FreshPoint

Breathe Some Fire into your Menu with Red Dragon Fruit!

Red Dragon Fruit, originally known as Pitahaya, is native to Central America, and is grown in the dryer tropic climates of Asia and the Americas. The fruit is related to the cactus pear, and grows on a vine-like member of the cactus family. Its cultivars have flesh of various colors: white, pink and the most...

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What is Caulilini?

Caulilini… It’s lyrical to say—it sort of rolls off the tongue—and even more lyrical to eat, this new darling of the brassica family is one of the most exciting new vegetables to hit the market in a while. So what is it? Grown by Mann’s, here’s how they describe it: “Caulilini™ SweetStem™ Cauliflower is the...

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The remarkable story of KAOAE Farm Bananas

Farmer Andy Sheaffer lost a lot of trees and banana plants during California’s historic Thomas Fire, but the family’s house was not harmed and his family and farm team are all safe, so he’s feeling grateful. But now comes the rain; it’s too much for recently burned terrain to absorb. Road closures are everywhere around...

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From chemistry teacher to staple on the farmers market: touring the Weiser Family Farm

FreshPoint Southern California recently visited the Weiser Family Farm for a tour and learning opportunity on the Tehachapi Grain Project. They were fortunate to have Alex Weiser as their tour guide, and he explained the farm’s history, walked through the cattle barns, and had a beautiful lunch made with local and sustainable ingredients. The Weiser...

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You haven’t had asparagus until you’ve had Zuckerman’s

“Doing cartwheels of joy!” — Karen Beverlin, The Produce Hunter The California Sacramento River Delta boasts exceptionally rich peat soil. This magnificent soil and the area’s climate combine to grow what many people consider the world’s best asparagus. In 2004, Russ Parsons’ prescient article about the state of California’s asparagus crop, Delicate Harvest in Crisis,...

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Give Peas a Chance

Give peas a chance, but if you include them in guacamole, people have opinions about that. Spring has sprung and that means it’s time for English (or garden) peas to grace your menus. You can serve them raw, but they also cook perfectly in just a couple of minutes. Take advantage of the herbaceous and...

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Pharaohs forbade mortals from eating morels, but not us.

Morels have always been highly prized, especially in ancient times by Egyptian pharaohs who believed Mushrooms were food of the gods. A discerning bunch, the pharaohs forbade mere mortals to consume Morels. There are seven distinct Morels in California, all in the family Morchellaceae (order Pezizales) but from three different groups: wood-chip habitat, naturals, and...

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Wonderful Things Happen when Farmers “Force” Treviso

 

Tardivo is the most elegant member of the Radicchio family. It has long, narrow, slightly curving leaves with the bitter flavor typical of all chicories.

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“Tropical flavors make winter bearable!”

Karen Beverlin, The Produce Hunter says, “Tropical flavors make winter bearable!” Every Rincon del Mar Ranch cherimoya is hand-pollinated, and every one is truly delicious. “It tastes like summer, but here it is, brightening up our winter—it is so delicious,” The Produce Hunter says.  Pictured above in the farmer’s hands, is beautiful Rincon del Mar...

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The Farm-to-Fork Capital of the World

The morning started pretty early for the FreshPoint Central California and Sysco Sacramento team who partnered together to bring various educational activities for the whole family at this year’s Farm-to-Fork festival in Sacramento, California. As tables and displays were setup, the space came together with a demonstration stage where local high school students from the...

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FreshPoint Central California is now Offering Locally Grown Farm Boxes

At FreshPoint, we know the value of working with small farmers and supporting the local economy. Read more about what our Central California location has been doing to promote their Locally Grown farm boxes.

Right from the farmer’s field and into their customer’s hands.

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Bananas for So Cal Bananas!

So Cal native son Andy Sheaffer is relatively new to farming. For years, he traveled the United States as a contractor specializing in slope stabilization and erosion control. Away from home six months of the year, Sheaffer wanted to spend more time at home with his wife and three children. Born, raised, and educated in Santa Barbara County, he put his feet firmly on home turf in 2008 by purchasing an Avocado and Lemon ranch with a 180 degree view of the Pacific Ocean. Soon after purchasing the land, Sheaffer made some big changes.

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Best time of the year for California Dates!

This is the best time of year for California Dates!  Our favorite variety is the Honey Date. Our farmer is harvesting the new crop now, and the quality is fabulous! This unique variety is one of three developed in California in the 1920’s by our farmer’s great-great uncle, Date pioneer Everett K. Davall. We love...

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The Chef’s Basket

  Caroline Ross, Produce Specialist, meets with Chef Troy Thompson of the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills twice a week to discuss upcoming events, menu plans, and the Chef’s Basket. Caroline has been working with Chef Troy for almost a year now. Prior to being appointed as the Executive Chef at the Beverly Hilton a...

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Brixing this week at 23.5!

This variety is so new it hasn’t been named yet, and still goes by its trial name, BN6. But a catchy name is unnecessary because this Nectarine is fabulous.

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A truly ancient fruit.

A truly ancient fruit, the Fig, can be traced back to 5,000 B.C.  Fig trees bear a first crop, called the breba crop, on last season’s growth.

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