Spring is in full swing, and so are snap peas! California-grown sugar snap peas are starting to roll in. These vibrant green pods are crisp, juicy, and bursting with sweet, fresh flavor.

Beloved for their tender edible pods and sweetness, snap peas are a hybrid of snow peas and English peas. They were developed in the 1970s by plant breeders to combine the best of both pea varieties: sweetness and crunch, fully developed peas, but with no shelling required. With all the same bright color and sweet pea flavor, these babies are ready to go and are a huge time saver!
Peas have long been celebrated in many cultures around the world. In Chinese cuisine, snap peas are often stir-fried with garlic or ginger and side-by-side with more traditionally used flat snow peas for a savory side dish. In French kitchens, snap peas have been quickly adopted as a fresh staple of springtime sautés and elegant salads. In Mediterranean regions, peas are often included in stews and soups. Whether tossed in a salad, sautéed, or simply a raw snack, they’re the ultimate springtime treat.

The season is just starting up; availability should improve. Unusual weather patterns for the last couple of weeks: extreme heat followed by heavy rain and cool weather have contributed to a slower start than expected. Please be patient with the peas!

Weather Watch

Northern and Central California received a deluge of showers last weekend (and more is expected next week!). While April showers do bring May flowers, they also wreak havoc on some fragile spring crops, including early stone fruit and asparagus. Cherries are especially vulnerable to rain. The trees absorb the rainwater, causing developed fruit to crack as they bloat from the extra density. We’re hopeful and praying to Mother Nature that damage to the early crop is minimal. Cool weather is also slowing crops down, such as peas, blueberries, and melons.

New & Exciting!

Aloe Vera: Fresh, local 1-pound bags are here from Knoll Farm! Great for health-conscious shoppers looking to use aloe in juices, smoothies, or skincare routines. Stock up and support local while it’s available.

Burroughs Family Farms Eggs: We’re now carrying brown pasture-raised AA large organic eggs from Burroughs Family Farms, a fifth-generation family farm nestled in the northern San Joaquin Valley near Yosemite National Park. The Burroughs family’s hens are raised on open pastures, where they have plenty of fresh air and open space to roam. The result is a rich, nutrient-dense organic egg that tastes better and is higher in Vitamins A and D. Burroughs’ egg operation is certified regenerative, demonstrating their commitment to regenerative practices.

Cherry: The first red cherries are arriving, and prices are stiff to start. See Weather Watch report above for more details on this vulnerable favorite.

Dragonfruit: Ecuador-grown red flesh dragon fruit is in — strikingly beautiful with its deep magenta interior and a naturally sweet, berry-like flavor.

Fava Bean: One of spring’s best kept secrets — buttery, rich, and subtly nutty. The season is short, enjoy these while you can!

Heirloom Cherry Tomato Medley: A colorful mix of red, yellow, and purple heirloom cherry tomatoes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Packed in a recyclable paperboard clamshell.

FreshCut Retail Kits: Josie’s Organics is bringing some exciting new FreshCut items to the lineup. The Coleslaw is crisp and classic — a perfect ready-to-dress side for grilling season. The Power Mix is loaded with nutrient-dense greens and includes julienned cabbage, kale, broccoli stalk, and carrots for a satisfying side or salad. Riced Cauliflower is a versatile low-carb staple that will be popular with health-conscious shoppers.

Melon: Who else is excited for melon season?!

• Cantaloupe: Sweet Mexican-grown cantaloupe is back in the mix! Fragrant, juicy, and perfect for fruit salads, smoothies, or enjoying fresh.
• Honeydew: Don’t sleep on honeydew this season. Blend it into an agua fresca, wrap it in prosciutto for an easy appetizer, or keep it simple with a squeeze of lime. Versatile, refreshing, and flying off shelves as the weather heats up.
• Watermelon: Mini Seedless are personal-sized and perfectly sweet. Full-size watermelon bins are also now available in 45 and 60 count. Preorder with your Account Manager!
  

Pixie Tangerine:  Starting up from Shore Packing! Expect strong availability on pixie sizing, with tighter supplies on medium. These were the sweetest and juiciest during our staff tasting!  Volume is limited this season and it may be a short run, so get your orders in early while you can.

Rhubarb: A springtime classic is here! Tart and vibrant, rhubarb is beloved for pies, jams, compote, and cocktails. Very limited to start but we expect availability to improve as the season progresses.

Short-Day Onion: With Spring comes the arrival of new crop or “short-day” onions.  Spring/summer onion varieties are called “short-day” because they are planted in the fall and their growing patterns are matched to days with shorter periods of sunlight. Short-day onions are sweeter (and less pungent) than storage onions. Because they are freshly harvested and packed, they may have less paper covering, have thinner, lighter-colored skins, and higher moisture content. Be gentle, as they can bruise more easily. These are best used fresh and not over-cooked.

Promotable

Bartlett Pear: We have volume on both green and red Bartletts right now; now is the time to promote. Display them together for a stunning two-tone presentation and let the flavor sell itself — sweet, juicy, and buttery at their peak. Stock up and feature them big.

Cherimoya: AKA the Custard Apple.  A sweet, tropical fruit with a creamy texture; the flavor is similar to banana and pineapple. Eat when soft and skin is dark, like an avocado. We like to eat it chilled and with a spoon like ice cream! Also fun to bake, cut in half and roast until caramelly!

Hass Avocado: California season is finally in full swing; check out great deals for Las Palmalitas Ranch fruit. Exceptional quality and flavor!

New Crop Yellow Potato: California-grown and freshly harvested. New crop potatoes are generally dug before they’re fully mature. This gives their flesh a creamy, tender texture and a sweet flavor. They’re also higher in moisture and lower in starch.

Red Bagged Beet: Well-stocked and ready to promote — they’re a smart grab for shoppers who want all the earthy, sweet flavor of fresh beets without the hassle of trimming greens. A clean, convenient alternative to bunched, with a longer shelf life to boot.

Ruby Grapefruit: Still at its peak — juicy, vibrant, and sweet with a bright tang. Ideal for breakfast, salads, or cocktail menus.

Slicer Cucumber: Slicers are abundant. Prices are dropping. Great promotional item for both 36ct & 42cts

Spring Onion: The young, early-season version of a mature bulb onion — milder, sweeter, and fully edible from bulb to green top. Available in Red and White. Delicious raw, grilled whole, or cooked in your favorite savory dishes.

Strawberry: Locally-grown, great flavor, and vibrant color. Now is the time to promote California strawberries!

Limited

Asparagus: Durst is limited due to rain and stormy weather in Yolo County.

Del Cabo Cherry Tomato

Green Bean: Still limited and the California season is several weeks away. Check out Josie’s FreshCut green beans as a convenient, ready-to-eat alternative.

Passionfruit: Sad news: the season is almost over, but a few last picks are expected in small quantities.

Raspberry: Extremely limited.

Sweet Potato: Stokes are gapping. Jewels, Japanese, and Charleston Purples supply is tightening and price is going up due to the overall national supply chain being impacted by weather and experiencing huge crop losses.

Sweet Peppers: Very limited.

Done for the Season

Cocktail Grapefruit