Latest News From California

“Ag Vision for the Next Decade” is making the case that climate action goes hand-in-hand with growth opportunities in the Golden State.

The farmer-owned citrus cooperative is supporting the inaugural April 8 Encore All-Star Games, featuring basketball talent from the Los Angeles region.

There will be some harvest gaps for vegetable crops in the next few weeks but better supply is coming, says Crystal Chavez, marketing coordinator for Gold Coast Packing Inc., Santa Maria, Calif.

The USDA reported total cherry shipments from California’s San Joaquin Valley in 2022 totaled 2,256 truckloads, down 59% from 4,442 truckloads in 2021.

While hoping to inspire others to give generously, the California-based companies have provided funds to local nonprofits that are working to meet thousands of affected residents’ needs.

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Country Sweet Produce’s Bako Sweet label has redesigned its conventional and organic mesh bags as well as its Single Sweet stickers. 

As California’s domestic citrus season reaches its peak, the Fowler, Calif.-based company reports that it will have a good supply of grapefruit, lemons and navel oranges.

Agtech, farm robotics and growers are coming together this April for a traveling ag roadshow that spotlights farm innovations.

The retailer has partnered with the American Red Cross to assist in disaster relief efforts in Southern California.

D'Arrigo’s achievements and contributions will be celebrated at the trade association's 2023 annual meeting in November.

“Farmers in the Salinas Valley were picking up the pieces from January’s flood event when hit by the March storm and subsequent flooding,” said Chris Valadez, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.

Although the industry faces serious challenges such as drought conditions and water restrictions, the Golden State's avocado growers are reporting good quality, increased sizing and healthy yields for the 2022-23 season.

A state appeals court sided with the California State Water Resources Control Board, the California Farm Bureau and others related to the Central Valley’s Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program.

California farmers are facing another round of flooding, with fields still bearing scars from January’s floods. An area known for production of fresh berries and lettuce is expected to now have a larger loss.

Through the partnership, Del Rey Avocado plans to expand the visibility of produce commodities in professional sports leagues, connecting with fans through marketing materials and sampling demonstrations.

“For the farms that were flooded, this catastrophe hit at the worst possible time. Farmers had borrowed money to prepare the fields and were weeks away from beginning to harvest," said CSC's Rick Tomlinson.

Mighty Reds joins Naturipe Farms’ proprietary big blueberries, Mighty Blues, in the company’s line of extra-large berries.

Western Growers and California Farm Bureau are praising California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to lift regulations, allowing floodwater to recharge aquifers during the ongoing weather crisis across the Golden State.

San Francisco-based food technology company GrubMarket has completed the acquisition of Parlier, Calif.-based Custom Produce Sales. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bee Sweet Citrus says now is a great time for store-level marketing for the versatile citrus, whether marketed by itself or used as an cross-marketing tool for other items.

The produce veteran with over 25 years of organic produce sales experience will lead the company's sales department.

Jim Malanca is stepping back this month from his role as vice president of sales and marketing at Firebaugh, Calif.-based Westside Produce.

The California Fresh Fruit Association has applauded a 35% water allocation, which was previously 0%, but is emphasizing the need for storage, management and infrastructure improvement.

The 35th annual farm conference convenes from Feb. 26 to Mar. 6 throughout California, uniting small-scale farmers and ranchers across the state.

The San Joaquin Valley-based organic fresh produce marketing company is moving into the conventional space and building out its berry category with the acquisition.

After two years of research, California’s pesticide road map aims to reduce pesticide inputs in the state by 2050 and has gathered a cross-sector collaboration ready to dig into the work ahead.

Florida’s orange production estimate was knocked down again in the USDA’s February report.

It may have taken a while for stores to see the benefit of making 2-pound clamshells a daily shelf item, but retailers have discovered that the 2-pounder can work as more than just a sale item.

Southern California’s strawberry season got off to a soggy start this year, with nearly 4 inches of rain falling in the Oxnard growing area in January. The rains put a damper on early season picking.

The Irvine, Calif-based avocado commission has forecast 257 million pounds of avocados for the 2022-23 harvest season, a slight decrease from last year’s volume.

The global lab testing company is partnering with the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California to expand technical services and build lab testing facilities to serve the produce industry.

The sudden switch from drought to too much precipitation in parts of California now begs the question: Is the weather changing, and will California start to dig out from three consecutive years of drought?

Leaders from Walmart and One Madison Group will join Plenty’s board of directors. Funds will aid Plenty’s growth, which includes using its technology platform to sell multicrop farms directly to business partners.

Despite California’s weather challenges, the brand doesn't plan on slowing down and is forecasting a historic 2023 season.

From flooding to mudslides, an atmospheric river produced rain that wreaked havoc on agriculture and infrastructure in the state. One of the hardest-hit areas is the Salinas Valley, a large lettuce production area.

The business' founding family members will hold roles at the new Frieda’s LLC and advise the new executive team led by incoming CEO Dan Madsen.

Healthy eating continues to be top-of-mind for shoppers, and Sunkist citrus offerings are in a prime position to meet the demands of consumers, says Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing at Sunkist.

The 4,200,000 square feet of facilities in the Salinas Valley are an average 42 years old and are in desperate need of updates, according to the CEO of Growers Ice, a post-harvest real estate company.

The outlook is good for the California strawberry crop despite statewide storm damage, says the California Strawberry Commission.

As the first COO in the company's 95-year history, Pereira will lead strategic initiatives for the Soledad, Calif.-based fresh producer grower.

Recent rain in California has been fantastic for the long-term interest of growers, said Casey Creamer, president and CEO of California Citrus Mutual.

The strawberry grower-shipper is increasing its presence in Central Mexico the same year that it kicks off its first strawberry season at its Baja, Calif. farm.

Homegrown Organic Farms is inviting YouTube viewers into the field to learn more about four stone fruit growers in the “Grown By” series, launching Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Known for his passion for radicchio and Italian specialties, Marchini leaves behind a fresh produce legacy.

A pair of California-based organizations were recently awarded $1 million to establish a new, federally funded citrus breeding program in Parlier, Calif.

The marketing firm will assist with sales of exhibits, sponsorships, registration and promotions for the conference, set for March 9, 2023.

The table grape grower and marketer predicts significant growth in its Peruvian and Chilean imports in 2023.

Arable partnered with Alpine Pacific Capital to acquire Fresh Innovations in March 2018 and the assets of Farmington Fresh in June 2018.

The Watsonville, Calif.- based producer has enlisted the berry veteran to lead field operations and product supply.

In responding to the 5% initial water allocation from California's Department of Water Resources, the group is urging state leadership to rethink drought strategy.