Produce Sales

The produce department continued with another year of strong sales.  Overall sales were up each month of the year over 2010.  We came very close to having our first ever 100K sales month in May, and I am hopeful that we can continue these trends and that the produce department will contribute  close to 1 Million dollars in sales to the store by the end of 2011.

Towards the beginning of fall, I received an invitation from Karl and Coco Umiker, the co-owners of Clearwater Canyon Cellars, to help with the fall harvest of grapes. Their vineyard is located in the Lewiston-Clarkston valley on farmland that has been in Coco’s family for two generations. My wife and I helped harvest Cabernet Franc as I questioned Karl and Coco about various aspects of their winery and vineyard.

Coco, with a Ph.D. in food sciences as well as undergraduate degrees in microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry, has a thorough scientific knowledge of wine-making. Karl has an undergraduate degree in chemistry and a masters in soils which enables him to ensure that their soil is healthy and supportive for all the great grapes they grow. While we ate lunch, I was able to sample the results of their knowledge. I’ve had the pleasure of sampling quite a few wines, and the Umikers make wine that fits the top of my list.

Thanksgiving is easily my favorite holiday.  Getting together with family to share a meal and enjoy the company of relatives you only see once or twice a year is a joy.  That’s why I’m excited about what the deli and bakery will have for you this month to take the work and worry out of what should be a happy and relaxing holiday.

We’ve have been concocting some great food for the holiday season.  We have a guide by our soups so you can see when your favorite is likely coming up.  Also keep an eye out for our Thanksgiving fare, with delightful items like Stuffing Bread, Green Bean Casserole, Mashed Roots, and Pumpkin Pie.  There will also be a variety of take and bake Thanksgiving essentials to take the stress out of cooking the meal.

“The best way to learn about wine is to uncork a few bottles and start sampling.” Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator's

This month I had the distinct pleasure of following Steiman’s advice.  A representative from Small Vineyards arrived with several wines to sample. Small Vineyards is an American based Italian wine importer.  Small Vineyards “typically taste 200-300 wines each month, but only fall in love with one or two.”  The importer specializes in finding smaller scale operations.  Most of the vineyards practice sustainable and organic agriculture for their grapes.