Fresh From the Field Fridays

From Ancient Times to California Fields - The Story of the Cantaloupe

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, California melons are in from El Centro, and May marks the beginning of California cantaloupe season. Dan the Produce Man dives deep into the fascinating history of the cantaloupe - from ancient times, to the papal villa where the melon is believed to have received its name, to the American railroad system that helped spread cantaloupes across the United States. Did cantaloupes really kill a pope? And how did they actually help save lives during World War II? Dan breaks it all down. Also on the table this week - a few early apricots, sweet Coachella Valley corn, and an update on the California cherry crop. It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media. Check out AgLifeMedia.com today.

Fresh for 50 Years - Dan The Produce Man Looks Back

It was May of 1976 when 15-year-old Dan the Produce Man walked into a produce market in his hometown of Alameda, California. That’s where it all began. This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Patrick Kelly joins Dan to look back on some of the moments, memories, and fun from Dan’s 50 years in the fresh produce industry. From retail to wholesale, foodservice distribution, home delivery, and owning his own produce company, Dan’s journey through five decades in produce has been one incredible ride. Join us as we celebrate 50 years in the produce business. It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media. Check out aglifemedia.com today.

Hot Seasonal Picks - Papayas, Pixies & Apricots and More...

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man has a whole lineup on the table - starting with rain-damaged Apache apricots and as peaches and nectarines begin filling the stands we’re saying goodbye to one of the season’s favorite citrus items - sweet, easy-peeling Ojai Pixie tangerines. Dan shares a quick purple artichoke tip, talks about items for his Juice Cleanse, Maradol papayas, white asparagus, how to pick out the freshest greens, and even how to sweeten up your juice naturally without adding fruit. Plus - Sweetest Batch strawberries, gold kiwi from New Zealand, and a whole bunch more. It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays from the Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media [https://aglifemedia.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com].

Inside Sandy Shore Farms - Asparagus, Regenerative Farming, and Community

This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man is joined by Marc Wall and Neil Smith of Sandy Shore Farms in Ontario, Canada. And right now, one of the big crops coming out of Ontario is asparagus. Marc and Neil talk about the Canadian asparagus season, how they work alongside growers in Michigan and New Jersey, and how imports from Mexico are affecting the market. They also share why customers in their area are so receptive to local crops, the differences between asparagus varieties, and how those varieties all trace back to one mother plant. We also get into fresh processing with peppers and onions, food bank donations, reducing plastic, regenerative farming, cover crops, and what it takes to grow quality produce on a community-oriented family farm. It’s all right here on Fresh From the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media. Check out aglifemedia.com today.

Are Imported Pears Crushing California’s Bartlett Crop?

This week on Fresh From The Field Fridays… Dan is joined by Chris Zanobini from the California Pear Advisory Board. We’re digging into what’s really going on with imported pears flooding the market right when California fruit - especially Bartletts - is coming on. What that means for our growers, what you’re seeing at retail, and why it matters more than most people realize. We also get into how the produce industry - and you as a consumer - can actually be part of the solution. Fresh From The Field Fridays is brought to you by The Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media. Check out aglifemedia.com today.