Fresh From the Field Fridays
Welcome to Fresh From The Field Fridays with Dan "The Produce Man" Avakian! Tune in weekly for your essential download on supply trends, category updates, brand awareness, and what's hot in the market. Broadcasting live from the vibrant San Francisco Bay of California, we delve into every aspect of the produce and supply chain industry. Join us each week for insightful discussions, expert interviews, and the freshest updates to keep you ahead of the curve in the produce world. Don't miss out on the latest in the industry – subscribe and stay informed with Fresh From The Field Fridays!
Cracked Pomegranates: Trash or Treasure? Plus Some Amazing Fall Fruit!
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, we're turning DOWN the heat and turning UP the flavor with some delicious Italian frying peppers! They're sweet, they're delicious, and they're headed straight for the skillet!
And what's the deal with cracked pomegranates? Are they past their prime, or could they be bursting with flavor? You might be surprised!
Then it's an apple extravaganza! We've got the sweet and delicious Autumn Glory, the Davison, the beautiful pink-fleshed Mountain Rose, and the legendary Arkansas Black! Four fascinating apples, each with a personality all its own!
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THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF TRUFFLES! From Forest to Fork
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man is joined by Stefanie di Carimate, truffle expert and culinary professional!
We're exploring the fascinating world of truffles, from the different varieties and where they grow to how they're harvested, some surprising tricks of the trade, and a whole lot more!
If you love truffles, well, this episode is for you!
It's all right here on Fresh From the Field Fridays, from the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media.
Visit AgLifeMedia.com today!
🎃 FROM PORCH TO PLATE! PUMPKINS YOU NEVER KNEW YOU COULD EAT!
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man!
All those beautiful pumpkins, gourds, and squashes decorating your front porch, home, or office. Did you know that many of them are not only edible, but absolutely delicious?
Dan the Produce Man shares some of his favorite edible pumpkin and squash varieties, including some you probably never knew you could eat! And boy, are they tasty!
It's all right here on Fresh From the Field Fridays, from the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media!
Visit AgLifeMedia.com...
RARE APPLES, RED COMICE PEARS & A TASTE OF FALL!
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man takes a look at beautiful Red Comice pears from Medford, Oregon, the ever-tasty heirloom Spitzenberg apple, Lucy Glow and Lucy Rose apples, Wickson crab apples, and Listada eggplant. Plus, Dan gives us a brief report on some of the summer fruit that’s still hanging on and the fall fruit that’s just beginning to arrive.
It’s all right here on Fresh From the Field Fridays, brought to you by the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media. Check out AgLifeMedia.com today!
Wine Grapes in Decline, Rare Apples, Rambutan & Brand-New Microgreens
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man, Dan takes a look at the decline in California wine grape acreage and wine consumption. Then, we get into some locally grown heirloom and classic apple varieties, including Brushy Mountain Limbertwig, Jonathan, Golden Delicious, and Jonagold, plus how the Jonagold apple was created. We’ll also take a quick look at some rambutan, and then Dan visits with Mike LaRocco at Fresh Origins for a look at some exciting new microgreens launching this month.
It’s all right here on Fresh From the Field Frid...
Dandelion Greens, Chocolate Persimmons & the Great Shallot Mystery!
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays from the Produce Industry Network, Dan the Produce Man features fresh dandelion greens. They’re incredibly nutritious, and Dan shows you how to pick the best bunches and put them to work in your culinary creations.
We’ve also got Fall Fiesta pluots, Betty Ann plums, and shallots. Why are some shallots puffy and soft, with loose, dried-out rings, while others are nice and firm? We’ve got the scoop.
Plus, what happens to all that beautiful produce on the table after the podcast? You’ll find out!
...From Kingsburg Plums to Coachella Dates: California’s Fall Harvest
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man features some exciting new plum varieties from Kingsburg Orchards, bred specifically for late summer and fall.
And it’s date harvest season! From the Coachella Valley all the way down toward the Mexican border, Southern California’s date harvest is underway. Dan visits Mecca Date Farm in Mecca, California, and catches up with farmer Eddie Lopez to talk dates, the harvest, and what’s happening on the farm right now.
It’s all right here on Fresh From the Field Fridays, from the Produce...
The Pear, the Monk & Some Seriously Groovy Produce
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, it’s Labor Day weekend! And while everyone else is talking about watermelons, corn, and barbecue, Dan the Produce Man is sharing some groovy goodies, from the produce department in your grocery store to some rarities at the fruit stand.
We kick things off with Asian pears, along with an old Chinese tale about a pear farmer and a Taoist monk that has a little lesson tucked inside.
Then we get into Golden Russet apples, an old-world heirloom variety. From there, we go to everyone’s favorite. That...
Right from the Orchard! 50 Years of Frog Hollow Farm
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man is joined by Farmer Al Courchesne of Frog Hollow Farm, coming to you right from a pluot orchard in Brentwood, California!
Al is celebrating 50 years of farming at Frog Hollow Farm, and he and Dan dig into how the farm has evolved over the decades. You'll hear how Frog Hollow grows its incredible fruit organically and regeneratively, makes its own compost, and gets that tree-ripened fruit from the orchard to market.
They also talk about how Frog Hollow puts overripe fruit to good...
These Mid-August Produce Finds Are Incredible!
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man has a table filled with mid-August produce goodies!
We start with two heirloom apples, Burgundy and Strawberry Chenango, then dive into avocados with some fun facts, varietal history, and tips on how to select the perfect one.
Plus, Blue Lake green beans, Sugar Kiss melons, Atlantis cantaloupes, dry-farmed Early Girl tomatoes, Niabell grapes, and San Marzano tomatoes!
That’s right, it’s a mid-August produce-packed podcast, brought to you by the Produce Industry Network and powered by AgLife Media.
Chec...
Fresh Produce Changing Lives: Inside Brighter Bites
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man is joined by Michelle McCarty of Brighter Bites, a nonprofit organization working to get more fresh fruits and vegetables into the hands, homes, and stomachs of kids and families across the country.
Brighter Bites partners with schools, communities, food banks, growers, distributors, and others in the produce industry to provide families with fresh produce at no cost. But they don't stop there. They also provide nutrition education, recipes, tips, and fun food experiences that help kids and their families learn how to enjoy and use...
What’s the Rolls Royce of Figs? Plus Incredible August Produce!
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man shares some incredible produce finds for the beginning of August!
We start off with organically grown cranberry beans, Gravenstein apples, and the beautiful Pink Pearl apple. Find out which fig variety Dan calls the "Rolls Royce of figs!"
Plus, Piel de Sapo melons, Arctic white nectarine varieties, Fantasia nectarines, green tomatoes, and cucumbers straight from Dan's garden, along with a great cucumber gardening tip and a surprising use for jalapeño peppers!
It's all right here on Fresh from the Field F...
Food Safety or Fear? Separating Fact from Fiction on Fresh Produce
his week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man welcomes back to the microphone Ross "The Produce Boss" as they recap the recent International Fresh Produce Association Foodservice Conference in Monterey and dive into the latest Cyclospora food safety scare.
How much of what you're seeing on social media is fact, and how much is fear-driven sensationalism? Dan and Ross separate fact from fiction, discuss what produce is safe, what consumers should know, and how to make sure you're getting accurate information instead of clickbait. Plus, they cover the importance of keeping fresh fruits...
On the Road in California: Peaches, Grapes & the Organic Produce Summit
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man kicks things off in Shasta City, California, then heads to Red Bluff and Los Molinos to pick up some delicious Gene Elberta peaches.
Next, we take a look at naturally grown Thompson Seedless and Flame Seedless grapes, and answer the question: What is gibberellic acid, and why is it sprayed on some fruit?
Then we head to Monterey, California, for the Organic Produce Summit, where we feature Betterful blueberries, introduce the new Lumi apple, stop by Permanent Agriculture, and finish up with a...
The Tomato Trick You Won't Believe (Plus This Week's Best Summer Produce)
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man brings you some of the best of the season! We're featuring delicate squash blossoms, tender scallopini squash, colorful sunburst squash, sweet seedless Concord grapes, crisp Stark Crimson pears, and juicy Angelus peaches.
And stick around for a surprising backyard gardening tip as Dan shares an unconventional way to keep nighttime critters from helping themselves to your homegrown tomatoes.
It's all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays, brought to you by the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media. Visit aglifemedia.com...
California Pear Season Is Here — So Why Are Imports Still Here?
Dan doesn't usually replay past episodes, but this is one that deserves another look.
While Dan is on the road this week, he's bringing back an important conversation with Chris Zanobini of the California Pear Advisory Board, originally recorded this past April. Now that California pear season is in full swing and the challenges discussed in this interview still persist, we felt it was important to bring this conversation back to the forefront and raise even more awareness.
This week on Fresh From The Field Fridays...
Dan is joined by Chris Zanobini from...
The King of Pluots, Brandywine Tomatoes, and More 4th of July Favorites
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man brings you four groovy goodies for your 4th of July weekend. No watermelons. No corn. Just four fantastic summertime favorites.
We're talking legendary Brandywine heirloom tomatoes and why they're considered by many to be the best tasting tomato ever grown. Then it's the king of pluots. Which one is it? You'll have to stick around and find out. We'll also sink our teeth into sweet, juicy orange flesh honeydews and finish up with California potatoes, just in time for your holiday barbecue.
It's...
Summer Produce Spotlight: Suncrest Peaches, Mini Midnight Watermelons & More
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan "The Produce Man" Avakian takes you through some of the best fresh produce in season. This week's lineup includes Mini Midnight watermelons, legendary Suncrest peaches, sweet and flavorful Peach Pie donut peaches, Sun Gold tomatoes, Italian sweet Marconi peppers, plus a quick produce tidbit on Chipperbec potatoes. Whether you're shopping at your local grocery store or farmers market, you'll get tips on what to look for, how to pick the best produce, and why these seasonal favorites deserve a spot on your table. It's all right here on Fresh from...
From Yumi Watermelon to Stockton Sweet Reds: Fresh Picks of the Week
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays, Dan The Produce Man is serving up a table full of summer flavor! From Yumi watermelon and Adriatic figs to Northwest cherries, Stockton sweet red onions, serpent cucumbers, fresh-picked berries, rhubarb, butter lettuce, domestic shiitake mushrooms, juicy plums, and expert tips on choosing the perfect peach—it's all here.
Brought to you by the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media. Visit aglifemedia.com today.
Tuscan Cantaloupes, Royal Blenheims and the Great Apricot Debate
This week on Fresh From The Field Fridays, Dan The Produce Man brings another helping of produce knowledge, seasonal insights, and practical tips you can use the next time you shop.
On the produce table are Dulcinea Tuscan cantaloupes and one of the great fruit debates: What's the difference between Royal apricots, Blenheim apricots, and Royal Blenheim apricots? Are they one and the same, or are they different varieties? Dan explains the history behind these legendary apricots and clears up the confusion.
You'll also learn how to improve your chances of choosing an avocado with...
Are We Eating Ourselves Sick? Dr. Joel Fuhrman Weighs In
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man welcomes Dr. Joel Fuhrman, board-certified family physician, seven-time New York Times bestselling author, and internationally recognized expert in nutrition and disease prevention.
In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Fuhrman explains what it means to be a Nutritarian, the importance of nutrient density, the health benefits of his famous "G-BOMBS" foods, and why fruits and vegetables play such a critical role in longevity and disease prevention. Dan and Dr. Fuhrman also discuss modern eating habits, food addiction, chronic disease, and whether many of today's most common health...
Summer Produce Is Heating Up - Figs, Plums, Corn and More
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man, on the produce table: early-season Santa Rosa-type plums, Japanese cucumbers, tamarillos, and the first California figs of the season. Find out what makes white peaches taste sweeter than yellow peaches, why organic bell pepper prices are so high right now, and get tips on how to pick the perfect pineapple and the perfect ear of corn. It's all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays from The Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media. Check out AgLife Media today.
From Ancient Times to California Fields - The Story of the Cantaloupe
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, California melons are in from El Centro, and May marks the beginning of California cantaloupe season.
Dan the Produce Man dives deep into the fascinating history of the cantaloupe - from ancient times, to the papal villa where the melon is believed to have received its name, to the American railroad system that helped spread cantaloupes across the United States. Did cantaloupes really kill a pope? And how did they actually help save lives during World War II? Dan breaks it all down.
Also on the table...
Fresh for 50 Years - Dan The Produce Man Looks Back
It was May of 1976 when 15-year-old Dan the Produce Man walked into a produce market in his hometown of Alameda, California. That’s where it all began.
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Patrick Kelly joins Dan to look back on some of the moments, memories, and fun from Dan’s 50 years in the fresh produce industry.
From retail to wholesale, foodservice distribution, home delivery, and owning his own produce company, Dan’s journey through five decades in produce has been one incredible ride.
Join us as we celebrate 50 years in the pr...
Hot Seasonal Picks - Papayas, Pixies & Apricots and More...
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man has a whole lineup on the table - starting with rain-damaged Apache apricots and as peaches and nectarines begin filling the stands we’re saying goodbye to one of the season’s favorite citrus items - sweet, easy-peeling Ojai Pixie tangerines.
Dan shares a quick purple artichoke tip, talks about items for his Juice Cleanse, Maradol papayas, white asparagus, how to pick out the freshest greens, and even how to sweeten up your juice naturally without adding fruit. Plus - Sweetest Batch strawberries, gold kiwi from...
Inside Sandy Shore Farms - Asparagus, Regenerative Farming, and Community
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man is joined by Marc Wall and Neil Smith of Sandy Shore Farms in Ontario, Canada.
And right now, one of the big crops coming out of Ontario is asparagus. Marc and Neil talk about the Canadian asparagus season, how they work alongside growers in Michigan and New Jersey, and how imports from Mexico are affecting the market.
They also share why customers in their area are so receptive to local crops, the differences between asparagus varieties, and how those varieties all trace back...
Are Imported Pears Crushing California’s Bartlett Crop?
This week on Fresh From The Field Fridays…
Dan is joined by Chris Zanobini from the California Pear Advisory Board.
We’re digging into what’s really going on with imported pears flooding the market right when California fruit - especially Bartletts - is coming on. What that means for our growers, what you’re seeing at retail, and why it matters more than most people realize.
We also get into how the produce industry - and you as a consumer - can actually be part of the solution.
Fresh From The Fiel...
Spring Produce Lineup Cherries Apricots Peaches and More
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man
We’ve got Bei Bei Kabocha squash, baby fava beans, Seascape strawberries, first of the season California Tioga cherries, plus fresh California apricots, peaches, and purple asparagus
It’s all right here - your produce market on the podosphere
Fresh From the Field Fridays, from the Produce Industry Network, powered by Ag Life Media
Check out aglifemedia.com today
Longan to Mangoes: The Hottest Fresh Produce Hits This Week
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man brings you four outstanding spring items that are sure to get your attention.
First, we head into the tropical fruit world with the exotic and delicious longan.
Then it’s off to Watsonville, California for beautiful red Little Gem lettuce and fresh new crop sugar snap peas.
We also explain the difference between stringless and traditional sugar snap peas.
And while we’re talking peas, we dive into pea greens, tendrils, and shoots, and how to use those tender gree...
Fresh, Fast, and Right Off the Farm, Spring Produce Is Rolling In
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man, we’re talking spring. Four items that are really shining right now.
Savoy or Bloomsdale spinach, fresh harvested English peas, young spring radishes, and new crop California blueberries.
Then we take a trip to the farmers market and catch up with Eric Arias of Castellano Farms out of Dinuba, California. He gives us an update on the upcoming stone fruit season, with fruit expected to hit the market mid-May.
It’s a crop update, and we’ll tell you what, the fr...
A Juicy Strawberry Romance Story from Dan’s Younger Days
This week, we’re talking Gravenstein apples, a Sonoma County classic that is fading fast.
Up in the Yuba City area, peach orchards - gone!
At the same time, a whole wave of new fruit and berry varieties is coming your way.
And in the bigger picture, restaurants are closing left and right. What is really going on out there?
Plus, seasonal specialties like fiddlehead ferns and baby artichokes.
And a juicy strawberry romance story from Dan’s younger days.
It is all right here on Fresh from...
Spring Heatwave in California - Are Cherries and Peaches at Risk?
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man dives into what this early spring heat wave here in California could be doing to the cherry crop, those blossoms still hanging on, and how it may impact early stone fruit still on the trees.
Then we head over to the produce table where he has purple snow peas, Padrón peppers, Ojai Pixie tangerines, jumbo heirloom artichokes, and red seedless Muscat grapes. Real springtime gems, good for your soul, good for your health, and flat-out enjoyable.
It’s all right here on Fre...
From St. Patrick’s Day Cabbage to the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man dives into St. Patrick’s Day cabbage—a classic that’s been showing up on produce stands and dinner tables for generations.
Then we take a trip over to the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, where we talk with growers about Gem and Zutano avocados and what makes those varieties special.
We also get into spring onions and the famous calcot onions—those sweet Spanish grilling onions grown using a special mounding technique that chefs love to roast over an open flame.
It’...
From Kumquats to Garlic: Late Season Citrus & Why California Asparagus Is Vanishing
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, we’re getting into some late-season citrus with sour oranges and kumquats. We’ve also got mini sapotes on the table, the difference between Hawaiian ginger and Chinese ginger, California garlic versus Chinese garlic, Meyer lemons, and we’ll talk about what happened to all the California asparagus.
It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays from the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media.
From Mushrooms to Mandarins: King Oyster Pulled Pork, Dazzle Apples & Blood Orange varieties!
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Dan has King Oyster mushrooms on the produce table. Learn how you can turn these incredible mushrooms into vegan pulled pork and delicious tacos.
Also on the table is Dazzle variety sweet apples, Ataulfo mangoes, Kinnow mandarins, and three varieties of blood oranges to taste and compare.
It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man, brought to you by the Produce Industry Network, powered by AGLife Media.
Check out aglifemedia.com today!
Fueling the Olympics: Fresh Produce and Performance Insights from Italy
Join Ross the Produce Boss as he fills in for Dan with special guest Patrick Kelly to dive into the role of fresh produce in fueling athletes at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Explore how Italian cuisine and seasonal fruits and veggies are powering peak performance, plus insider tips on what’s fresh and local this season. Tune in for fresh industry insights, Olympic highlights, and a celebration of produce in sport!
The Rise of Cabbage, Strawberry Season, and the Power of the Farmer’s Voice
This week on Fresh From the Field Fridays, Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss welcome Caroline Lewis, founder of The Farmer’s Feed—all about reconnecting people with the farmers who actually grow their food.
We dig into the cabbage trend that’s heating up in foodservice and retail, talk about why farmers need to tell their own stories, and how getting closer to the consumer really matters right now. We also hit on Valentine’s Day strawberries, a little floral, and what it all means at store level.
It’s real people, re...
Earthquakes, Snow, and Super Bowl Snacks: Fresh Produce Takes Center Stage
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, we’re talking earthquakes, snowy weather, and the real-world challenges facing the produce industry right now. On the fresh side, we dive into Gold Nugget mandarins, Cuties in bags, Enchanted cider, cello radishes, the sweetest batch blueberries, blood orange varieties, and pineberries. We also cover bringing healthier produce options to a kids’ dance competition, Super Bowl produce ideas including crudités and snackable fruit and veg, plant-based options, and a little Valentine’s Day inspiration too.
It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays with Dan the Produ...
New Produce Finds: Zucchiolo, Valentine Pomelo, and the Colorful World of Cauliflower
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays with Dan the Produce Man and Ross the Produce Boss, Ross is fresh back from the SWIPE show and brings us a brand-new item called Zucchiolo. We also talk frozen grapes and why they’re such a great snack.
On the produce table: Gold Nugget mandarins, Valentine pomelo, and a full lineup of cauliflower – white, green, purple, orange, plus the wild looking Romanesco. What’s the difference between them all? We break it down.
We also get into waxy potatoes versus starchy potatoes, and why Idaho isn’t the on...
New Produce Finds: Juicy Crunch Tangerines, PictSweet Air Fryer Veggies & Microgreens
This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays, Ross “The Produce Boss” and Dan the Produce Man share some great finds from the market. Ross talks about the Juicy Crunch tangerine, some air-fryer-ready frozen produce from PictSweet Farms, and a sweet treat — chocolate-covered pistachios. Dan dives into more microgreen varieties and shows off those beautiful bunched, multi-colored watermelon radishes.
It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays from the Produce Industry Network, powered by AgLife Media.
