Wonderful for juicing or eating fresh! 

• Seville Marmalade Orange: This sour, tangy variety is best suited for juicing, zesting and making marmalade, The name comes from Seville, Spain – it was introduced from Asia in the 12th century by Arab agriculturists, and was so beloved by the Spanish that they named it after the city of Seville. 

• TDE: Coming soon! TDE stands for Temple Tangor, Dancy, Encore—the parentage of this sweet, rich and juicy triple treat.  TDEs are known for their powerful flavor, plus they are easy-to-peel and seedless!  A staff favorite!   

Ettinger Avocado:  This pear-shaped greenskin is filling the domestic avocado gap. The flesh turns from pale green to yellow as it matures. Lower oil content, with a mild slightly nutty flavor. Similar in taste, if not in shape, to Bacons, which are done for the year.   

Fava Greens: Tender, nutrient-rich leaves with a mild, slightly sweet flavor, perfect for quick sautés, soups, and adding depth to comforting winter dishes. Available for preorder! 

Tulip Bouquet: A true sign of Spring is the arrival of beautiful tulips! Available as straight packs and will be adding gorgeous color in all the mixed bouquets from Thomas Farms.    

Promotable

Asparagus: Mexican asparagus will continue to have strong supply with promotable pricing. 

Avocado: Mexican grown Hass have never been cheaper in price. 60 & 70ct 2-lyrs are the best value for promotions.  

Grapefruit: Supply is plentiful for Ruby and Rio Red grapefruit, also from B&J Ranch. Flavor is sweet with healthy tanginess. Fruit from this grower is simply the best! Heirloom Tomato: This mixed medley offers rich tomato flavor during the peak of winter. Grown in Mexico, Ram’s Farm tomatoes are handpicked, cooled, and carefully packed for long lasting quality!  Perfect for salads, sliced for a sandwich or roasted into a cozy tomato soup!   

Passionfruit: Tasting amazing right now! Its bright, tropical sweetness adds an easy pop to winter menus—perfect for cocktails, desserts, and citrus-forward dishes. 

Pink Lady Apple: Continues to be in great supply; check out the sharp pricing on 113 count! 

Tango Tangerine: Sweet and tart with full-bodied. Tangos are completely seedless with bright and refreshing flavor. One taste and you’ll be doing the tango!   

Limited 

Baby Leaf Lettuce: Colder wet weather is leading to slow growth and some quality challenges. Expect limited supply through mid-February. 

Bulk Persian Cucumber 

Carrots: All of our suppliers, including Bunny Luv, have virtually gapped. We are getting as many as we can; all pack types are affected by winter weather.  

Love Beets 

Maple Syrup & Candy:  On the way from Wisconsin. Hopefully no delays due to weather. 

Prunes: Sowden Brothers have a broken packing line and we are eagerly awaiting the next arrival of their nutritious prunes. The farm is eagerly awaiting machinery parts. 

Tomato: One & Two Layer, Roma, and TOVs all limited. 

Turmeric: Gapping. 

Zucchini: Extremely limited. 

Done for the Season 

Bacon Avocado 

California-grown Spaghetti Squash 

Radicchio Castelfranco from Rundle Family Farms 

Page Mandarin 

Wild River Red Kiwi 

Merchandising Corner 

Starting in February, a series of produce-driven holidays create strong opportunities to drive sales. Plan ahead with targeted assortments, displays, and cross-merchandising to meet shopper needs. 

Super Bowl Sunday (February 8) 

Focus on party-ready produce: avocados, tomatoes, onions, peppers, limes, citrus, and veggie tray staples. Cross-merch with dips, chips, and ready-to-use items to support easy entertaining and game-day snacking. 

Valentine’s Day (February 14) 

Lean into berries, citrus, and pink- and red-hued produce alongside organic seasonal flowers. Highlight strawberries, raspberries, blood oranges, Cara Cara navels, and specialty items, and cross-merch with chocolate, sparkling beverages, and whipped cream for giftable, impulse-friendly displays.  

Did you know? Organic and locally grown flowers offer a fresher, more sustainable alternative to traditional conventional roses, with better vase life, no pesticides and a unique seasonal aesthetic. 

Lunar New Year (February 17) 

Lunar New Year marks the start of the new year on the lunar calendar and is widely celebrated across East and Southeast Asian cultures. Stock items tied to tradition and symbolism, including round, orange and yellow citrus such as oranges, tangerines, and pomelos. To go with noodles, promote pairing withleafy greens, mushrooms, cabbage, bok choy, ginger, and garlic. Build abundant, colorful displays that emphasize freshness, prosperity, and family-style cooking. 

Ramadan (February 17 – March 19) 

Ramadan is an annual month-long period of spiritual reflection. During the entire period of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, taking neither food nor water. Traditionally, a date is the first food eaten after the sun goes down. Dates, a symbol of prosperity, are also traditional gifts during this lunar holiday and are prominently featured in Eid al-Fitr, the feast that ends Ramadan.