FreshPoint

Produce 101: Pears

Learn how to choose a great pear for your menu, as well as how to ripen them in this episode of Produce 101: Pears.

What’s the best pear for poaching? What pear doesn’t usually oxidize and is great raw for salads? What pear is great for snacking? Different varieties have different kitchen roles and selecting the best one for the job can make a difference.

Ethylene can become a friend or foe when it comes to the storage and handling of your produce. Where do pears fall in relation to ethylene?

Let’s dig in.

Read more

Produce 101: Carrot, Onion, and Celery

Carrots, onion, and celery comprise the classic mix of French mirepoix vegetables. You might wonder why we grouped these together, well, these three are some of the unsung heroes of the kitchen, so they just fit well for this episode.

Read more

Produce 101: Avocado

Avocados often get a bad rap because they are pretty expensive fruit. In general they are, but like many fruits and vegetables, if you buy the grade according to your menu application, you may end up saving on your food cost. Avocado are popular for a good reason: they provide healthy fats, and play a...

Read more

Ark Foods: The Art of Making Farmer’s Market Quality Produce Accessible

A philosopher, an artist, and a farmer walk into a bar… Sounds like the start of a good joke, doesn’t it? But here’s the punchline: Peter Robbins is the bartender and he’s pouring Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot into all three of their wine glasses with his right hand while he reads Proust in his...

Read more

Produce 101: Winter Squash

Produce 101: Winter Squash– The Difference Between Summer Squash and Winter Squash You may wonder what a winter squash is versus a summer squash…well, the short answer is it’s a squash that’s allowed to fully mature. The seeds fully mature and become hard, the skin becomes a lot thicker, and the flesh is really dense–and...

Read more

Produce 101: Lettuce

Lettuce is one of those items that no menu can do without. Like the Mother Sauces a chef first learns in Culinary School, the goal of our Produce 101 series is to build a foundation of basic knowledge. You can make all sauces from the Mother Sauces, and as such, you can learn about, store,...

Read more

Produce 101: Grapes

Grapes were grown throughout antiquity, with evidence suggesting cultivation as early as 6500 BC.  There are three main types of grape uses: Grapes for wine Grapes for raisins, and Table grapes For Produce 101: Grapes, we are going to focus on table grapes only.   Grape Facts The oldest grapevine in America is thought to...

Read more

FreshPoint Oklahoma Tour: Eye on Strengthening Regional Economy

August 19, 2019 FreshPoint Oklahoma recently hosted six members of the Oklahoma State University Robert M. Kerr Food & Agriculture Products Center (FAPC) staff for a tour of FreshPoint’s produce distribution warehouse. The discussion included details on the history of FreshPoint Oklahoma’s local produce program, food safety information, details around third-party audits and success stories,...

Read more

Produce 101: Apples

Sizes, varieties, grades…selecting the best apple for the job is important. Let’s go pick some apples in this edition of Produce 101: Apples. Produce 101: Apples and a Brief History Around for thousands of years, apples are one of most ancient fruits still widely grown and consumed today. We all know the story of Johnny...

Read more

U.S. Congressman Ross Spano Tours FreshPoint West Coast Florida

FreshPoint West Coast Florida recently hosted a tour for United States Congressman Ross Spano, who represents the facility’s district, to raise his awareness about the broad scope of our business operations and introduce him to an array of our leaders. Representative Spano is currently in his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives and...

Read more

Produce 101: Berries

For this episode of Produce 101: Berries, we are going to focus on these four. There are hundreds of berry varieties grown around the world, and they are also are some of the most nutritious foods you can eat. The most commonly used are the four we will be discussing: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. ...

Read more

Produce 101: Tomatoes

Tomatoes are an ancient crop, thought to have originated in Central America centuries ago. While the tomato has become associated with Mediterranean cuisine, they were relatively late to the European pantry, not arriving until the 16th century.   Are Tomatoes a Fruit or a Vegetable? Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit, but the Supreme Court said...

Read more

What are the different types of eggplant?

If ever there was a cross-cultural vegetable (or technically speaking–a fruit–but I’m not here to upset you,) it would have to be eggplant. While most countries have a beloved recipe featuring eggplant, they also have a variation on the vegetable itself. The more common types of eggplant Let’s begin with the American eggplant, also known...

Read more

Produce 101: Cucumbers

Today we are going to talk about Produce 101: Cucumbers Cucumbers Are How Old? Cucumbers are one of the most ubiquitous items in the produce world, but did you know there are a few main types of cucumbers?  Cucumbers originated in India and are believed to have been cultivated for over 3,000 years.  Appreciated for...

Read more

Produce 101: Stone Fruit

For this episode of Produce 101: Stone Fruit, we will be discussing peaches, plums, nectarines, and cherries.  Are you ordering or storing your stone fruit for maximum freshness and flavor? All stone fruit sold is picked ripe, but that doesn’t mean it is ready to eat. You have a little homework to do on your...

Read more

Produce 101: Peas, Beans, and Corn

Produce 101: Peas, Beans, and Corn and How They Are Connected This one is a little different. Today we are going to talk about three seemingly different items, but focus on how they are intertwined. A good place to start with with the growing method. The Three Sisters is an ancient, symbiotic growing method that...

Read more

Produce 101: Melons

Dan talks to us today about Produce 101: Melons Throughout the season many varieties of melon are available—especially during the summer. Today we are going to just focus on the most popular: cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon. Few things are as delicious as perfectly ripe melon, but the challenge is how do you pick the perfect...

Read more

Produce 101: Tropical Fruit

Dan talks to us about Produce 101: Tropical Fruit Tropical fruits are an amazing family of produce items.  So, what designates a tropical fruit?  The short answer is that they are any fruit that grows in the regions between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, though many varieties have adapted to sub-tropical regions as well. ...

Read more

Sysco | FreshPoint Support Brad and Kimberly Paisley’s, “The Store”

Sysco Nashville and FreshPoint Nashville Announce Support of Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s The Store to Help Feed Those in Need NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Last week, Sysco and FreshPoint leaders attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s non-profit organization, The Store. The Store will operate as a free-referral based grocery store, allowing people...

Read more

Produce 101: Banana Guide

Bananas are sold by color and stage of ripeness. Let’s go over everything you need to know to order the perfect banana in Produce 101: Banana Guide. Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, and believe it or not, are actually a berry.  Bananas are grown in over 150 countries,...

Read more