In this issue:
Feature - Imported organic fruit
Update on organic spring veggies
Contact us
Imported
organic fruit
We've talked a lot over
the past year about the strong commitment that Goodness
Greeness has to supporting local and regional organic
growers here in the Midwest. In last week's
newsletter, for example, we brought you up-to-date on
our sponsorship and activities at the FamilyFarmed .org Expo
in Chicago. This premier event was all about
supporting local growers.
However, we all have
come to enjoy and expect fresh fruit year-round.
And, particularly at this time of year, the only way to get fresh fruit
now is to import it from other regions or countries.
Times have changed since
bananas and pineapple were the only fruits that were
imported in large quantities. And in late March and April,
traditionally your choices for fresh fruit were slim - apples and pears had been in storage since fall and
often were getting a little "ripe".
But the world is a
smaller place now and we have a truly global reach. Today we have many choices for
fresh organic fruit from many different countries, making
most fruit a year-round reality for you. There is now
an efficient (and amazing to me) international infrastructure for growing,
transporting and delivering fresh fruit to you.
Apples and pears
Staring this week, we
have a delightful choice of fresh, organically grown apples
and pears from Argentina and Chile. Remember, as we
start spring here in Chicago, South American growers are
starting fall - the harvest time for apples and pears.
Here are the freshly picked (we call them "new crop") fruits
that are here (or coming soon):
Apples
Organic Gala apples
Organic Granny Smith apples (coming in next few
weeks)
Organic Braeburn apples (coming in next few
weeks)
Pears
Organic Bartlett pears
Organic Red Bartlett pears
Organic Abate Fetel pears (coming next week)
 You
probably know Gala and Granny Smith apples quite well.
But you may not know about Braeburns, which are one of my
favorite fruits. Braeburns are attractive -
they're green with a rich dark red blush. They have a
wonderful flavor - crisp and tangy. Braeburns make an
enjoyable snack and they are one of the best cooking apples
(and they are excellent keepers).
 Likewise,
you most likely know and love Bartlett pears. But what
is this thing called "Abate Fetel"? No, it is not a
yoga position and it is not a new rock group.
Abate Fetel's are long,
banana-shaped pears, noted for their sweet, fruity flavor.
They are medium to large in size, with a smooth russet color
over a yellow background.
And, by the way, the name
comes from a French monk that first bred this tasty variety
(in the fifteenth century).
A side
note
on local growers
With a growing variety of
imported fresh organic fruit available "off-season", the
consumer has a considerable choice of fruit at the market
that didn't exist even ten years ago. But the local
grower in the country of origin benefits as well.
Many growers in these
countries are not as well off as we are, rely on farming as
a way of life and struggle to make a living. In many
cases, the opening of new markets (that is, for you) allows
them to keep their families together and to make a living.
By buying imported
organic fruit in our "off-season", you make it possible for these dedicated
growers to stay on the land and do the work that they love.
In buying imported
organic fruit, you make this possible. Imported fruit
is local to somebody!
Update
on organic spring veggies
The organic vegetable
market is in a seasonal transition right now. Winter
vegetables from Mexico (and southern Arizona) are finishing and there is a slow
transition to early spring vegetables in the San Joaquin
valley and Salinas areas of California.
Both of these California
areas have been hit in March with a double whammy of record
cold and record rains. As a result, you may see some
spot shortages (and higher prices) on certain early spring
crops.
Despite these unusual
natural events, Goodness Greeness has a good supply of fresh
organic early spring veggies. The harvest is
increasing and the quality is good, especially considering
the recent weather in California. Look for these items from
Goodness Greeness over the weekend and in the next few weeks
at your local organic market:
Bunched
radishes
Green onions
Chard
Romaine lettuce
Bok choy
Cauliflower
We'll keep you posted
over the next few weeks on the availability and quality of
these early spring veggies as this transition continues.
Contact
us
You can find
our imported organic fruit and early spring veggies - along
with a broad selection of fresh organic
fruits and vegetables - from Goodness Greeness at your local market.
Email us
at
newsletter@goodnessgreeness.com if you can't find them and we'll help you
locate them.
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