Liepold Farms: Newly Certified Organic Berries!
On the foothills of majestic Mt. Hood in Oregon, in an area rich with agritourism, the Liepold family is in their 71st year of growing fruit and berries.
Third-generation Liepolds, Michelle and brother Jeff, along with their partners Paul and Jen, have taken the lead in the family business and are charting a bright future for the farm. Long dedicated to soil health and sustainable practices, Liepold Farms just completed its transition to organic certification.
Great news for fans of organic berries, as Liepold grows some Northwest favorites!
Don’t Miss Delectable Dragon Fruit
With intriguing skin and stunning vibrant flesh that’s quick to gain loyal fans, organic magenta Dragon Fruit is all the rage with eaters that enjoy a diverse fruit bowl. We’re proud to partner with our friends at Covilli in Mexico and Rainbow Valley Orchards in California to offer this gorgeous fruit!
Fill Shoppers Salad Bowls with Northwest-Grown Lettuces!
Although this June has been rainier than some Northwest residents would like, lettuces have been loving it! Salad season is certainly upon us, and plenty of leafy greens are available for shoppers to build into beautiful salads.
Our Willamette Valley grower partners are providing plenty of options to meet every eater’s needs!
Frog Hollow Farm Apricots
Lusty and luscious organic apricots from our friends at Frog Hollow Farm have something of a cult following. Asked for by name, these juicy gems leave little room for improvement and are enhanced by their whimsical label and the convenience of grab-and-go clamshells.
Organic Yellow Pitaya Dragon Fruit Toolkit
The vibrant yellow skin of this sunny Pitaya variety reveals a soft, white flesh studded with small, edible seeds. Also known as Dragon Fruit or Pitahaya, now is the perfect time to bring in this unique and refreshing tropical treat. Very juicy with a sweet and mild, lightly floral flavor, these vibrant, beautifully tasty and high-quality fruits make a stunning addition to tropical sets.
Now’s The Time For Nettles!
OGC Visits Oshala Farm & Their Medicinal Magic!
Whether enjoyed culinarily or selected for their hefty list of health benefits, spring is prime time for consuming Nettles! OGC is proud to partner with Oshala Farm to source these organically grown nutrient-dense greens, and recently jumped on the opportunity to visit farmers Elise and Jeff Higley in the field.
Great Grilling Sets to Inspire Memorial Day Meals and More!
The unofficial start to grilling season is just around the corner as Memorial Day nears! Great for eaters looking forward to dining al fresco and fantastic for driving sales across the department as shoppers fill their carts for spring and summer festivities. While the BBQs are getting dusted off, don’t miss opportunities to capitalize on fresh eating! Produce-packed salads, desserts and fruit and vegetable platters abound this season.
Pay extra attention to stocking these items over the next few months to satiate your shoppers’ cravings!
Get Your Green & White Asparagus from Northwest Growers!
Longer days and warmer nights have spears of organic asparagus poking up from their beds in the Pacific Northwest, much to the delight of eaters and growers! Once considered a fancy food, asparagus has become a mainstay in the kitchen, and shoppers are finding ways to incorporate it into meals any time of day.
California Stone Fruit Season Starts With Promises of a Sweet Summer!
The first varieties of stone fruit have begun to arrive from our grower partners in California. While the Northwest remains decidedly in the clutch of springtime’s cool temps and intermittent showers, these juicy gems are a delicious reminder that warmer days are on the way!
Learn what to expect in this stone fruit forecast!
Stock Up for Cinco & Mother’s Day, Too!
May brings more celebratory meals, this time calling for food with a latin flare and something lovely for mothers and maternal figures. With Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day falling just days apart, produce departments will be buzzing with shoppers including plenty of additions to their weekly grocery haul. Be prepared with OGC’s Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day checklists!
Ruby Red Rhubarb from Montecucco Farms
With a history of family farming in the region that spans a century, Montecucco Farms is a familiar name in Oregon and across the West Coast. Known for their exceptional organic rhubarb, a legion of fans look to Montecucco Farms each spring to satisfy cravings for this tart and tempting seasonal crop.
Rhubarb season is on, with crews harvesting tasty stalks from the farm’s picturesque field adjacent to the lovely Willamette River.
Eaters Are Loving Gem Avocado!
The first cases of organic Gem avocado made their way up to the Pacific Northwest this week, and feedback from avocado enthusiasts across the region is that Gem is a hit! Large, nutty and delicious, Gem is a California-grown treasure.
Satisfy Fruit Cravings with Intriguing Import Pears
While eaters wait for May harvests in Mexico and California to bring sweet cantaloupe and honeydew melons, juicy grapes, first-of-the-season golden apricots and plump red cherries, it's a great time to focus on the import pear category. Lure shoppers with interesting varieties from Argentina. Look to these three organic pears' alluring shapes and colors to add visual appeal to displays and phenomenal flavor to shoppers’ cheese plates and baked goods!
Available Now! Colorful & Crunchy Radishes From NW Growers
A simple sautée, a pull through good butter, or snacked on straight from the bunch, organic Northwest-grown radishes are a splendid springtime delight and there’s a lot to explore in this seasonal category!
Go Big on Sublime Citrus Now! Slimmed Down Sets Showcasing Staples Are Up Next!
With just a few short weeks of availability left on many citrus varieties, now’s the time to go all out on stunning displays featuring Navel, Cara Cara, Blood oranges and late-season mandarins such as Gold Nugget, Murcott and Pixie. As the diversity of citrus offerings wane over the next month, plan to transition to slimmed-down citrus sets featuring delicious staple varieties.
Calçot: Not Quite a Leek, Nor a Green Onion. Definitely Delicious.
Catalans know this alluring allium as a harbinger of spring and good times shared over plates of grilled food. Now, your shoppers can now enjoy this special scallion variety that is described as similar to a leek, larger than a green onion and milder in flavor than both.
Spring Outlook From OGC’s Expert Team of Buyers
OGC’s dedicated buying team shares commodity updates for what’s happening now, and what’s to come this season. Use their notes to anticipate challenges, lean into promotable items and plan your sets over the next few months!