Stone Fruit Season is Here and Offers Endless Variety - Thanks to Zaiger Genetics
Stone fruit from California has landed and with it the promise of sensuous sunny days filled with delectable peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, plums, and pluots. The enthusiasm for this category at OGC is palpable, not only for the depth of flavors and colors it offers but that it provides produce-nerds something to really sink their teeth into.
Learn more about what to expect this season and why the name “Zaiger Genetics” makes the eyes of our stone fruit buyer, Brian Keogh, light up!
Oshala Farm’s Nettles
Oshala Farm grows three acres of organic nettles, which are traditionally a wildcrafted plant. “Many people have access to nettles, but others don’t, and the soil health and where they grow are significant,” says grower Elise Higley. “Native plants often grow in ecologically sensitive waterways where they keep their little feet wet, but not all waterways are clean, so cultivation is a great option.”
Delight Shoppers with Artichokes of All Sizes
Eaters and retailers excited for organic artichokes can plan spring-inspired meals and merchandising around this tasty crop! Large globe artichokes and petite baby artichokes are now available in fantastic volume and high quality for great eating.
NW Spring Onions: Extraordinary Fresh Flavor!
With the Northwest-grown storage onion season beginning to wrap up, and before the California onion crop comes in, now is the perfect opportunity to feature delicious organic spring onion bunches from Siri & Son Farms.
100 Years In Oregon: Montecucco Farms’ Top Notch Rhubarb and Root Veg
Spring means rhubarb and Montecucco Farms’ annual harvest is one that OGC eagerly anticipates!
Wholesum Family Farms: Tasty Tomatoes & Fair Trade Investments Make Them a Grower To Know!
Longer days mean lighter, more colorful meals as shoppers ditch the dutch oven and reach for the salad bowl! Helping keep eaters’ appetite for tasty warm-weather crops satiated during the Northwest’s cool, wet months are our friends Wholesum Family Farms. With locations in Arizona and northern and central Mexico, OGC is grateful for our long partnership with Wholesum. Beyond delicious crops, Wholesum is also a leader in Fair Trade, contributing to their communities in both the U.S. and Mexico.
Sunny Days Bring Increased Purple Sprouting Broccoli Harvest!
Though it may have been slow to start, the recent string of sunny spring days is coaxing the organic Purple Sprouting Broccoli crop from its winter slumber.
OGC Advocates for Alternatives to Polyethylene Mulch
Organic farmers only have so many tools for fighting weeds. Polyethylene mulch is one of those, but it’s not great for the environment. While we are known as an organic produce marketer and distributor, OGC is also an active advocate on organic supply chain issues and our work, in many ways starts, from the ground up.
Helping FOOD for Lane County Grow
FOOD for Lane County (FFLC), a vital resource and longtime community partner, shares OGC’s vision for a healthy and just food system. The friendship and support between the two organizations span decades, yet we continue to be amazed by their impact and heart.
NW Purple Sprouting Broccoli: Available Now, Volume Soon!
Late-season frost slowed the arrival of early PSB varieties resulting in less volume than we traditionally see this time of year. With plenty of sun in the forecast, we anticipate strong availability in the coming weeks, and we couldn’t be more excited! OGC’s Lucas Crawford shares his favorite way to prepare PSB!
Foods in Season: Satisfying the Growing Wildcrafted Market
The demand for wildcrafted foods, such as Morel mushrooms and Fiddlehead ferns, has grown year over year as eaters become more familiar with both the health benefits and complex flavor of these foraged goods. For the past 30 years, one of OGC’s partners for all-things-wild, Foods in Season, has helped provide our region with tasty morsels from the forest while providing essential work for generations of local families.
Little Gem Lettuce for Supreme Spring Salads!
Crisp, crinkly organic Little Gem lettuce from our friends at Tomatero Organic Farm makes for a perfect base for spring-inspired salads and lends a satisfying crunch to sandwiches. Learn more about this colorful lettuce variety that OGC coworkers can’t get enough of!
Shasta View Wheatgrass: Southern Oregon’s Nutritional Powerhouse Rising from the Ashes
Packed with nutrients, organic Shasta View Wheatgrass is an ideal addition to juice and smoothies for shoppers looking to level up their wellness routine. Learn more about the phenomenal family behind this powerful product, the challenges they have overcome this past year, and why now is a great time to feature wheatgrass in your produce display!
Honoring Tom Lively’s 32 Years with OGC
OGC’s beloved Tom Lively leaves the day-to-day to embark on a “retirement-ish” path starting April 1st. Since the start of his career in 1988, Tom has been influential in building OGC’s business and its culture. After 32 years of hard work, Tom moves into his retirement with a transition to “less work and more fun.”
Kristi Yoder, OGC’s Senior Sales Manager, honors Tom’s impact on our company, our community and the organic trade.
Early Spring Crops: Fresh Flavor For Eaters and Essential Income for Growers
Spring has arrived and with it a burst of color, flavor and essential income for growers. The seasonal bridge between slim winter months, and the harvest bounty of summer, spring offers some of the most exciting eating of the year!
Tender, fresh and often here-and-gone before you know it, spring varieties are fantastic for awakening shoppers' curiosity in the kitchen as they explore lighter meals featuring flavors coaxed out of hibernation by longer, sunnier days.
Late-Season Small Round Orange Things
The 2021 Citrus season has moved into its final months and with it, a bevy of late-season small round orange things are making their way up from ranches in California to tantalize shoppers! Learn to tell the difference between some of the tastiest varieties available now in this lineup!
Spotlight on OGC Coworkers
In the pursuit of “bringing organic produce to the people,” our talented and thoughtful team plays integral roles at every stage in the process. From ensuring coworkers benefit from a safe workplace to assuring the product heading out to customers is accurate, of the highest quality and arriving with on time delivery, these are just some of the highlights of the work OGC coworkers do. Meet a few of the coworkers who make OGC a fantastic place to be!
Salanova For Spring Salads!
Tender tasty spring greens are beginning to sprout up on availability lists, and one variety OGC coworkers are particularly excited to eat this season is organic Salanova.
Watch OGC’s Monique Kirby demo a delightful spring salad showcasing Oak Leaf Salanova!
Join OGC in Supporting Oregon SB 404-2. Written Testimony Due by 8 a.m., March 15!
Organic agriculture offers tremendous economic growth opportunities for all of Oregon, while also tackling climate change and improving human health. An exciting bill in the Oregon legislature would recognize these benefits for Oregon and dedicate state resources for organic agriculture and the organic trade.
Join OGC in submitting testimony!