Latest News From California

Ten days after the start of the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, the blaze still was active and preventing accurate assessments of damage caused to avocado and citrus groves.

Agricultural inputs company Vegalab has purchased Fresno, Calif.-based citrus packer M&G Packing.

More than a week after it began, firefighters reported California’s massive Thomas Fire was only 25% contained the evening of Dec. 12.

Staff writer Ashley Nickle and national editor Tom Karst discuss how the wildfires in California are affecting produce industry members there.

The Packer's AgDay TV talked to citrus industry growers in Florida and California on citrus greening disease.

Ag Against Hunger’s annual “The Produce Express” campaign raised $10,000 for the organization and its programs.

Business updates from companies featured in The Packer's California Winter Desert Vegetables profile.

Fifth-generation California farmer and Thomson International founder Jeff Thomson died Oct. 10 at the age of 69.

The Labor of Love Program made a surprise visit to romaine lettuce harvesters in Soledad, Calif., before its eventual return to Yuma, Ariz.

Aided by more rain and mountain snow pack in California, U.S. vegetable shipments from January through August were up 2% compared with the same period a year ago.

Nogales, Ariz.-based Fresh-Link Produce LLC has hired Adrian Gonzalez as general manager.

Superior Fruit LLC is expanding its California production, entering into an agreement with Eclipse Berry Farms, Los Angeles.

C&S Wholesale Grocers is providing support to victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and to those affected by the California wildfires, according to a news release.

California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, has made data on berry consumers and berry sales an integral part of its trade website rebuild.

Delano, Calif.-based Wonderful Citrus says it has taken a giant step forward with its recent acquisition of a major Florida grower-shipper.

Before returning to Yuma, Ariz., Labor of Love is visiting more farmworkers in California’s Salinas Valley to thank them for their work.

Gabe Patin, a former seed industry executive, has received the Award of Distinction by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California-Davis.

Mulholland Citrus, an Orange Cove, Calif.-based citrus grower shipper of primarily mandarins, is joining the Sunkist Growers Inc. cooperative.

A lighter lemon crop is expected this year out of California and Arizona, according to growers and industry officials.

Produce suppliers and retailers have been stepping up to help feed firefighters and victims of a series of wildfires that have ravaged Northern California’s wine country.

California is forecasting 70 million cartons of navel oranges in 2017-18, of which 68 million will come out of the Central Valley, according to the latest estimate from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

An episode of TV’s "Washington Grown" series featuring Washington apples is scheduled to air this weekend.

Produce sales in California bounced back during the second quarter of 2017 following several sluggish quarters, according to the FPFC Market Report compiled by Fusion Marketing.

Still raging wildfires in northern California have killed 24, injured at least 180 and destroyed 3,500 homes and businesses, officials said Oct. 12.

Loree Dowse, foodservice marketing manager for Salinas, Calif.-based Mann Packing, was inducted into Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s Monterey Bay chapter, according to a news release.

As in many regions of the U.S., the Northern California retail scene, which has seen gradual changes over the years, could be on the verge of another shakeup.

CERRITOS, Calif. — For those who fear that the retail industry may be dying, Steven Muro had some somewhat reassuring words.

Labor of Love is heading to California’s Salinas Valley to thank farm workers for their service as harvesting comes to a close.

The San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market is in the early stages of its latest expansion program, while the Golden Gate Produce Terminal in South San Francisco has begun producing electricity through its solar project.

Produce sales in the Northern California market seem to vary by commodity and by company this fall.

The USDA estimates the 2017 U.S. grape crop — for fresh and processed — at 15 billion pounds, which is only slightly lower than last year’s total, but still the lowest production in the past five years.

The International Economic Development Council honored the city of Salinas, Calif., with a Gold Excellence in Ecomonic Development award during its annual conference Sept. 19 in Ontario, Canada.

Justin Parnagian and Leland Parnagian have been appointed as Fowler, Calif.-based Fowler Packing’s CEO and president, respectively.

California date grower-shippers say the 2017-18 crop is shaping up to be a fine one.

Dole Food Co. continues to downsize its berry operations in California, with another 402 people to be let go Oct. 28.

Workers went on strike June 5 at Salinas, Calif.-based Taylor Farms.

Organic grapes, berries and even some cherries are becoming increasingly popular summertime favorites.

It was too early to predict in late January exactly when California's 2017 asparagus crop will kick off, but when it does, probably in early to mid-March, growers anticipate good volume and good quality.