FreshPoint

Fresh Things Video: What are the best vegetables to grill?

Hi, I’m Chef Dan with FreshPoint, and with summer barbecuing season upon us I really love grilling vegetables. I’m going to go over a few suggestions of what I consider the best vegetables to grill. So what are the best vegetables to grill? I prefer the softer ones such as squashes, zucchini, and mushrooms—even asparagus...

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Fresh Things Video: Have you ever wanted to know, what is a Pluot?

Have you ever wanted to know what is a Pluot? Hi, I’m Chef Dan with FreshPoint, and plum season is underway.  Not only do we have plums, but we have pluots. So plums versus pluots… what is a pluot? Well the plum is a plum. Colors can range anywhere from red to purple to green...

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Fresh Things Video: Peaches or nectarines?

Hi I’m Chef Dan from FreshPoint, and stone fruit season this upon us. Peaches or nectarines? Nectarine season is under full swing; we’ve got some of the best growers available sending us fruit on a weekly basis. So in the eternal summer battle of stone fruit, peaches vs. nectarines, who comes out ahead? Well, there’s really...

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Chef Story: Chef John Gardner of Table 26

We talk to chefs for their orders, or see them in the mornings as they’re opening the kitchen, but we rarely get to hear their personal stories. John Gardner is the Executive Chef and Partner of Table 26 in Turlock, CA, and he shared his story with us. When did you decide to become a...

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Fresh Things Video: Savory Cherry Menu Ideas

Hi, I’m Chef Dan with FreshPoint, and stone fruit season is upon us. I brought along the first of the sweet cherries of the season. These are Brooks cherries from California. Super-rich flavor, and with a high Brix (or sugar content). These were actually a 23.5 Brix and the flavor is incredibly rich and balanced....

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Fresh Things Video: Caulilini Menu Ideas

Hi, I’m Chef Dan with FreshPoint, and today I wanted to introduce you to the newest member of the brassica family. This is Caulilini™ Sweet Stem™ Cauliflower. It’s a new item on the market we wanted to introduce it to you. It captures the best of both worlds, the nuttiness of cauliflower with the sweetness...

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Fresh Things Video: Clingstone and freestone peaches

Hi, I’m Chef Dan with FreshPoint. And if you know me, you know how much I love stonefruit, and stonefruit season has begun. I brought by some peaches today to talk about. Here I have some eastern peaches from Florida. The domestic season starts here, and then we work our way up the Eastern Seaboard...

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What is Caulilini?

Caulilini… It’s lyrical to say—it sort of rolls off the tongue—and even more lyrical to eat, this new darling of the brassica family is one of the most exciting new vegetables to hit the market in a while. So what is it? Grown by Mann’s, here’s how they describe it: “Caulilini™ SweetStem™ Cauliflower is the...

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FreshPoint Central Florida Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony

ORLANDO,  Fla. – Last week, FreshPoint Central Florida hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its facility. Local official Commissioner Victoria Siplin attended the event and provided opening remarks. The project will double the size of the facility, adding 75,000 square feet to the existing 76,000-square-foot building. The expanded facility will have a 18,000-square-foot FreshCuts processing and...

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Video: How to use edible flowers

How do you use edible flowers? One way Chef Dan suggests is to crystallize them. But that’s only one way–he’s got a few more great ideas you should check out. There’s an old saying that April showers bring May flowers. Well, April showers also bring edible flowers. I brought a few of my favorites in...

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Strawberries and Champagne: A Vanderbilt tradition

Strawberries and Champagne is one of Vanderbilt University’s longest running traditions for their graduating class Commencement Week celebration.   This year they purchased 672 flats of Driscoll’s strawberries totaling nearly 5,400 pounds! Our crew arrived at the university at 4 a.m. We were able to wash each flat of berries and reload them on pallets...

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Video: How do they grow yellow pea shoots?

How do they grow yellow pea shoots? If they are grown from the same seeds as green pea tendrils, how do they grow yellow pea tendrils? Pea shoots, pea tendrils, however you want to call them…Chef Dan fills us in on these delicate beauties.   I brought along two more springtime items for menu inspiration....

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Fresh Things Video: Zellwood Corn–sweeter than any other corn!

Have you heard of Zellwood Corn from Long and Scott Farms? This triple-sweet corn is only available for a short time*, but while it’s here, you don’t want to miss it! Summer is here and that means it’s time for Long and Scott’s Triple Sweet Zellwood Corn. Picked and chilled daily, Zellwood corn holds its...

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Video: How do you use fresh Fava beans?

How do you use fresh Fava beans? Did you know they need to be shucked twice? Don’t worry, the effort is worth it! In this quick video, Chef Dan tells us a brief history of them, how to use them, and how to clean them. Hi, I’m Chef Dan with Freshpoint of Central Florida, and...

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People, passion, produce, peas: shoots and tendrils

Continuing our blog about English peas, Marvin and I had a nice chat about another avenue of spring peas: shoots and tendrils. Marvin Wilhite of Cahaba Clubs in Odessa, Florida in the Tampa Bay area is a long standing business partner of Sysco | FreshPoints across the country, but here in Florida, we are fortunate...

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Maria: Recognized for her distinguished community support

I’m privileged and delighted to share with everyone that recently our Operations Manager for FreshPoint Puerto Rico—Maria Innes—was recognized as an “Outstanding Woman of the Year”. Maria received an award for Distinguished Community Support from Eric Correa, Puerto Rico Senate Elect and President of the Banking, Commerce, and Credit Commission alongside the Woman’s Business, Leaders,...

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Fiddlehead Ferns: is it really a fern you are eating?

The last member of the Spring Trilogy may be the most misunderstood and underappreciated item: Fiddlehead Ferns. Appearing in temperate climates early in the spring season, Fiddlehead Ferns have been consumed for centuries.  It is thought that early French settlers sought out Fiddleheads in North America, though it was a common item in Medieval Europe,...

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Ramps: these wild leeks will ramp up your spring menu

Ramps, aka wild leeks, are part of what we call the Spring Trilogy. The other two members are Morel Mushrooms and Fiddlehead Ferns, and are one of the most eagerly anticipated spring items.  Also called spring onions, ramson, wild leeks, and even wild garlic, Ramps have a pungent aroma that mellows out once they’re cooked....

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FreshPoint Charlotte recognized with 2017 Food Industry Partner Award

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina recently recognized FreshPoint Charlotte with a 2017 Food Industry Partner Award at their 2018 Partnership Appreciation Awards Luncheon for their contribution of over 700,000 pounds of produce in 2017. The produce contributed helped to feed children, seniors, families, and pets. “We felt honored to be recognized as a company...

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Honor Flight South Florida: Kelly shares her story

I had the honor to spend the day with Korean War Veteran, and new friend Garrison Arthur Phillips, along with 68 other World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam Veterans on the Honor Flight South Florida on April 14. I wanted to be a Guardian on The Honor Flight as a way to honor my...

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