LOCAL, LIGHTER PRODUCE
Q: Which other locally sourced produce lines should I be looking out for at the moment?
While it may still be only September, I am already shifting towards alfresco dining (where possible) and adjusting my palate to the lighter, fresher flavours that go hand in hand with the rising mercury and my annual Spring health kick. I know I’m not alone and this week I wanted to share not only our range of fresh produce lines perfect for the next wave of salads and sides, but also show some support for our local growers and profile top quality produce that SG&S is currently sourcing from Greater Sydney/NSW based growers.
SALAD LEAF LINES:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Hydroponic Mix
There are a number of reasons to enjoy hydro lettuce, probably the most obvious being it is free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. It may not technically be classified as organic but many consider it pretty close. Essentially a mesclun mix made up of ¾ leaf sizes (rocket, baby spinach etc) it’s a great base for any salad.
Source: Sydney/NSW
Supply: good supply, all leaf lines performing well
LOCAL PRODUCT: Oak Lettuce (Red/Green)
For further information on Oak Lettuce characteristics and availability, please refer to our past blog on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: mostly NSW, however product is also sourced from VIC when required
Supply: currently performing well- supply, quality and price all good
LOCAL PRODUCT: Cos Lettuce (Standard/Baby)
For more information on Cos Lettuce characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: NSW
Supply: Both Baby Cos and standard Cos are performing well, standard Cos is good quality and super cheap- making it one of our best buys this week. Meanwhile Baby Cos is fantastic eating
LOCAL PRODUCT: Chicory Leaf
Not to be confused with Witlof/Belgian Endive which is also sometimes referred to as Chicory, this leaf line boasts a stronger bitter flavour than witlof, with production peaking in the warmer months.
Source: NSW
Supply: good quality stock, with supply plentiful and therefore pricing well
LOCAL PRODUCT: Endive
For further information on Endive characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: NSW
Supply: good quality stock, with supply plentiful and therefore pricing well
SALAD EXTRAS:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Spring Onions aka Salad Onions
Growing up my mother referred to Spring Onions as Salad Onions, their softer flavour and characteristics make the perfect for lighter dishes
Source: NSW
Supply: great buying at the moment, quality is fantastic and supply strong
SIDES:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Dutch Carrots & Baby Dutch Carrots
For more information on Dutch Carrots characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on baby veg – Life’s Little Treasures
Source: NSW
Supply: lovely sweet carrots arriving at the markets- steady supply and good pricing
LOCAL PRODUCT: Silverbeet
The original Australian Spinach, not only is it great buying at the moment but full of nutrition and flavour
Source: NSW
Supply: One of our best buys this week Silverbeet is fantastic quality, great supply and priced accordingly
LOCAL PRODUCT: Cime de Rapa aka Rapini, Broccoli Rapa
A common cooking vegetable in Italy, the slightly bitter florets and leaves of Rapa make it worth adding to the shopping list as it goes beautifully
Source: NSW
Supply: featured on our ‘Something Different’ items this week Rapa is arriving in good quality and is reasonably supplied and priced at the moment
LOCAL PRODUCT: Field Mushrooms
Despite falling outside the usual peak period for mushrooms, most varieties are fantastic eating at the moment. For more information on mushroom characteristics, please refer to our past bulletin – Packed to the Gills
Source: NSW
Supply: Cup mushrooms in particular are fantastic buying and eating right now, however it is always hard to go past a magnificently meaty Portabello!
A: Our local farmers are doing us proud, currently supplying fantastic quality BERRIES- mulberries, blueberries, APPLES, ZUCCHINI FLOWERS- fruit attached, KALE, TUSCAN CABBAGE the list goes on. When it comes to serving up a stunning side you might want to consider our Asian greens which are almost entirely sourced from local farmers – chinese broccoli, bok choi, gai choy, choi sum to name a few. In terms of performance, the market is currently seeing good quality and price for Asian Greens, with the exception of Gai Choy which is in short supply?
TRUE LOCAL
Q: With the urban sprawl of Sydney, do we have truly local produce available?
The Crave, Sydney International Food Festival is well and truly underway with Sydneysiders (and travelling foodies) basking in the glow of World Class chefs and the latest food trends. Despite its international focus, the festival keeps some things close to home. The 100 mile meal challenge, is a series of events that throw down the gauntlet to Sydney chefs, challenging them to host an event where their menu is made up entirely of locally grown produce. There are over twenty 100 mile meal events being held this year, with sustainability champion Jared Ingersoll from Cotton Duck going so far as to host a 10 mile waddle.
Outside of the Crave Festival, Sydney chefs are increasingly requesting local produce; actively embracing the market culture and the benefits of using seasonal ingredients with low food miles. A prime example is the redesign of Café Opera at the Intercontinental Hotel, where Executive Head Chef Tamas Pamer and Executive Sous Chef Julien Pouteau took on the challenge of using seasonal, locally produced ingredients in their signature buffet.
Simon George & Sons works closely with Sydney producers and has a strong offering of local produce this Spring, much of which is grown within 50 miles of Sydney, never mind 100! To prepare your palate for the 100 Mile Meals series, here is a snapshot of some of our best produce from close to home:
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Exotic Mushrooms- Oyster (white, pink, yellow), Nameko, Enoki, Gold Enoki, Porcini, Shimeji, Shitake, Swiss Brown, Woodear
Heirloom Carrots- Purple, White, Yellow
Carrots- Golfball, Dutch
Beetroot- Standard, Baby Beetroot, Baby Goldne Beetroot
Edible Flowers- Season about to start
Asian Veges- Most ranges
Zucchini Flowers
PANTRY STAPLES
Tomatoes- Truss, Cherry Truss, Roma
Hydroponic Lettuce- Baby Cos
Lettuce- Cos, Iceberg
Garden Vegetables- Shallots, Spring Onions, Radish etc
Herbs- Basil, Rosemary, Parsley, Thyme etc
Sprouts and Shoots- Bean Sprouts
Cucumber- Telegraph, Lebanese
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Silverbeet
English Spinach
Strawberries
Chicory/Witlof
Rhubarb
Lemons
Eggs
Get into the spirit of 100 Mile Meals with your own local produce menu. Contact Simon George & Sons for more information on this season’s best local produce.
A: Yes. Greater Sydney produces 7% of the state’s total agriculture and 12% of its total vegetables. The Sydney region overall produces 90% of the fresh Asian vegetables consumed in the state and 80% of its fresh mushrooms (Ecos Magazine). In 05/06, the Hawkesbury produced $61 million worth of veges, fruit and eggs, Penrith $32 million, Liverpool 19million, Camden $17milion and Campbelltown $3.4 million (Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036). Now that’s true local.