Search - The Packer

Duty-free access to the U.S. market is one factor in rising production and exports of South African citrus, according to a new report.

The Packer’s Tom Karst visited March 25 with Christopher Valdez, president, and Abby Taylor-Silva, vice president of policy and communications, for the Salinas-based Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.

It’s hard to say what, if any, impact COVID-19 will have on sales of organic vegetables, but growers in California’s Salinas Valley tend to remain optimistic.

Tabletop strawberry production under high tunnels is being attempted on a limited scale in California’s Santa Maria growing district.

Plentiful rain over the winter quenched thirsty fields across California, but will delay fruit and vegetable supplies out of Santa Maria during the spring season.

Frequent rainfall and above-normal amounts in California’s key Salinas growing area will likely lower production volumes of spring vegetables this season and delay supplies.

Growers Express, which sells cut vegetables under the Green Giant Fresh brand and has seen demand rise “significantly” over the past year for its Veggie Meal Bowls and its Fresh brand Little Gems lettuce hearts.

Summer Citrus from South Africa continues its successful consumer targeted promotions this season, while importers find their own marketing methods.

Read a few quick updates on companies growing and marketing fresh produce from California’s Salinas Valley, including new hires, new products and crop updates.

Continuing a holiday tradition that started in 1982, Dave Haun was on hand at the Salvation Army in Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 12, watching as a full load of potatoes were moved from a semi tractor-trailer.