Did you know there are more than 500 types of cultivated green beans? Grown specifically to be eaten while still “green,” meaning unripe and young, they can be a myriad of colors, from dark burgundy to green to brilliant yellow. Beans are known by many common names across the USA including string beans, French beans, pole beans, snap beans, wax beans and the actual French name haricot vert.
All common green beans can trace their origins back to Central and South America where they have been cultivated for thousands of years. Historically, Native Americans plant the “three sisters” – corn, squash, and beans- together, not in separate rows. Known as companion planting, each ‘sister’ contributes to healthy and vigorous plants, providing shade, nitrogen for soil health, or support for climbing vines. Three Sisters companion technology was practiced in regionally appropriate ways by the Iroquois in Northeast America, called the Wampanoag method, the Missouri River nations, called the Hidatsa method, and in the arid areas of New Mexico by the Zuni. Now that’s the original regenerative agriculture!
Green beans are a powerhouse of nutrition and preferred by many because of their versatility in any culinary application. They are sweetly delicious and can be eaten fresh, charred, steamed, roasted, fried or even pickled! Order up on California-grown green beans today!
New & Exciting!
Beans: Gorgeous snappy green beans from Rundle Family Farms are a seasonal favorite. Get ‘em before they’re gone! Round out your displays with colorful specialty beans: French, Yellow Wax, Purple and Romano.
California-Grown Tomatillo: Small, bright green fruits covered with a thin, papery husk. The flavor is tangy, slightly tart and citrusy, with a hint of sweetness. As they ripen, they become sweeter and less tangy. Tomatillos are a key ingredient in many Mexican and Central American dishes.
Candy Snap Red Seedless Grape: Specialty high-flavor profile red Candy Snap grapes are starting up from Anthony Vineyards. Firm small berries and an intensely fruity sweet flavor makes this variety a popular one! Currently available in clamshells only.
Cherry: Rainiers are a super-sweet and popular variety known for their cheery yellow skin with a red blush. Bings are sweet red variety full of rich cherry flavor—ideal for eating fresh and preserves. Both are great additions to your cherry offerings.
Eggs: We’re now offering delicious Large brown pasture-raised eggs from Burroughs Family Farm located in California’s northern San Joaquin Valley. All of their chickens are free-range, cage-free, and eat a wide variety of plants and insects from the dairy’s organic pastures. To supplement their diet, the chickens are given a mixture of organic grains and minerals. The eggs are then hand gathered, washed and packed at their farm in Merced County. Burroughs is a 5th generation family-owned regenerative farm that also grows organic almonds and produces olive oil, milk, cheese and meat.
Fig: The first new crop Black Mission Figs have started. Called ‘Breba’ this early fresh harvest is limited and over quickly. The second full-bloom crop comes on in the late summer.
Kent Mango: The size of a Tommy Atkins, but with the taste and texture of a creamy Ataulfo! This popular variety has sweet rich, vibrant flavor and tender flesh with minimal fibers. Great for snacking, juicing and dehydrating.
Lemon Cucumber: Despite its name, this variety does not taste like lemons. It is lemon shaped with pale yellow tender skin. Mild cucumber flavor and very crunchy and juicy!
Orient Express Eggplant: Early season Asian variety with tender and delicate flavor. Versatile and great in stir-fries, stews, or roasted!
Plum & Pluot: The season is off to a slow start with limited availability. The Flavorosa pluot (purple skin/red flesh) and Red Haven red skinned plum are here now. More to come in the season! Check out Plum & Pluot guide for an overview of different varieties.
Reed Avocado: Large round creamy heirloom variety available in limited quantities. Perfect for guacamole, or slicing on a sandwich, burger or salad. Bonus: The skin is thick and sturdy enough to use as a natural bowl. Just mash and add salt!
Safflower: 14 count bouquets now available for pre-order from Thomas Family Farm in Aptos, CA. Safflowers are part of the sunflower family and have brightly colored yellow, orange, or red petals. They are also a staple in the culinary world and used in sweet and savory dishes, dressings, and teas.
Promotable
Baby Broccoli: AKA Broccolini. Supply is steady; check out our specials pricing!
Cherry: Ask for good deals on the last of the California sweet red cherry crop, help our growers finish up before the Pacific Northwest kicks in.
Green & Red Seedless Grape: Production is picking up; prices are coming down.
Lettuce: Aka Leaf is plentiful. Romaine, Greenleaf, Redleaf, Red Butter—we got ‘em all!
Melon: Mini Seedless Watermelon and Cantaloupe are plentiful. Great items for promotion during the warmer weather!
Nectarine & Peach: Volume available on yellow and white peaches and nectarines. Multiple varieties, sizes and labels to choose from! Ask your Account Manager for guidance. Check out the ‘Valley Pride’ label, a family-run business representing several small growers in California’s Central Valley, and Balakian Farms, a 4th generation BIPOC farm located in Reedley, CA.
Ruby Grapefruit: We’re still enjoying some late season citrus gems such as the Ruby grapefruit from B&J Ranch. The sweet-tart flavor is the perfect addition to seasonal fruit salads or fancy drinks like this Paloma mocktail.
Strawberry: Local supply is at its peak brings great flavor, availability and promotable pricing. Check out the open pint option from Blue House Farm and clamshell packs from new labels JSM Organics, Sea Level and Sun Valley. JSM also offers an eco-friendly compostable ReadyCycle clamshell.
Zucchini: The California season is here and now. Supply is plentiful for this versatile summer squash.
Limited
Avocado: Strange as it is, some large size Hass are getting very scarce already, 48 count in particular.
Cauliflower: Supply is limited once again, costs are back up.
Celery: Still limited, costs remain high.
Corn
Deglet Date: Gapping
Maitake Mushroom: Continue to be limited due to an issue during fruiting.
Lime
Jumbo Yellow and Sweet Onion
Parsnip: Gapping until mid-June
Raspberry
Yellow Bell Pepper
Done for the Season
Abate Fetel Pear
Alex Lucas Pear
Kumquat
Jicama – almost
Sour Pie Cherry
Produce Resources
Check out the Customer Toolbox on our website (login required) for more produce resources!
Merchandising Corner
How to Merchandise Stone Fruit
While stone fruit practically sells itself, it’s always nice to help it along with a colorful, well stocked display, product information, or by featuring particular growers. Here are a few suggestions to keep the momentum going throughout the entire season.
- Delicately stack items like peaches and nectarines. 2 layers high is perfect. 3 layers high is okay, but anything higher or heavy may bruise fruit.
- Use baskets or fiber pints to merchandise smaller-sized fruit like plums or apricots. These fruits can easily get lost in large retail displays; baskets help them stand out. Easy to grab & go!
- Include signage with helpful product information such as grower profiles, flavor notes, how to tell when the fruit is optimally ripe and ideas on how to prepare.
- Cut up a few pieces of each variety to sample out to customers. This helps introduce different varieties and has customers shopping with their tastebuds!
- Don’t forget your color and texture breaks. Red and black plums and vibrant cherries are great for breaking up the high traffic peach and nectarine display. Color-breaks keep your display from blending all together; each variety pops out, grabbing attention.
You can also check out our handy stone fruit variety overview as you make your shelf talkers.