Latest news
26.03.2011
Product Info: Micro Peashoots
There has been a crop failure with the latest WOW Micro Peashoot crop. We have been assured stock will become available next week, they are very popular and feature heavily on lots of new spring menus so we apoligise for this unexpected inconvenience.
07.12.2010
Product Info: The Big Freeze
As the cold weather continues it is becoming ever more likely that main vegetable lines will be in short supply over the Christmas period, the biggest problem so far is cauliflower, unlike cabbage, sprouts and swede the cauliflower does not defrost in good condition. With temperatures at -5 and -7 in the large growing areas of Lincolnshire and Kent and the French Market down to 16% of normal production prices have soured in the markets to as much as £14-£15 for a box of 6. Added to this the mild lead into the Winter has meant many hybrid varities that were planted for the Christmas market have already been harvested, sold and eaten.
On a more postitive note we have superb quality Brazilian Grapes, South African stonefruit due very soon and some excellent large Portuguese Chestnuts due in tomorrow.
07.10.2010
Cornish Rock Samphire is available
This is available with 24-48 hours notice and will be picked fresh to order, packed in 100gm bags
10.08.2010
Commodity prices soar as spectre of food inflation is back…
The spectre of food inflation is back report The Guardian on Saturday the 7th of August. Two years ago the world was gripped by the prospect of supplies running low, thanks to a combination of rocketing demand from emerging countries and tightening supply as farmers turned wheat fields over to biofuels.Wheat prices, which are up 40% over the last month, reached a two-year high as concerns about a drought in Russia and rotting stocks of grain in India exercised markets in London and Chicago. Claims that a major crop failure in Australia, following an invasion of locusts and a wet summer in Canada, could lead to a worldwide shortage, have pushed up prices in recent weeks to levels not seen since 2008.
The rise in futures contract prices traded on the major markets also follows a United Nations report in June that warned food prices could rise as much as 40% over the coming decade, amid growing demand from emerging markets and for biofuel production. Strong growth in China, India and the rest of Asia, coupled with a stable outlook for Europe, has encouraged demand for commodities.
Other categories experiencing rapid price inflation are Milk and Dairy; with Bacon up 65% in the last 12 months due to meat products price relationship with grain feed pricing, and Butter up 30% in the last 12 months. Coffee has gone up 10% in one month as global reserves decline following poor harvests, Sugar has gone up 9% in the last month and Cocoa has increased by 150% in the last two and a half years, again due to declining stocks and the impact of disease.Menu planning and pricing will need to reflect these pressures, as inflation and market prices inevitably filter their way down the supply chain.
19.06.2010
Product Info: Chipping potato
Much of the old season potato is now being cleared, leaving only the very big sources available. Chipping potatoes will, over the next 2 to 3 weeks be more expensive and more difficult to source. We are expecting new season ( eg.Maris Peer) to be at a reasonable size and suitable sugar content level in less than a month.
For the next couple of weeks we will have a limited amount of English Markies and Cyprus Spunta available, both very good varieties for chipping/wedges.
19.06.2010
Product Info: Cornish lettuce
We are currently experiencing an influx of Cornish iceberg, lollo and oakleaf lettuce. It has had a very productive growing spell and with the majority of eateries prefering baby leaf, sales of whole lettuce is slower than in previous years. This will create some very good value lettuce on the market, having said we still encourage the use of Lizard Leaves field grown baby leaf as the quality and taste is far superior to any other salad we have sourced.
19.06.2010
Product Info: Peeled Garlic
We are at that time of year where we have to take a break from pre peeled garlic, it will be a couple of weeks until new crop is usable.
14.05.2010
BRC Grade A pass for Food Safety...
We are delighted to have passed our annual food safety audit with the highest level Grade A award. This ongoing investment in quality ensures our customers have certification and traceability for all the fresh produce, dry goods and dairy products we store and deliver. The importance of implementing these systems and using suppliers with accreditation continues to be promoted by the FSA. The new Scores on the Doors rating systems for food businesses will give the public and critically customers the ability to view and measure businesses on their food safety systems and the suppliers they use. Please contact the office if you would like a copy of the certificate.
