MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
October 5, 2001
Our last PRODUCE MAN PUZZZZLE dealt with a fall fruit: Koko, Stanford University's "talking" gorilla, used sign language to describe this fruit as "red, juice, corn, seeds." What is it? There's a story of a new chef who had recently graduated from culinary school and was in his first job as an executive chef in a white tablecloth restaurant. The owner of the restaurant wanted to make some jelly using this fruit, so the chef ordered a carton. Upon receiving the carton, the chef immediately called the produce company to inform them that the fruit was bad. "I cut one open, and it has already gone to seed." He was, as was Koko, the "talking" gorilla, were both referring to...Pomegranates! This week's PUZZZZLE deals with another fall item: Is the Pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable? See next week's "Fresh Tips" for the answer.
HURRICANE JULIETTE HURTS PRODUCE: Last week, Hurricane Juliette became a Category 3 hurricane, with wind speeds reaching 125 mph. The storm skirted Mexico's southwestern coast and into Baja California, killing 3 people, destroying hundreds of home and washing out highways and communication lines. 
By last Sunday, it had become a tropical depression, still bringing winds and rain to tomato growing regions in Baja California, which is producing vine-ripe tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes and grape tomatoes. Rains caused considerable water damage to tomato fields. Some growers in Baja have lost 100% of their plantings of tomatoes, crops they were harvesting right now. On mainland Mexico, in the state of Sonora, growers are also describing tremendous damage to melons and peppers that were to be harvested over the next 4 - 6 weeks. Many growers were just a week away from harvesting their Fall crop of Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon and Peppers, but heavy rains will cause a great loss. In some growing regions, as much as 15 inches of rain fell. For melon crops, since melons sit on the ground, that kind of rain will definitely cause mildew and decay. For peppers, which are off the ground, the plants will suffer from disease, which will weaken the pepper and mean much less yields and also much shorter shelf life of product. From Hermosillo in the north, south to Guaymas and Navajoa, many growers of melons, peppers and squash are saying that crops for the next 4 - 6 weeks will be greatly reduced. Also, in Sinaloa, in Los Mochis in the north to Culiacan in the south, heavy rains as late as August delayed ground preparation and planting of winter crops. This most likely will have a huge impact on vegetable supplies for the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Years. Crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash and tomatoes will all be greatly affected. The next 2 - 3 months may see some pretty strong roller coaster affects on supplies, quality and pricing.
"What can I do?""How can I help?"
"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America," says President George W. Bush. Terrorists can destroy a building, but they cannot destroy the benevolent heart of America. You may be looking for ways you can help. You can contact other organizations to help, like the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army or
Remember Always. Money is most needed, to help provide needs and a future for thousands of families and children. Outback Steakhouse is providing 100% of its income on October 11, directly to the families who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks. They are hoping to raise $12 million in one day. Even a card or letter sent through the American Red Cross or Salvation Army to families touched by the tragedies, can bring a warm smile during this cold time.
HEAT IN SALINAS: The first full moon of Fall is called the Harvest Moon, because it gives extra light to farmers to harvest their crops. Recently, "Indian Summer" weather has hit Northern California's row crops, particularly lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower. Temperatures throughout the Salinas Valley has been hitting at record levels. Even right along the coast, temperatures hit into the mid-90s, unusually warm for this time of year. Actually, these temperatures are unusually warm for anytime of the year for Salinas. Warmer day and night temperatures, combined with the Harvest Moon, will mean increased growth rates for the remainder of the crops in Salinas. Ultimately, this will cause some roller coaster affects for supply and quality. Growers in the Bakersfield area are about 2 - 3 weeks away from their harvest when they were hit with 100-degree temperatures. Growers are in the field assessing damage and what problems they will have at the time of harvest. It could be a bumpy ride into mid-November, when most growers transition into winter fields in Arizona.
KIWIFRUIT: California growers have started up for this year's crop. Most of Chilean fruit is basically finished. There are still some New Zealand fruit available. California new crop fruit will not have the sugar content as do the New Zealand fruit. As each day passes, sugar improves in California fruit. New Zealand fruit will be riper, but also will be ending very soon. For California fruit, you will have to order well in advance to ripen the fruit for serving.