Latest News From Artichokes

Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms says its winter artichoke season in Coachella, Calif., is well underway, peaking with harvests of its Gold Standard (green globe) artichokes.

The specialty artichokes are shipping now and will be intermittently available throughout the winter, the company says.

The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 data shows younger shoppers, higher-income households, those with more kids at home were among those reporting the highest organic artichoke purchase rates.

As the Coachella Valley, Calif., season begins, Ocean Mist is eyeing strong volumes to meet customer demand through the holiday season and into the new year.

Ocean Mist Farms unveiled a 30-by-30-foot booth at the recent Global Produce and Floral Show, providing an opportunity to tell the story of the fourth-generation legacy company and its value-added products.

Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms was presented with the IFPA Foodservice Conference’s Chef’s Choice Award at the annual show in Monterey on July 28.

How many shoppers go beyond spinach and artichoke dip — and actually buy the whole, fresh artichoke?

Ben Wilson, Ocean Mist Farms artichoke commodity manager, said the company is seeing outstanding-quality artichokes, focused primarily on large sizes.

A greater percentage of higher-income consumers reported fresh artichoke purchases; 14% of consumers making more than $100,000 per year said they purchased fresh artichokes in the previous year.

Ocean Mist Farms forecasts peak harvest of its proprietary purple artichoke variety between Feb. 20 and April 23.

The increased supply of artichokes provides retailers an opportunity for a seasonal boost in category sales, meeting shopper demand around healthy eating choices, the company said.

Results from the survey revealed that more consumers made it their intention to shop exclusively organic when they purchase artichokes, compared with the previous two years. 

Produce industry veteran Mark Munger has joined artichoke grower Ocean Mist Farms as its next senior director of marketing.

MONTEREY, Calif. — Watsonville, Calif.-based Lakeside Organic Gardens is now packing artichokes under its own label, says Marliese Myers, marketing director.

Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms is celebrating its 98th year of growing artichokes in the Castroville, Calif., region.

Affluence and age affect organic artichoke purchases, according to survey results from Organic Fresh Trends 2022.

Strawberries retained the No. 1 spot on PMG the week of Feb. 1, but apples rose from No. 8 the previous week to take the No. 2 slot.

Ocean Mist Farms, the leading grower and marketer of fresh artichokes, welcomes the first Frost Kissed crop of the season.

Artichoke grower-marketer Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, Calif., hired Jesse Lopez as commodity account manager.

Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, Calif., has promoted Chris Drew to chief operations officer and Gladys Venezuela-Corzo to vice president of human resources.

Ocean Mist Farms conducted its annual Gold Standard promotion from April 13 to May 13.

Ocean Mist Farms is introducing a purple artichoke, a colorful seasonal variety selected for its flavor and appearance.

This information, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, shows week-by-week shipments and f.o.b.s for commodities from shipments for the fresh market.

Whether you’re looking for organic Brussels sprouts, romaine hearts, tomatoes or just about any other vegetable this summer, supplies should be ample. 

Oranges continued their hold on the top spot on PMG the week of April 6, but the rest of the top 5 shuffled slightly.

Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, Calif., is highlighting health and nutrition aspects or artichokes with the spring Gold Standard promotion.

The organic version of this spiky vegetable found favor in households with children, according to Organic Fresh Trends 2020.

Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, Calif., has started harvesting the Coachella artichoke crop.

New recyclable corrugated packaging options are available from Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms.

Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms is marketing its first Frost Kissed artichokes of the season.

Ocean Mist Farms’ long-stem artichokes are available from gourmet food company Harry & David.

Ocean Mist Farms has announced the launch of its Friendsgiving Flavor campaign to promote the Season & Steam product line to shoppers during the holiday season.

The government of Italy has asked the U.S. to allow imports of artichokes from Sardinia, Italy.

Ocean Mist is bringing chef Christopher Vacca to the Produce Marketing Association’s Foodservice Conference & Expo to create Tuscan Style Braised Baby Artichokes to sample on the show floor.

Organic grower-shipper Wholesum, Amado, Ariz., has a new program to highlight its Fair Trade program for consumers and retailers.

Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms completed a new type of peak-season artichoke promotion using e-mailed trivia.

Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, Calif., is launching Reach for the Gold, its spring artichoke campaign.

Wholesum is expanding its Fair Trade program with organic artichokes in Salinas, Calif.

Ocean Mist Farms is kicking off the Coachella, Calif., season with Peace, Love & Artichokes.

Ocean Mist is kicking off a fall consumer promotion that includes give-away sweepstakes, social media influencers and advertising, and geo-targeted coupons.

Ocean Mist Farms is seeing success with a promotion that uses bloggers, a dietitian and an app to educate and inspire consumers and spur purchases.

Chefs showcased recipes and contestants chowed down on artichokes during the 59th annual Artichoke Food & Wine Festival.

Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms is launching a multi-faceted digital promotion that prompts consumers to enjoy artichokes.

The Castroville, Calif., artichoke industry is gearing up for the 59th annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival, June 2-3 at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey.

Rain and frost have reduced supply of California artichokes well below Easter demand.

Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms will have its Frost Kissed artichokes for the next several weeks.

Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist Farms has a new website.

Growers of winter desert vegetables anticipate ample supplies of good-quality product for the holidays.

Albert Pieri, 90, a key leader from one of the founding families of Ocean Mist Farms, has died.

Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, Calif., is planning a new permission-based social marketing approach to learn more about shoppers' preferences.