Earl's Organic Produce

Sweet Tutti Frutti Farms English Peas are the large Mr. Big Variety. Chris Cadwell was born to be a farmer. A descendent of a long line of farmers, he was only 15 years old when he started his first organic garden. In 1988 he founded Tutti Frutti Farm and now has over 400 acres of organic english peas, snap peas, heirloom tomatoes, specialty cherry tomatoes, a variety of sweet and hot peppers, zucchini and winter squash. Tutti Frutti is situated in beautiful Santa Barbara wine country near California’s Central Coast. The location, climate, and the farm’s dedication to long-range sustainability all come together to produce consistently delicious organic vegetables. Mitch Burnham, Quality Assurance Specialist, tells us why Tutti Frutti English Peas are so flavorful! https://youtube.com/shorts/9qIhTWOf4hc?feature=share

From cosmetologist to farmer, Maria Iniquez grows delicious organic California strawberries in San Luis Obispo County. See how Maria fell into the life of farming and now runs Arroyo Grande Berry Farm. http://bit.ly/arroyograndeberryfarm #passion4organic #followtheflavor Living Essence Kitchen

Covilli Organic Valencia Oranges are grown in San Jose De Guaymas, a coastal region in Sonora known for its microclimate and juicy, high-brix, robustly flavored fruit. The citrus orchards were the first to be planted in the area about 50 years ago. Over the years the land became semi-abandoned. Covilli saw an opportunity to partner with the Association of Citrus Growers of Sonora, made up of 12 growers, to make a substantial positive impact on growers, communities and organi...c standards throughout Mexico, while offering consumers safe, socially and environmentally responsible organic citrus choices. Covilli spent years working closely with 3 motivated growers in the Association of Citrus Growers of Sonora to help make the transition to Certified Organic. The goal is to for the growers to become Fair Trade as soon as possible, but it is a process. We are trying to change agricultural systems, putting our money where our mouth is. Placing faith and trust in the consumer, while continuing to educate them on how we are all interlinked in this holistic food system. Alex and Iris Madrigal http://bit.ly/covillipartnerswithsonoravalenciagrowers #passion4organic #followtheflavor Covilli Brand Organics See more

Although we can't all be together at this time, the women of Earl's represent all departments! Transportation, Sales, Purchasing, Marketing, Accounting, HR, Sustainability, Admin, Quality Control, Inbound and Outbound! We are here to make sure you receive quality organic produce and excellent customer service. #passion4organic #womeninagriculture #internationalwomensday

Variegated Pink Lemons are easy to spot by their vibrant green streaks against a bright yellow background. The pretty pink flesh gives a nice burst of tartness and has less seeds than a Eureka lemon. As the fruit matures the green stripes begin to fade and they become less acidic. It was discovered as a sport on a Eureka lemon tree in Burbank, California in 1930 and is also called a variegated Eureka lemon or pink-fleshed Eureka lemon. The stunning pink color is from its high concentration of the antioxidant lycopene, however it does not yield pink juice. Lemon slices or a peel of the pretty rind really shine in a beverage of your choice, highlight them as a garnish or use them in a dish needing an extra kick of tartness. #passion4organic #followtheflavor California Grown Rainbow Valley Orchards

Bartlett Pears from Argentina, also known as the Williams Bartlett, are the delicious piece of fruit we all recognize and love with its sweet flavor and smooth texture. Pears are picked green but not ripe. They ripen from the inside out and have a fragrant aroma, but how do you know when your pear is ripe? One way is to check the color. The Bartlett pear skin brightens as it ripens and the deep green skin will soften to a golden hue. Touch is another way. Apply gentle pre...ssure to the neck or stem area of the pear and it will give slightly when it is ready to eat. The best way of all is to spend time getting to know your pear. Experiment with cutting them up at different times. You will get to know the exact color and feel of your pear when it is perfectly ripe. Timing is everything! Remember, all pears need to ripen at room temperature. Bartlett Pears from the Southern Hemisphere run from March-July. California historically starts up with Bartlett Pears the end of July or beginning of August out of the Sacramento and Stockton River Delta region. Bartlett pears are perfect eaten out of hand, tossed in a salad, used for canning, preserves, syrups and they are great paired with cheese! BARTLETT PEAR SALAD WITH DRIED CHERRIES AND CANDIED WALNUTS https://minimalistbaker.com/pear-salad-dried-cherries-cand/

At an Earl's Organic Produce welcome station for employees, Erik offers greetings and takes temperatures. #EssentialWorkers

Gold Nugget Mandarins have bumpy skin, are very aromatic and easy to peel. Fruit is seedless with a rich and sweet flavor. Season starts in San Diego County and overlaps and finishes in the foothills of Fresno County.

Thank you Carolyn Lasar and Janna Cordeiro for spearheading the amazing food recovery program on San Francisco Produce Market We are proud to be part of this essential program and one of the many amazing companies coming together to bring food security to so many people.

Earl’s Exclusive! Covilli Brand Organics Fair Trade Certified Purple Brussels Sprouts are back! Beautiful shades of purple ranging from a deep, dark purple to a bright violet. Purple Brussels are a little sweeter and have a more mellow flavor than green brussels sprouts. Purple foods are full of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which help fight free radicals, and may offer anti-inflammatory benefits and help to improve cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The great news is that they keep their purple color after cooking! Try this delicious recipe to highlight the purple color. ROASTED PURPLE BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD WITH SPICED SEEDS https://thedevilwearssalad.com/purple-brussels-sprouts-salad

Did you know the Fuerte avocado used to be the #1 most popular avocado in the states? So why is it that the Hass avocado is everywhere and we don’t see the Fuerte very often anymore? Although the Hass variety was discovered in the early 1930’s by a postman from Pasadena it had a very undesirable look with its thick bumpy skin that turned almost black when ripe. In the 1970’s large scale production, transportation and marketing efforts convinced the consumer how delicious th...e Hass was with its high oil content. Now the Hass makes up 80% of all avocados consumed in the entire world. The Fuerte is a cross between the native Mexican and Guatemalan species and means strong in Spanish because it can withstand temperatures as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit. The medium sized pear shaped fruit is easy to peel and has smooth green skin that stays green after ripening. The flesh is a creamy pale green with a light smooth taste that compliments any salad. #cagrown #passion4organic #followtheflavor http://bit.ly/cafuerteavocado

The adorable tiny Kishu Mandarin is fragrant and sweet! Originally from Japan it is smaller than a golf ball with a bright glossy orange skin. The top and bottom have a small depression that makes it a dream to peel. Put a handful in your coat pocket for a snack anytime! Grown by En Divina Luz "In Divine Light" in Riverside County not far from the Pacific Ocean.

2020 has been plenty scary for us but the Earls team got into the Halloween Spirit! The winner of this year’s pumpkin carving contest really took it to the next level. Congratulations SPENCER LEVY! Runner up prizes go to Vianney Trujillo and David Navarro! Great costumes from all departments. Have a fun and safe Halloween!! #halloween2020 Don't forget to set your clock back an hour!

Cranberries are America’s Original Superfruit. All fresh cranberries are dry harvested once a year between mid-September through early November. Now is the time to stock up on cranberries!! See Cranberry Shrub recipe below. Cranberries grow on vines planted in bogs with a mixture of moist acid peat soil and sand which allows them to thrive in harsh weather conditions. Unlike wet harvesting where the cranberry bogs are flooded so that the fruit can be harvested while floati...ng, dry harvest vines must be completely dry. The pickers drive self-propelled harvesters (think vibrating lawn mower with conveyor belt to burlap bag attachment) over the dry vines. The fruit is then taken to the packing shed to be graded and screened based on color. Lastly, the berries are bounce tested. Good berries will bounce because of their air pockets and the soft berries that do not bounce are discarded. Fun Facts! Cranberries will last for a year in the freezer and can be frozen in the package they come in. Cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North America and many of the cultivars have been propagated directly from these ancient wild super-foods. They were initially called ‘craneberries’ because the flower, stem and calyx resembled the neck, head and bill of a crane. Cranberries boast many nutritional benefits including promoting urinary tract health, protecting beneficial gut microbial and providing a wide range of phytochemical and micro-nutrient for overall immunity and health. Organic cranberries are free and devoid of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers. Make a holiday shrub with cranberries, sugar and vinegar. Perfect for cocktails at home and the perfect holiday gift. Add seltzer water to any shrub for a refreshing drink anytime. https://www.marthastewart.com/10951/bourbon-cranberry-shrub Read the full blog for more recipe ideas and cranberry health benefits http://bit.ly/cranberriesamericassuperfruit

October is Fair Trade month. Equal Exchange Bananas grown in Ecuador are Organic and Fair Trade Certified. Meet Mariana Cobos, Equal Exchange Produce Partner. Mariana has been producing bananas since 2004. Before becoming a member of El Guabo Cooperative in 2008 Mariana struggled to make ends meet when traditional banana brokers did not pay a fair price for her bananas. These middlemen traders were the only place she could sell her bananas before joining the coop. Mariana now grows bananas on 11.5 hectares in La Libertad, Ecuador. Shop Fair Trade and make a difference in the lives of the farm workers and their families. #passion4organic

Each year our friends and farmers from Australia visit Earl's Organic, CCOF Organic and organic farms throughout California as part of their Aussie Organic Trade Mission. Meluka Australia has created a limited edition Wildfire Rescue Organic Raw Honey TTF32 in direct support of our fellow organic farmers impacted by wildfires and hardship in 2020. In partnership with the CCOF Foundation’s Hardship Assistance Fund, 100% of the sales proceeds will be directly donated to the hands that help feed us. Every purchase counts towards raising hope and giving financial help to these farmers in recent times of crisis. https://melukaaustralia.com//limited-edition-black-label-r

Earl’s Organic congratulates Carson Evers on his promotion to a Buyer position. Carson will be responsible for product procurement and the profitability of select organic commodities. Carson began his career at Earl’s in QA/IC in July of 2015. After a couple years in Operations, he was promoted to a Sales Representative. Carson has continued to lend a hand in Operations and other areas as needed, he has great knowledge of the business from his experience in different departments. Carson also brings sales and produce experience from his past, including a Sales role at Driscoll’s Strawberries. #passion4organic https://bit.ly/kitchensandeverspromoted

Earl’s Organic congratulates Jonathan Kitchens on his promotion to Purchasing Manager. Jonathan will be responsible for team leadership and overseeing all product categories to ensure their alignment with the company’s mission and goals. Jonathan began his career in produce in the late 1990’s as a driver for The Box Bay Area Organic Xpress one of the first all organic home delivery companies in California. Before coming to Earl’s, he was the produce buyer for the Good E...arth Natural Foods stores in Marin county where he worked for 5 years. He has been with Earl’s for 2 years as a fruit buyer. Jonathan is passionate about Earl’s, organic agriculture and sustainability. His knowledge and his personal commitment to our industry makes him uniquely suited for this new role in the Purchasing team. #passion4organic https://bit.ly/kitchensandeverspromoted

Persimmons unlike many fruits will keep longer if left at room temperature. Once they are in the refrigerator they will go soft faster and will need to be eaten quickly. Look for persimmons with smooth skin and no bruising. Persimmons are an excellent source of Vitamin A, C and fiber and full of antioxidants. Fun Fact: Did you know that the light colored, fine-grained wood from a persimmon tree is used to make billiard cues, drum sticks, golf clubs and furniture? Find out where persimmons are grown, the best way to eat a Fuyu and a Hachiya plus the winning James Beard persimmon bread recipe in our latest blog https://www.earlsorganic.com/news/bright-orange-persimmons/

Fuyu and Hachiya Persimmons are here! Fuyus can be eaten out of hand but you absolutely need to wait on a Hachiya to turn jelly soft before eating or you will be hit with a tannic mouthful. Click the image below for more info on each variety. We love making the James Beard Persimmon Bread with Hachiyas. https://www.davidlebovitz.com/persimmon-bread/

Fair Trade Organic Dole Pineapples grown in Costa Rica are available year round. To earn Fair Trade certification, farms must adhere to rigorous social, environmental and economic standards. Once certified, the fruit grower or farm workers, will have a fair price for their business and the farm workers directly earn an additional premium to invest in the community or business development with every purchase. They then vote on how to use the money to address their needs. This ...direct economic benefit is truly what makes Fair Trade unique, and is a process that takes time and dedication to be realized. Fair Trade certified products stand for environmental responsible production methods and welfare of the communities and surroundings. Two new community centers near Dole’s Muelle and Bosque Farms in Costa Rica, were made possible by Fair Trade purchases. Coming together the workers identified a critical need, saved over time, and invested their Fair Trade Funds in a project that will serve the community for decades to come. That’s the Fair Trade Difference at work. Unique in the fresh fruit industry, these centers were built to improve the quality of life of employees, and those in surrounding communities of Cutris in San Carlos and Guacimo in Limon, Costa Rica. Dole Organic Program Fair Trade Certified #fairtrademonth #shareyourfair

Kiwano Horned Melon taste like a mix of cucumber, kiwis and bananas when ripe. The fruit will have an orange rind and give slightly to gentle pressure when ripe. Cut in half like a kiwi fruit and scoop out the fruit or squeeze the cut fruit from the bottom and tilt the loosened fruit into your mouth. The seeds are edible but the real flavor is in the green flesh! Read about all the new fruit and veg items at Earl's Organic in our weekly Buyer's Notes! #passion4organic https://www.earlsorganic.com//earls-organic-buyers-notes-/

Earl’s Organic bananas are Fair Trade Certified every day of the year. Equal Exchange Bananas are grown in Ecuador by small farmers under the AsoGuapo Cooperative. Equal Exchange Equal Exchange West #FairTradeMonth

Happy October 1st and welcome to the kick off of Fair Trade Month! Earl’s Organic bananas are Fair Trade Certified every day of the year. Hilda works on the banana packing team for Cristian Bueno's small farm in Ecuador, cleaning organic bananas before they are cut into bunches. Cristian is a member of AsoGuabo cooperative. Fair Trade requires that the company pays decent wages, respects health and safety, and protects the environment. A few extra pennies per pound, the Fair Trade Premium, empowers farmworkers to democratically choose projects that make a difference in their community. #equalexchange #smallfarmersbigchange #coopmonth #banana

October is Fair Trade Month! Earl’s organic bananas are Fair Trade Certified every day of the year. Fair Trade requires that the company pays decent wages, respects health and safety, and protects the environment. A few extra pennies per pound, the Fair Trade Premium, empowers farmworkers to democratically choose projects that make a difference in their community. Download the weekly buyer's notes and Equal Exchange Fair Trade POS cards here http://bit.ly/earlsorganicbuyersnotesseptember27

The cute stout Honeynut squash is about 6" tall and looks just like a mini butternut squash. The outside has a deep honey color and the flesh has an intense sweet flavor that becomes almost caramel like when roasted. You won’t want to add maple syrup or brown sugar to this naturally sweet variety. The skin is similar to the delicata squash and does not need to be peeled, and they have three times the amount of beta-carotene! The Honeynut is grown for its flavor, rather than yield, and personal serving size. Roast at 425 for 20-30 minutes until tender. If you feel like getting a little fancier try this savory recipe for Honeynut Squash with Radicchio and Miso! Dwelley Family Farms California Grown https://www.bonappetit.com//honeynut-squash-with-radicchio https://www.bonappetit.com//honeynut-squash-with-radicchio