On November 22, I attended the founding meeting of the Technical Committee of the International Sprout Growers Association (ISGA). This is a really promising initiative by the ISGA; it's modeled somewhat on a similar committee of the International Fresh Cut Produce Association. The attendees at this first meeting included sprouters, sprout suppliers, and representatives of Canadian federal regulators and some US state representatives. The committee is in the process of constituting itself, and deciding on priorities for work, research, etc. Of course, solving problems with pathogens in sprouts, and coming up with better methods to combat this problem, will be at the top of the list. I expect really great results from this committee. If you are considering joining the ISGA, this is one more good reason to do so.

If you're interested in joining ISGA, see their website at
 www.isga-sprouts.org or
mail: ISGA, 2150 N. 107th St., Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98133-9009 USA

Telephone Number: (206) 367-8704

Amaranth - Quick sprouting tiny seeds. We have a limited quantity, perhaps best used in a mix or as micro-greens.

White Bolivian Quinoa - this is a larger seeded type of quinoa, good for sprouting and for cooking. We also still have our own beige quinoa.

Speckled Sprouting Peas - these are a substitute for our yellow Trapper peas. They grow an even taller sweet shoot, with fast growth and good yield.

Green Peas - We have a new lot of green peas that are good both for short sprouts and a high yield of leafy shoots with tendrils. Supply may not last until the 2003 crop.

White Lentils - This is a new variety of lentils that has a clear hilum (skin). This skin won't turn brown like normal lentils, and should be less objectionable in sprouted lentil products.

Broccoli - We have a new lot of broccoli, very vigorous. Supplies will be gone quickly, but we hope for new stocks again in March.

Ancient Eastern Blend - Fenugreek, Lentils, Kamut, Adzuki

Broccoli Brassica Blend - Broccoli, Broccoli Raab, Canola, Radish, Mustard, Arugula

Fennel - licorice flavour!

Tiny Bill Jump Peas - These are finally back in stock. These tiny speckled peas can be used for short sprouts or shoots.

Popcorn - usually grown in the dark, extremely sweet.

Soy Beans - Limited quantity of the small sprouting type.

Baby Blanket - soil-less growing medium for shoots or greens. We're experimenting with this, especially for mucilaginous seeds like arugula, cress, basil, etc. Used by many wheatgrass growers.

Sea Spray kelp - cold processed seaweed fertilizer for sprouting or green and grass growing

Several commercial wheatgrass growers are using this as a growing medium, and have found it to be a big advantage. No need to source fresh organic soil, and no worries about changes in quality of the soil. Baby Blanket is made of felted jute, a dried grass material. The grass is harvested in the wild and is organically produced. OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) certification has been applied for , but with current changes in organic standards the process is slow. Approval is expected around the end of 2003.

The Sea Spray kelp is OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) approved, meaning it is acceptable in most organic certification systems. We have tested both for presence of salmonella and e-coli O157.

The Baby Blanket could be composted, or possibly cleaned, disinfected, and reused. It comes in 39" wide by 10' or 50' rolls, or we can cut it to size for a small extra charge.