Witnessing a product journey from seed to table is a beautiful thing—made even more revealing and precious by the individual hands that play their part along the way. In many a saga, culinary creators elevate its narrative and take fresh produce’s possibilities to a whole new level. These food artists are themselves storytellers, and can take the perfection in the field and communicate it on the plate—one dish at a time. Please join me as we bring you these fresh produce suppliers and the culinary distinctions that give their products flight…
“When it comes to recipe development, working with Tawnie Graham has been an absolute joy! Not only is she passionate about fresh produce, but she’s also incredibly talented at curating recipes that highlight the versatility and nutritional components of Bee Sweet’s varieties. As a Registered Dietitian, business owner, and mother of two, Tawnie understands the need for families to have quick, flavorful recipes on hand, and her work at Kroll’s Korner beautifully showcases how citrus can seamlessly fit into the lives of busy families.”
“It’s always such a pleasure working with my friends at Bee Sweet Citrus. Since I was born and raised in Fresno, California, it’s wonderful working with local companies, especially ones that have such a great product. I’ve developed several recipes over the years for Bee Sweet, and it’s so fun because of the versatility of citrus. From desserts and drinks to salads and breakfast options, there is always a creative way to incorporate citrus into your daily routine, and Bee Sweet makes it easy with its quality products.”
“We’ve had great fun collaborating with Chef Emily Butcher to craft a series of delectable salad kits for UP Vertical Farms that perfectly capture the latest culinary trends. Emily effortlessly integrates unique ingredients into her recipes while ensuring they remain relevant and accessible. She tailors each creation to align with project requirements and ingredient availability, all without compromising on flavor. Through this partnership, we’ve not only introduced innovative offerings but also ensured widespread appeal, thanks to Emily’s expertise and creativity.”
“It has been such a learning experience to work with Oppy and UP Vertical Farms. I’ve been on the sidelines while they perfect their innovative growing technology to create a versatile product that consistently eats well. As a chef, I feel a responsibility to seek out food sources with a lower impact on the environment while still maintaining quality. The ability to have fresh, local lettuce all year ‘round is a dream! Now, it’s my job to take a great product and make it even more exciting for the consumer to take home. This means suggesting recipes and expanding what consumers typically think of a salad mix.”
“Avocados are incredibly versatile and can transcend culinary boundaries through flavors, textures, and cultural connections—they are a fruit that brings us all together. As the avo experts, Westfalia Fruit likes working with culinary experts like Chef Malek Larbi because these partnerships allow us to get creative with our favorite ingredient: avocados. Deliciously creamy avocados, with their vibrant, signature green color, can elevate salads, savory dishes, and even sweet and decadent desserts. It is a lot of fun exploring new cooking styles, pairings, and trends to ultimately create a memorable experience for consumers.”
“We enjoy collaborating with Westfalia Fruit—avocados are a delightful and playful ingredient, especially for pastries and desserts. The avocado macarons pair Westfalia’s deliciously creamy fresh avocados with white chocolate and vanilla. It was a lot of fun to develop, and it was such a hit with our customers that we kept them on our menu. Now, we are exploring even more ways to include the unique flavors and velvety textures of avocados in our sweet treats and savory fares.” 
