Talking about COVID-19 adjustments and the grape outlook, The Packer’s Tom Karst spoke July 6 with John Pandol, director of special projects for Delano, Cali.-based Pandol Bros.
Touching on a variety of topics, Pandol talked about his impressions about consumer packaging in the era of COVID-19.
“Are people buying bags because they see (packaging) as protective or, is it just a real fast way to pick up three to five pounds of apples?” he asked.
Pandol also talked about the challenges that farm workers face in trying to stay clear of the virus. Some of those challenges come living with their families and their children, he said.
As for the outlook for California grapes, Pandol said the normal harvest timing will allow room to market the crop.
While some growers feel the crop is substantially shorter than earlier estimates, Pandol said there will be plenty of grapes to market this season.
Speaking to the current restrictions on travel and in-person meetings, Pandol said that the industry will soon embrace travel and being together at events. Going to virtual events without a badge and a boarding pass doesn’t feel quite right, he joked.
“When Skype came was developed years ago and everyone was, “We are going to have Skype meetings and business travel is going to go down and trade shows go (down),” he said. “That was close to 10 to 15 years ago, and we have more trade shows than ever (before COVID-19).”
Coming together again face-to-face isn’t that far away, Pandol believes.
“ I think fourth quarter, or at the latest the beginning of the year, I think we are back,” he said.
The Packer’s COVID-19 Coverage
