Retailers can capture significant California cherry sales by promoting “pedal to the metal” to the end of the season, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.
Higher wages, water regulations, immigration policies and health care costs are some of the top concerns for California fruit growers, packers and shippers in 2021.
The California Walnut Board is launching its fourth American Heart Month campaign in February, expanding its popular retail marketing program in an effort to encourage consumers to make healthier food choices.
Although USDA's NASS estimated that California’s navel orange crop will be about 42 million 80-pound boxes this season, some grower-shippers estimate that number might be a bit on the heavy side.
Consumers typically turn to citrus to load up on vitamin C during cold and flu season, but this year, suppliers hope they’ll stock up on even more grapefruit, oranges, mandarins and lemons to keep COVID-19 at bay.
Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., seeking the House Committee on Agriculture chairmanship, is committing to making nutrition programs among his top priorities in the 117th Congress.
California walnut growers will soon vote on a measure that would encourage growers to promote their crop, receiving credit from the California Walnut Board for their marketing investments.
A coalition of California farm organizations and water districts has formally asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to appoint Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, as the new chair of the House Agriculture Committee.
Mandarins have been taking market share from navel oranges for several years, grower-shippers say. But they may be helping the overall citrus category, said Casey Creamer.
The Sunripe Freshmarket location in the Hyde Park section of London, Ontario, offers a selection of citrus items year-round, but shoppers seem to prefer product from California, said Randy Jeffery, produce manager.
With added food safety compliance costs of perhaps $1 to $2 per carton, the complications are just beginning for California Salinas Valley romaine shippers and Canadian importers.
The California Table Grape Commission, Fresno, and the Radio Health Journal network have developed a series of messages about the health benefits of eating grapes
Guadalupe, Calif.-based Beachside Produce LLC is bringing full production of Brussels sprouts, celery and broccoli to the market for the holiday season.
As Canada prepared tighter import rules for California leafy greens, the food safety standards group that oversees those crops emphasized steps it’s taken to protect the crops.
Members of the California LGMA, who grow an overwhelming majority of the lettuce and other leafy greens in the state, and 80% of the U.S. lettuce, say they’re capable of quickly tracking recalled products.
As leafy greens growers prepare to move from California’s Central Coast regaion to the desert regions of California and Yuma, Ariz., to start fall/winter production, they’re taking extra precautions.
With “strong and steady” demand, the 2020 California table grape season should be a positive one, said Kathleen Nave, president of the Fresno-based California Table Grape Commission.
Soledad, Calif.-based Braga Fresh Family Farms plans to extend its Josie’s Organics Cut Veg product line by late October with an organic riced cauliflower option, said Heather Fuller, senior sales manager.
Cheríe Watte Angulo, who has been involved in promoting California crops for more than two decades, is the new executive director of the Buy California Marketing Agreement.
Watsonville, Calif.-based Lakeside Organic Gardens LLC has a year-round program of 50 commodities, said Marliese McWherter, creative marketing manager.
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has prompted the California Avocado Commission to shift some elements of its planned advertising and social media campaign to use tactics that reach targeted consumers at home.
ProPacific Fresh, Durham, Calif., has been awarded a $135 million contract by Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support to supply fresh fruits and vegetables.
California’s 2020 avocado harvest is expected to reach nearly 400 million pounds — almost an 85% increase over last year, according to the Irvine-based California Avocado Commission.
Salinas, Calif.-based The Nunes Co., which markets the Foxy and Foxy Organic brands, has transitioned most of its organic crops to Yerington, Nev., for the summer, said sales manager Johnny Amaral.
As California leaf and lettuce grower-shippers adapt to a new way of doing business as a result of COVID-19, the effect of the pandemic on sales has varied.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Dole Food Co., which grows about 80% of its leaf and lettuce items in California at this time of year, has implemented strict COVID-19 safety protocols.
