The answer is that we’ll never really know. The event that Americans commonly call the “first Thanksgiving” was a feast attended by Native American Wampanoag people and survivors of the Mayflower (Pilgrims) in October 1621. Cranberries were a known fruit to the Wampanoag tribe—who used it as a dye, medicine and food. If cranberries were eaten, it was probably as a dish called pemmican–crushed cranberries and dried meat (yum!) Sugar was not widely available at the time so cranberry sauce, as we know it, was most likely not a part of the feast. The pemmican dish evolved over time and cranberries eventually became a popular ingredient in settlers’ diets.
As we near the end of the year, cranberries are once again getting the spotlight. From baked goods to refreshing mocktails and classic sauces, they have a spot at nearly every table this holiday season. But did you know they are extremely nutritious? Cranberries have high levels of polyphenols and phytonutrients which give the skin of the berries their intense red color. These compounds provide antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory benefits. So yes—it is a good idea to double your recipe!
Fun Fact: Cranberries have pockets of air inside. Because of this, cranberries float in water. Cranberry bogs can be flooded to help in removal of fruit from the vines during harvesting.
Apple: From heirloom to familiar favorites, we have a variety of apples this season for all your apple needs. Here are some new varieties we love:
- Jazz: Crisp apple with strong sweet-tart flavor and pear undertones. Always refreshing!
- Kanzi (right): Hybrid of Gala and Braeburn. The name is South African for “hidden treasure.” Extreme juice and crunch with a flavor punch. One of Europe’s favorite apples!
- Smitten: Perfectly sweet with hints of tartness and complex aromatics. Refreshingly crunchy. One bite and you’ll be smitten!
Chestnut (below): No open fire? No problem! Fresh chestnuts are equally delicious roasted in the oven, steamed or boiled! The sweet, nutty, buttery flavor of cooked
chestnuts takes any dish to the next level! Readily available in a variety of sizes: Large, Jumbo, Colossal and Super Colossal from Heath Ranch, a small farm VV exclusive. Ask your Account Manager about multi-case pricing deals!
Tip: Make an ‘X’ on the flat side of the chestnut to relieve pressure while cooking and make it easier to peel.
Dried Floral Wreath: Available for pre-order from Full Belly Farm in limited quantities. Every wreath is unique! These make wonderful and sustainable holiday gifts that can be preserved for years to come! Talk to your Account Manager about availability!
Root: The roots go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah! Burdock, Purple-Top Turnip and Daikon are back in good supply. White Tokyo Turnips have started!
Specialty Squash: Don’t be afraid to offer your customers something unexpected for their hard squash needs. We have exciting varieties like beautiful pink-skinned Galeux d’Eysines (right), delicious Marina di Chioggia, and unique-looking Speckled Hound Ask your Account Manager for recommendations to spruce up your specialty squash display. Learn more about hard squash using our Winter Squash Variety Guide.
Walnut: In-shell Hartley walnuts are available from Ferrari Farms. This is a colossal light-colored nut, that is fun to crack, and flavorful right from the shell. Time to get those nut crackers ready!
Brussels Sprouts (right): Readily available with great quality. Roasted, steamed, or chopped finely for a winter slaw, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this cruciferous
powerhouse.
Cauliflower: Production is in a surge and we’re seeing lots out there.
Cranberry: Readily available in 8-ounce and 12-ounce retail bags at promotable prices!
Garnet #1 Sweet Potato: It’s the sweet potato’s time to shine this month! Supply is strong with sharp pricing through the holidays.
Green Bean: Steady supply from VV exclusive grower, Rundle Family Farms.
Lemon: Nothing to be sour about here! Great deals on 140 count Mexican-grown and domestic fruit.
Persimmon (left): 1-Layer and Volume-fill Fuyu are bountiful. Fuyus can be eaten at varying levels of ripeness, and their crisp quality makes them ideal for eating fresh, and using in cheese boards, charcuterie, and salads (wonderful alternative to tomatoes!) Talk to your Account Manager if you’re interested in bins!
Potato: Amazing deals on Russet and Yellow ‘A’ potatoes. Which makes a better mashed potato? Either option works but Russets have a higher starch content resulting in a fluffier mash while yellow potatoes have naturally buttery flavor and absorb less water (less mushiness.)
Did you know? The Yukon Gold potato, though yellow fleshed, is a cross between a yellow and a white potato and is usually labeled as such. A “yellow” or “gold” potato is not a Yukon Gold potato, but all three potatoes have similar starch contents and flavors and can be used interchangeably in recipes
Winter Squash: Acorn, Butternut, Delicata, Kabocha and Spaghetti are all in good supply.
Yellow Onion: We’re seeing steady volume on yellow medium onions. Shoppers are stocking up in preparation for holiday cooking–be prepared!
Are You Ready for Thanksgiving?
For many retailers, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest and highest revenue producing times of the year. Here are some essential holiday planning tips that you can use for Thanksgiving and other holidays this year.
Early Promotions: Don’t wait to promote! Shoppers are planning early to avoid peak shopping days. Try dropping prices as soon as you can to entice shoppers. Communicate your promotions to customers through your marketing channels available to you such as: mailed flyers, dedicated email newsletters, and social media. Make it easy for customers to find this information. Provide menu ideas using your promotional items for added convenience.
Pre-Packaged Products: Demand for items that haven’t been overly handled by the public has continued long after the pandemic. Customers will be looking for pre-packaged and pre-bagged products. Consider packing products in-house if you have staffing available. Offer pre-cut packaged items of holiday staples like celery, butternut squash, and yellow onions.
Holiday Displays: Keep your displays creative and full of essential items! Order your pallets and half-pallets of key products ahead of time. Place larger orders with your Account Manager at least 2-3 weeks in advance to assure you will be well-stocked through the holidays. Key items to keep plentiful include: sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, hard squash, mushrooms, apples, cranberries, onions, green beans, Brussels sprouts, celery, carrots, persimmons, and herbs. Don’t wait until the last minute to secure what you need!
Pre-Made Holiday Meals and Sides: If you have a kitchen in-store, consider offering pre-orders for pre-made holiday meals or prepared sides in grab-and-go cases. Many customers will appreciate the convenience of these offerings.
Holiday Crowd Control: Consider the number of occupants in your store for your staff and customers to move around freely. Expect an uptick in customers during the holiday week and be prepared to manage the crowd or queue a line, even if this is not something you need to worry about on a regular basis.
Signage: When customers are trying to get in and out of stores as efficiently as possible, bright, eye-catching signage is a great way to get their attention and improve their experience. Highlight a farm or label, post product information, provide storage recommendations, or share recipes. addition to creating beautiful displays, signage is a great way to keep shoppers informed about operational changes during the holidays (extended hours, pre-order pick-up areas, etc.) and pandemic related safety protocols.
Storage: Assess your storage needs during the holidays. Will you need more dry space? More cold storage? Some retailers source a temporary refrigerated unit that will be placed outside to store turkeys and holiday overflow. Bonus: Customers will be able to pick up pre-orders outside, reducing the traffic inside the store.
Future Orders: The week following Thanksgiving tends to be quieter as customers recover from holiday festivities. Review your future produce orders with your Account Manager to forecast what you may need. Tip: Bananas are typically not high on shopping lists post-holiday and pre-orders may need to be reduced.
