In a normal year, we would all be scrambling to get ready for this coming weekend. Mother’s Day, college graduation weekend, and just a pretty spring weekend that brings people out and about all normally combine in a great shot of business for restaurants, caterers, and everyone in our industry. However, this year we’re all waiting on the Beer-Bug to go away so we can get back to work! Hopefully it’s almost gone, and Gov. Cooper is supposed to start opening the state back up on Friday the 8th. Continue to stay safe and we’ll all get through this together.
It’s springtime so there’s lots to talk about! Locally grown produce is about to explode! There’s lots of stuff coming on very soon and we’re excited to start getting it in for you.
NC strawberry growers are packing some of the prettiest berries they’ve had in years. Our very mild winter and early spring launched everything a little bit early this year. It’s staying pretty mild right now too, so hopefully that should extend their growing season as early summer heat normally wraps them up quickly.
Our local blueberries are set to kick off in a couple of weeks and if the weather stays like it has they’ll be awesome. A good amount of rain (but not too much) and warm but not hot days are perfect growing conditions so we expect a great year.
South Carolina has started their peach season and we always get the best peaches of the year from them. Early varieties will still be cling-seed, but we should be seeing free-stones within a month or so.
Our local squash season should begin very soon, and that always begins our vegetable season. Cucumbers will be right behind them and then we’ll be off to the races.
Nationally, sluggish demand has crushed many markets and keeping them at minimum levels. Onions, potatoes, dairy and a lot of other items used in foodservice are just not moving for the shippers and they keep dropping prices to find a number where they sell again.
