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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Storms lead to happy tomato plants across the region - WRBL

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - Lighten your wallet with free food, deals, and specials that are sure to spark a smile with your friends and family this Fourth of July.

Due to constantly-updating COVID-19 regulations, be sure to call ahead to make sure these places are open and the deals are still being offered. If you are planning to head to a restaurant, due to limited capacity, you may want to make a reservation, especially for larger parties.>>>

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July 01, 2020 at 06:21AM
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Storms lead to happy tomato plants across the region - WRBL

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First Taste of Rusack's 'Boundless' Mission Grape Wine - Santa Barbara Independent

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Brought to California by the Spanish friars in the late 1700s, the mission grape occupies a curious place in global viticulture. In 2006, after centuries of mystery, the grapevine was determined to be the same as pais, which is grown mostly in Chile, and listan prieto, grown in the Canary Islands, generally following the route that Spanish colonists followed into the New World. 

The grape was long considered to make only tepid wine, which is why so much of it was historically turned into brandy. But a revival — particularly in the natural-wine, return-to-historic-roots set — is revealing that the grape can indeed make a variety of zesty styles, from pale whites and crisp rosés to darker-hued reds. This is happening quite a bit in not only Baja California but also Chile, the Canary Islands, and California. 


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In line with their decade-old project to grow grapes on Catalina Island — including zinfandel cuttings from the historic vines on Santa Cruz Island — the Rusack family also took cuttings of mission grape from the old island vineyard and planted them at their Ballard Canyon estate in 2015. The experiment hasn’t been easy. 

“It grows really fast and tries to produce large quantities of fruit, so we have to do some aggressive thinning,” said winemaker Steven Gerbac of the challenges. “It can have low acid, so we pick really early. It also doesn’t have a lot of color, so picking it with higher acid helps there, too.”

After a couple of trial vintages, Rusack Vineyards just released its first mission grape bottling, which is from the 2019 vintage. It’s packaged under their “Boundless” line of wines, a series that gives Gerbac freedom to play. “When those turn out well, we’ll release them,” he explained. “It’s never guaranteed that we’ll bottle the same wine twice.”

I drank most of an entire chilled bottle last Friday night almost by accident. For a red wine, it was light, crisp, and refreshing, with just enough acid to battle the snappy red fruit flavors.  “We are really looking for freshness here,” said Gerbac, who only made 36 cases and is selling the wine for $28, though it may already be gone. “We really just wanted to create a fun wine.”


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July 01, 2020 at 03:00AM
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First Taste of Rusack's 'Boundless' Mission Grape Wine - Santa Barbara Independent

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Total available grape shipments Coachella Valley at 1,645,558 units - FreshPlaza.com

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In Week 25, Flame Seedless shipments from the Coachella Valley amounted to 718,32118 lb Equivalent Units, as opposed to the 1,073,503 units shipped at this point last year.

Table grapes driven via Nogales included 1,073,443 units of Perlette grapes, 6,098,364 units of Flame Seedless and 2,131,475 units of Black Seedless Organic.

Click here to read the full datasheet.

Source: marketnews.usda.gov

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June 30, 2020 at 06:56PM
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Total available grape shipments Coachella Valley at 1,645,558 units - FreshPlaza.com

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Is A Tomato A Fruit? - Delish.com

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It’s a question that makes us contemplate everything we think we know about the world whenever it comes up: is a tomato a fruit?

By now, pretty much everyone knows that – believe it or not – a tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable. But why? What makes this savoury salad favourite sit in the fruit camp?

Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable?

Well, botanically-speaking, a fruit is a ripened flower ovary, which contains seeds. The seed element is the reason why tomatoes are technically considered a fruit. Courgettes, cucumbers, pumpkins and peppers are technically fruits and not vegetables for this reason too. Crazy, right?

According to Merriam-Webster, a fruit is “the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant.” In a blog post, the dictionary explained it in simpler terms: “Anything that grows on a plant and is the means by which that plant gets its seeds out into the world is a fruit.”

Whereas, technically, a vegetable is a part of a plant or the whole plant itself.

Scientifically, this is how we determine what a fruit or vegetable is, but of course in the culinary world, we think of fruits as sweet and vegetables as savoury.

Still with us?

is a tomato a fruit

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Well, if you’re confused, you’re in good company, because even the Supreme Court in America got involved in the debate back in 1893 when they were trying to decide if tomatoes should be taxed as fruit or vegetables under the Tariff Act of 1883, because, back then, only veggies were taxed.

Justice Horace Gray summed up the argument by saying: "Botanically speaking, tomatoes are the fruit of a vine, just as are cucumbers, squashes, beans, and peas.

“But in the common language of the people … all these are vegetables which are grown in kitchen gardens, and which, whether eaten cooked or raw, are, like potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips, beets, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, and lettuce, usually served at dinner in, with, or after the soup, fish, or meats which constitute the principal part of the repast, and not, like fruits generally, as dessert.”

If you’re still not sure what the hell is going on, just remember this quote from journalist Miles Kington and get on with the rest of your day…

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”

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June 30, 2020 at 08:10PM
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Is A Tomato A Fruit? - Delish.com

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Canned, cooked tomatoes can reduce the risk of prostate cancer according to Loma Linda University Health study - Yahoo Finance

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Canned and cooked tomatoes may reduce the risk of prostate cancer according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Loma Linda University Health. The study found that men who consumed canned and cooked tomatoes 5 to 6 times per week had a 28% decreased risk of prostate cancer compared with men who never consumed this food.

LOMA LINDA, Calif., June 30, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Canned and cooked tomatoes may reduce the risk of prostate cancer according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Loma Linda University Health.

Tomato Consumption and Intake of Lycopene as Predictors of the Incidence of Prostate Cancer: The Adventist Health Study-2, published in Cancer Causes and Control on Feb. 25, found that men who consumed canned and cooked tomatoes 5 to 6 times per week had a 28% decreased risk of prostate cancer compared with men who never consumed this food.

First author of the paper, Gary Fraser, MBChB, PhD, said the effect was still significant even after adjusting for a number of potential confounders, including ethnicity, education, obesity, exercise levels, alcohol consumption and others.

"Interestingly, the decreased risk was only seen in those men who ate canned and cooked tomatoes," Fraser said.

To examine how tomato consumption might impact the development of prostate cancer, the researchers looked for significant relationships between diet and prostate cancer in nearly 28,000 Adventist men in the U.S.

All Adventist Health Study participants agree to fill out self-administered food frequency questionnaires reporting their average number of times per week they ate of approximately 200 foods and beverages and serving sizes. After tracking the study's male participants — all of whom were cancer-free when they enrolled in the project — for nearly eight years, 1,226 of them had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, 355 of those as aggressive cases.

While all tomatoes and tomato-based products contain lycopene, other studies have shown that lycopene is absorbed at different rates depending on the product consumed. Lycopene bioavailability is higher when tomatoes have been heated or cooked, and especially if cooked with oil. Processing tomatoes in this way contributes to the separation of the lycopene from the carrier proteins.

This research suggests that it is particularly cooked tomatoes that may play a significant role in reducing a man's risk for developing prostate cancer. It may be their lycopene content that is the active principle.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide. In the United States alone, there were an estimated 165,000 new cases of prostate cancer and nearly 30,000 deaths just in 2018. Since 1989, a research team at Loma Linda University Health has examined a number of dietary practices to see which offer promise in preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Earlier research in the Adventist Health Study and several other projects internationally suggest high lycopene intake is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer. Tomato and tomato-based products are of particular interest since they are major sources of the carotenoid lycopene.

Fraser, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Loma Linda University, said researchers will continue to look at various tomato products and their potential to reduce prostate cancer risk. "Still," he added, "men concerned about developing prostate cancer could consider adding cooked and canned tomatoes to their diet on a regular basis."

 

SOURCE Loma Linda University Health

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June 30, 2020 at 06:05PM
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Canned, cooked tomatoes can reduce the risk of prostate cancer according to Loma Linda University Health study - Yahoo Finance

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Tomato

My Second Favorite Grape-based Alcoholic Beverage - The Examiner News

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I’ve been penning this column for over 12 years and I’ve enjoyed presenting readers with diverse wine topics. While rambling through my archived columns during this pandemic, I came across a column I thought might be enjoyable to my readers. Here is an updated version.

What is my go-to beverage when wine is not appropriate for a particular situation? What do I enjoy as an occasional cocktail before a meal or at a social function?

Premium vodka.

But I have not been able to find a suitable tie-in between vodka and wine – until now. I have discovered a new vodka – one produced from grapes. Appropriately named Hanson of Sonoma Organic Vodka, it is distilled from a blend of organic grapes.

Employing literary license, allow me to expound on the shared characteristics and nuances of vodka and wine.  

  1. The ingredients. Of the 400 brands of vodka available in the United States, all but a handful are produced from wheat, rye, potato or corn. Each vodka is influenced by geography, soil and local weather – the same “terroir” concept applied to wine. The other primary ingredient, water, is used for achieving the desired level of alcohol.
  2. The process. Vodka ingredients are fermented, filtered and sometimes blended, similar to the winemaking process. The major departure is the distillation process (heating and condensing the fermented ingredients), in which flavors are refined. Filtering is applied in wine production to remove impurities. With vodka, multiple steps of filtering (as many as 10) are employed using charcoal and for certain brands, diamonds.
  3. The end result. Depending on the finer elements of the above two factors, an individual vodka will be distinct from its brethren. My criteria for evaluating a brand have always been a pleasant, herbaceous aroma, a nutty flavor and a smooth finish. I’ve tasted many vodkas – many harsh, medicinal and non-descript – before settling on my two current favorites: Crop Organic (produced in the United States) and Grey Goose.

With my discovery of grape-based vodkas, my focus is changing. A significant factor to consider is that, unlike the grain-based vodkas that dominate the market, these are gluten-free; for the first time, my gluten-intolerant friend Rick can join me in clinking martini glasses. Here are four that I’ve found in my research, with notes culled from various sources.

  1. a) Cîroc, produced from Mauzac (Gaillac region) and Ugni Blanc (Cognac region) grapes grown in France. A slightly grapey flavor, smooth with a mild aftertaste.
  2. b) Idôl, produced from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Burgundy region. A slightly fruity aroma, silky smooth and an aftertaste that is more like tannins than alcohol.
  3. c) Roth, produced from a blend of six grapes grown in California, including French Colombard and Chardonnay. Faintly sweet bouquet (even though distilled five times), highly aromatic, velvety smooth, delicate finish.
  4. d) Hanson of Sonoma, produced from a blend of organic, non-GMO grapes grown in Sonoma County. Founded and operated by an eponymous family of six, it is distilled seven times in a hybrid pot and column still. Hanson also offers additional offerings infused with organic Meyer lemon, cucumber, ginger, mandarin orange or habanero.
  5. The final step. Consumption. Here’s my interpretation of the perfect vodka martini:
  • Sipped from a martini glass.
  • Straight up – no rocks to dilute the flavor.
  • Extra dry – just a whiff of white vermouth to enhance the aromatics.
  • Old is the key: a vodka martini that is not ice cold risks tasting like lighter fluid.
  • The martini glass must come straight from the freezer, next to the bottle of vodka.
  • Must be shaken, not stirred; when shaken, a perfectly prepared martini has tiny slivers of ice coating the surface area.
  • Add three olives; any garnish other than olives (onions or lemon twists) are for gin.

Ah, it’s my 15th week of sheltering in place. I need an appropriate drink. Excuse me while I head for the freezer.

Nick Antonaccio is a 40-year Pleasantville resident. For over 25 years, he has conducted wine tastings and lectures. Nick is the co-chairperson of the Wine Media Guild of wine journalists. He also offers personalized wine tastings and wine travel services. Nick’s credo: continuous experimenting results in instinctive behavior. You can reach him at nantonaccio@theexaminernews.com or on Twitter @sharingwine.

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June 30, 2020 at 06:37PM
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My Second Favorite Grape-based Alcoholic Beverage - The Examiner News

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Grape

Urban Grape launches wine education award for students of color - The Boston Globe

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Hadley (left) and TJ Douglas, the owners of the Urban Grape wine store on Columbus Avenue in the South End.
Hadley (left) and TJ Douglas, the owners of the Urban Grape wine store on Columbus Avenue in the South End.Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Last week, TJ and Hadley Douglas, owners of South End wine shop Urban Grape, announced the launch of a groundbreaking award that will provide education, work, and mentorship opportunities for students of color interested in pursuing careers in the wine industry.

The Urban Grape Wine Studies Award for Students of Color, commemorating the 10th anniversary of their business, establishes an endowment fund at Boston University’s Metropolitan College. That fund will enable selected recipients — at least one every year — to pursue all four levels of BU’s Certificate Program in Wine Studies, housed in the Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center, taught by two masters of wine. Concurrent with coursework, awardees will undertake three paid internships: one in retail at the Urban Grape; another in the wholesale sector with MS Walker, a major wine and spirits distributor in Norwood; and a third at Big Heart Hospitality, the Boston restaurant group of Tiffani Faison. The deadline to apply for the award is Aug. 15, 2020. The first award recipient will begin coursework and internships beginning in September 2020.

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TJ Douglas, a 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry, knows firsthand how BU’s wine curriculum, combined with experience in retail, distribution, and restaurant sectors, can provide a springboard to success. “The idea is to have someone go through all four levels of coursework, plus all three internships, and come out with a great network,” he says. “That person will be a rock star in wine and hospitality who can choose where they want to go.”

For years, the Douglases talked about launching such an initiative, seeking to address the fact that people of color are underrepresented across the wine industry. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, plans had to be put on hold. Then, in the early morning hours of June 1, the shop was vandalized in the chaos that followed peaceful protests decrying the death of George Floyd. Customers and industry professionals rallied to their side, asking how they could help, and ultimately driving up sales. Soon after, the couple started an endowed fund with a $10,000 contribution. “It has been our customers’ support for us as a Black-owned business and for Black-owned brands that allowed us to fund this ourselves,” says Hadley Douglas.

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Tax-deductible donations can be made to expand the program’s reach, first in Boston, then nationwide. Details are at theurbangrape.com/wine-studies-award.

Ellen Bhang can be reached at bytheglass@globe.com


Ellen Bhang can be reached at bytheglass@globe.com

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June 30, 2020 at 11:04PM
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Urban Grape launches wine education award for students of color - The Boston Globe

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Grape growers turn a corner - The Bakersfield Californian

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Things are looking up for Kern County's top crop.

After a difficult two years for California table grape growers, conditions seem to be aligning nicely just in time for the start of the Central Valley harvest.

People in the business say prices and quality are looking strong and the crop is ripening in an orderly fashion. Plus, there's no sign of an oversupply.

What's more, the industry is about to launch a marketing campaign it hopes will persuade shoppers to take special note of where their grapes are grown, the idea being that there's a local economic benefit to buying products produced in California.

"I think we have, you know, some good prospects for this year,” said Jon P. Zaninovich, president of Delano-based Jasmine Vineyards.

A NEW LEAF

If the 2020 season pans out well, it'll come as a relief for growers of a crop that in 2018 produced farmer revenues of more than $1.5 billion in Kern, more than any other agricultural commodity in the county that year.

Two years ago there was a glut that kept prices low — good for consumers, bad for farmers. California turned out above-average volume of about 116 million 19-pound boxes of table grapes.

Last year there were fewer grapes, about 106 million boxes, but something else happened that spoiled what might have been a decent year. On top of international tariffs that have depressed prices, a quirk in crop maturity patterns put a lot of grapes on the market at roughly the same time, which had the effect of lowering prices.

FRESH OPTIMISM

That doesn't seem to be the case this year, said Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission.

First of all, the size of California's crop this year looks to be about the same as last year, she said, while grapes from Mexico are in shorter supply than years past. That's good for domestic farmers.

Another positive sign for Central Valley table grape growers, Nave said, is grapes aren't ripening all at the same time. Instead, the crop is maturing in the traditional pattern, gradually from south to north, which gives growers in different regions equal opportunity to market their fruit.

The upshot is that prices paid to farmers are relatively strong. Nave said that, as of last week, farmers in California's Coachella Valley were getting 18 percent more money per pound than they got at the same time last year.

Zaninovich pointed to another positive sign: "Quality of the crop looks excellent," he said.

NEW MARKETING

Forethought is also working in the industry's favor.

An advertising campaign about to hit television channels asks consumers to be more conscious of where their grapes come from, and even ask their grocers where the fruit is grown.

It's an approach unlike any the industry has taken before, Nave said, and it's come at a time when traditional promotions such as free samples are no longer viable because of the pandemic.

She said part of the idea was to emphasize to shoppers that, at a time when the economy has slowed, buying California products helps support local workers and generates sales taxes that help pay the salaries of teachers and other public servants.

The campaign is being carried out in cooperation with California Grown, an organization funded by a number of different commodity groups.

The organization's executive director, Chris Zanobini, made the point that California also has the nation's toughest production regulations and its highest-paid farmworkers. He said information like that will cause people to think more responsibly about their purchasing decisions.

"I think people, particularly in the current environment, are looking for ways to feel better about what they’re doing and what’s going on around them,” he said.

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June 29, 2020 at 05:28AM
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Grape growers turn a corner - The Bakersfield Californian

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Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival canceled this year - KBTX

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BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - The Downtown Bryan Association said it was cancelling the 2020 Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival.

The event was scheduled for Sept. 25-27. In an email Tuesday, the group said the decision to cancel was made to “protect the safety of our staff, volunteers, vendors, sponsors and attendees and in light of the public health concerns and financial strains brought upon by COVID-19.”

“It was a difficult decision to make. Texas Reds is a special event for Downtown Bryan and our entire BCS community. Locals and tourists alike look forward to attending the festival every year.” said Katelyn Brown, Festival Director. “We look forward to bringing back a bigger and better festival in 2021.”

The event started in 2007 and was taken over by the Downtown Bryan Association in 2014.

Copyright 2020 KBTX. All rights reserved.

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June 30, 2020 at 08:06PM
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Texas Reds Steak and Grape Festival canceled this year - KBTX

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Several central Iowa stands will have sweet corn for the Fourth of July weekend. Here's where to look. - Des Moines Register

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On Friday the Iowa State Fair gave away 1,200 ears of corn during its annual sweet corn feed outside the Agriculture Building.

Central Iowa skies might be a little quieter, a little darker this July 4, with fewer public fireworks shows, concerts and large family gatherings.

There is good news, though.

There is sweet corn. 

A few central Iowa farmers will have sweet corn ready to sell at roadside stands by the end of this week. Here's where you'll find it:

Deardorff Sweet Corn: Adel, Ankeny, Johnston and West Des Moines

Matt Deardorff of Deardorff Sweet Corn said his family's farm decided Monday that the Corn Shack in Adel on the east side of Highway 169, just south of the bike trail, will have sweet corn Thursday.

The farm will also get sweet corn to street vendors in Ankeny, Johnston and West Des Moines by the end of the week. Grocery stores that the farm supplies in metro Des Moines, including several Hy-Vees and a few Fareways, should get sweet corn just after the holiday weekend.

Grimes Sweet Corn: Des Moines metro

Michelle Christenson, who owns Grimes Sweet Corn with her husband, Ray, said most of their farm's stands will have sweet corn by the end of this week. She said when Christenson Farms is able to have sweet corn by July 4, which is also about 50% of the time, "it's the best."

"The Fourth is the holy grail," she said. 

Grimes Sweet Corn stands will have signs encouraging social distancing in lines and will have hand sanitizer available. Christenson Farms has more than a dozen Grimes Sweet Corn stands throughout the metro area. A full list of stand locations can be found at grimessweetcorn.com. 

Penick Sweet Corn: Near Carlisle

Mike Penick, owner of Penick Sweet Corn, said he won't be ready to sell sweet corn by the Fourth, but it won't be long after, either. He estimates his stand on Highway 65/69 will have sweet corn to sell by July 12. The stand will be a drive-through operation because of the pandemic. 

"We're going to be a little short on the early corn, it looks like," he said.

Penick also typically sells his corn at the Des Moines Farmers Market, which is selling products only through an online marketplace. Customers can order the corn through dsmpartnership.com in the next few weeks.

Is sweet corn usually ready by the Fourth?

The Fourth of July is one of the biggest-selling weekends, along with Labor Day, Deardorff said. He doesn't expect sales to be lower this year, even with the coronavirus pandemic.

"That’s really big for our business to be able to have it by Fourth of July," he said. "That helps tremendously with sales and it gives people something to look forward to."

Sweet corn season is the unofficial sign that summer has begun, Deardorff said. The farm tries to have sweet corn each year by July 4, but it isn't promised. Last year, he and several other vendors were unable to sell sweet corn until the following week.

Penick Sweet Corn has had sweet corn in time for the Fourth about half the time, Penick said. The crop's success and timeliness depend on the weather, and this year's harvest was held back by cold weather in the middle of spring, he said.

Christenson credits early planting, around the first week of April, for her sweet corn crop being ready for the Fourth. She was among those farmers who worried that the cold weather in May would prevent the holiday arrival of sweet corn, but she said the crop survived. 

Despite the pandemic, Christenson expects people will still visit the stands to get sweet corn for outdoor gatherings such as barbecues and picnics.

"(Sweet corn) is the rite of passage in Iowa," she said. "It's a tradition people look forward to."

Sarah LeBlanc covers trending news for the Register. Reach her at 515-284-8161 or sleblanc@registermedia.com.

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June 30, 2020 at 10:49PM
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Several central Iowa stands will have sweet corn for the Fourth of July weekend. Here's where to look. - Des Moines Register

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Corn

More 2020 U.S. soybean and a lot less corn acres, USDA estimates - Successful Farming

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The U.S. farmers planted a lot less corn acres and a slightly higher amount of soybeans, this year, according to the USDA.

On Tuesday, the USDA released its June Acreage and Quarterly Grain Stocks Reports.

Today, the USDA estimated total corn and soybean acreage at 176 million vs. its March estimate of 180.5 million. So, the question that investors are asking this morning is, where did the acres go? 

As a result, the CME Group’s farm markets moved up 16¢, following the reports. Though corn and soybean prices traded  up 20¢ and 22¢, respectively, today, they finished off of their highs.

At the close, the Sept. corn futures finished 12 1/2¢ higher at $3.41 3/4. Dec. corn futures ended 15 3/4¢ higher at $3.50 1/2.
 
Aug. soybean futures closed 17 1/4¢ higher at $8.78 3/4. November soybean futures ended 20 3/4¢ higher at $8.82 1/4.

Sep. wheat futures closed 5 3/4¢ higher at $4.91 1/2. 

Aug. soymeal futures finished $5.50 per short ton higher at $289.10. Aug. soy oil futures closed $0.36 higher at 28.14¢ per pound.

In the outside markets, the NYMEX crude oil market is $0.46 per barrel lower at $39.24. The U.S. dollar is higher, and the Dow Jones Industrials are 26 points higher.

Quarterly Grain Stocks

In its report, USDA pegged the June 1 corn stocks at 5.22 billion bushels vs. the trade’s expectations of 4.95 billion bushels and last year’s 5.2 billion.

For soybeans, June 1 stocks are estimated at 1.39 billion bushels vs. the trade’s estimate of 1.39 billion and last year’s 1.78 billion.

USDA pegged the June 1 wheat stocks at 1.04 billion bushels vs. the trade’s expectation of 987 million bushels and last year’s 1.08 billion.

Acreage Report

On Tuesday, the USDA pegged the U.S. corn plantings at 92.006 million vs. the trade’s expectation of 95.14 million and the USDA’s March estimate of 96.99 million.

For soybeans, the USDA sees U.S. acreage at  83.82 million vs. the trade’s expectation of 84.83 million and the USDA’s March estimate of 83.51 million.

All wheat acreage is pegged at 44.2 million vs. the trade’s expectation of 44.72 million and the USDA’s March estimate of 44.66 million.

Trade Response

Sal Gilbertie, Teucrium Trading, says that today’s USDA report could cement a bullish slant for the corn market.

“The news is the corn planted acreage number, which, assuming trend line yield, trims the corn balance sheet by almost .5 billion bushels. Corn is king, and there were near record shorts on the futures side, which means today’s price rally in corn could support the whole grain complex for a while,” Gilbertie says.

Jack Scoville, PRICE Futures Group, says that today’s stocks estimates are a little negative, with the corn number above trade expectations. But the planted area estimates were very bullish and are taking the attention of the trade. 

“Corn planted area at just 92.0 million acres was below all trade estimates by a wide margin and a reason to rally and rally hard. Beans planted area was up slightly from March, but not nearly what the trade had expected. So, the plantings report was very bullish everywhere and makes weather that much more important, since we have less planted area to deal with. We will soon return to the negative demand news and the weather as guides for the way forward, but the lower acreage is the surprise and is getting all the attention right now,” Scoville says. 

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June 30, 2020 at 11:10PM
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In short supply — Spring cold snap delays sweet corn | News, Sports, Jobs - Altoona Mirror

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Sweet corn lovers again will have to wait to enjoy their summer treat from local growers.

Sweet corn is a big business and is included in the overall figure for vegetable production, which is $1.2 million for Blair County and $187 million statewide, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Also according to that census, there were 15 farms in Blair County that grow sweet corn and 1,672 statewide.

“The cold snap in May killed some early sweet corn or at least severely damaged it despite being started under plastic. There may be a little corn around by July 4, but most growers will not start to see a regular supply until July 12,” said Thomas G. Ford, commercial horticulture educator, Penn State Extension, Cambria County office.

Others expect the crop to be even later.

“From what I’ve seen in the valley, corn under plastic, which the Amish do, will be a little late. There will be none around July 4. My corn will probably be after the 25th. It is four to five weeks out due to the cold in April and May. There will be a shortage out front. It will not be in abundance,” said Gary Long, who plants 8 acres of sweet corn in Sinking Valley. “It will be a good corn crop, but we need to be patient. We are now getting the heat and water, and it is growing fast.”

Kelly Baronner, co-owner of Baronner’s Farm Market, Hollidaysburg, doesn’t expect their corn to be ready until late July.

“It is all up to Mother Nature. It will be later than last year due to the nasty weather. The crop looks very healthy with an excellent stand of corn this year. When it is ready, it will be on our answering machine,” said Baronner, who said her son, Robert Baronner II, is taking over the operation this year with mentoring from her and husband, Robert.

Sam Weyant, owner of Sam Weyant Berry and Vegetable Farms, Claysburg, doesn’t expect corn until August.

“We are a month behind. I put some in April 12, then it got cold and snowed. I don’t believe I will have any corn until the first week of August. My first corn didn’t have a chance, but the rest looks good. Now we are bone dry in Claysburg. If not for irrigation, we would have nothing,” Weyant said.

This year’s crop should be good, said Liam Migdail, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau spokesman.

“The good news is that since the weather has warmed up, growing conditions have been favorable so area farmers are expecting a high-quality and bountiful crop this season,” Migdail said.

Meanwhile, other crops have been affected by the weather.

Ford said some growers lost their early tomato plantings in mid-May.

“Two growers told me they lost 1,200 plus tomato plants in the field due to frost,” Ford said.” Essentially all warm season crops are behind schedule due to the freeze in March.”

Ford said the strawberry crop was hammered by the May freeze events.

“Most growers lost their primary flowers and had to rely on secondary and tertiary flowers to prevail. We won’t know what the final harvest numbers will be, but our local growers estimated that they lost between 30 and 50 percent of their crop due to the May freeze,” Ford said.

Ford also said peaches, plums, nectarines and cherries may be in short supply locally, and one large grower indicated that they may not have a single red delicious apple harvested from their farm this year.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.

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Sunday, June 28, 2020

Brighten summertime dishes with fresh grapes



(BPT) - Warmer weather is finally here, and that means more daylight for activities of all types and ideally more time for relaxation. Whether family members choose to spend their time playing outside, tackling home projects or getting creative with crafts, it’s easy to work up an appetite for tasty summertime food. Crisp, juicy grapes serve as an easy snack — whether fresh or frozen — and a special ingredient in simple but creative new dishes.

Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Grape Sauce uses fragrant lemongrass, a tropical herb with a lemony flavor and aroma, three ways: in the chicken marinade, in the grape sauce and as the skewers for the chicken. Grapes add a sweet and juicy crunch to the sweet-and-sour topping.

Guacamole with Grapes delivers a refreshing new dimension with fresh grapes providing a delightful color and texture contrast to the avocado base and imparting sweet notes that complement the zesty seasonings. Enjoy as a snack or serve as a festive appetizer.

Make sure that grapes from California are on the grocery list as a fresh staple from May through January; simply look for “California” or “USA” on the label. Stored unwashed, they can keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. A quick rinse before using and then — enjoy!

Lemongrass Grilled Chicken Skewers with Grape Sauce

Prep time: 20 minutes plus marinating time

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

Marinade/Sauce

1/4 cup lime juice

3 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced

2 tablespoons finely minced lemongrass bulb

Pinch red pepper flakes

4 stalks lemongrass

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup quartered California grapes

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

Make the marinade and sauce: Combine the lime juice, fish sauce, sugar and garlic in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a simmer and add the lemongrass and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds and transfer to a bowl set in a bowl of ice water. Chill until room temperature, stirring frequently.

Peel the dark green leaves off each lemongrass stalk and cut each crosswise into 6-inch long pieces for 8 skewers. With the tip of a paring knife, poke a small hole in each piece.

Using the lemongrass as a skewer, insert lemongrass into each piece of chicken, putting 2 to 3 pieces on each stalk; place in a 9 X 13-inch dish. Pour half the marinade over the chicken, turn to coat and refrigerate 2 hours. Cover and set aside remaining marinade for the grape sauce.

Heat grill to high and oil the grates. Drain the skewers and brush with the oil. Grill the chicken 2-4 minutes on each side.

Stir the grapes into the reserved marinade and serve with the chicken skewers, sprinkled with the cilantro.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 250 Calories; Protein 35 g; Carbohydrate 10 g; Fat 7 g (25% Calories from Fat); Saturated Fat 1.5 g (5% Calories from Saturated Fat); Cholesterol 95 mg; Sodium 750 mg; Fiber 0 g.

Guacamole with Grapes

Prep time: 15 minutes

Yield: Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

3 medium avocados, peeled and pitted

1 large lime, juiced

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 small Fresno chile, seeded and minced

1 small clove garlic, grated or minced

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt


Directions

Mash the avocado flesh with a fork in a large bowl with the lime juice. Stir in onion, cilantro, chile, garlic and salt. Fold in grapes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Nutritional analysis per serving: 180 Calories; Protein 2 g; Carbohydrate 14 g; Fat 15 g (75% Calories from Fat); Saturated Fat 2 g (10% Calories from Saturated Fat); Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 105 mg; Fiber 7 g.

Candy corn and costumes



Halloween is fun for kids. It’s fun because of candy, of course, and also because of the thrill of dressing in a costume.

For many kids the candy really is the star. Until I was about 10, I loved candy corn better than anything. My Grandma Davis always kept candy corn in a dish if she knew I was coming because she knew I would be looking for it.

Those were the two times I ate candy corn — Halloween and whenever I visited my Grandma’s house.

My parents were terribly severe about candy but they definitely were resolute about not eating it very often. It was OK at Halloween and a few other special occasions, but it was a treat — not something to have every day or even every week.

By the time I was a teenager I had lost my taste for candy corn and my favorites were Hershey bars, Mounds and Almond Joy.

As an adult I have very nearly sworn off candy entirely. I still like almonds and coconut, just not in chocolate bars.

A good Hershey bar, though, is still a nice treat. Maybe once a year or so now I enjoy the chocolate bliss of the Pennsylvania-based classic.

Although Jane and I don’t always entertain trick-or-treaters at home, we do it every few years. It’s always fun to see the excitement on kids’ faces when they get some candy.

This year we’re hosting trick-or-treaters at the Chowan Herald office. We’ll be here this evening as part of the downtown trick-or-treat event sponsored by Destination Downtown Edenton.

I’m looking forward to it. As late as Wednesday morning, as I was writing this column, I still hadn’t firmly settled on a costume idea.

I have been leaning toward a ‘river swimmer’ costume, since I enjoy swimming in the Pasquotank and other coastal rivers. I have swim trunks, t-shirt, goggles and swim cap I can wear, but I’m not sure what to wear that might be emblematic of the river.

I briefly considered hanging a fake snake around my neck, since people are always kidding me about snakes in the river (and they’re there, to be sure) — but that would probably be way too scary for the younger children.

In fact, a faux snake could frighten off even a good number of otherwise stouthearted adults.

Come to think of it, costumes, too, were fun as a child.

I went trick-or-treating a couple of times as a cowboy and went at least once as a pioneer in a ‘Daniel Boone’ vein, complete with coonskin cap and fringe vest.

The costumes also added to the fun this past weekend as the Elizabeth II wooden sailing vessel from Roanoke Island Festival Park spent a couple of days in Edenton. The sailors were dressed in costumes as old-time sailors, and their costumes complemented their well-studied accents.

Kids (of all ages, as the saying goes) really enjoyed the sailors and the ship.

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