California
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?
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 produce veteran with over 25 years of organic produce sales experience will lead the company’s sales department.
Former defense Secretary Leon Panetta, chairman of the Panetta Institute of Public Policy, will speak on food security and innovation at the upcoming Salinas Biological Summit on June 20-21, 2023.
Reedley, Calif.-based Fruit World says it is shipping some of the ripest early California cherry varieties.
The Salinas Valley grower-shipper has hired two experienced senior sales account managers — Todd Rainey and Jimmy Garcia — to grow the company’s sales.
Soren Bjorn has been appointed as the next CEO of Driscoll’s, bringing with him 17 years leading programs and initiatives at the California-based global berry marketer.
While greater amounts of rain were welcome in California citrus-growing regions in the past year, the downside has been exterior fruit damage caused by increased thrip populations.
After years of leadership, Don Gann is leaving the California-based fresh produce and floral advocacy organization positioned for its next chapter with a new president at the helm.
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for eight counties as a series of winter storms began impacting much of the state with high winds, damaging rain and heavy snowfall.
More normal harvest timing for California cherries is setting the stage for a successful season, California cherry shippers say.
California Giant Berry Farms is partnering with the California Avocado Commission and the California Walnut Commission for separate giveaways and more touting summer snacking duos that are full of flavor and nutrition.
Taylor Farms was recognized as the winner of the 2024 Mindful Awards’ Overall Food Product of the Year award for its Mini Chopped Salad Kits.
California’s Westside melon deal should get underway by early July, as usual, and growers expect to provide their customers with ample supplies of tasty melons this summer.
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.
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.
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.
From fresh berries to lettuce, what we now know about potential California crop losses from flooding
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.
“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.
The California-based grower-shipper will be showcasing new varieties Autumn King, Great Green, Scarlet Royal, Allison, Sweet Globe, Flame, Ivory, Autumn Royal and Kriss grapes at the West Coast Produce Expo on May 20.
The California walnut industry is gearing up for a stellar 2023 crop, industry leaders report.
Produce veteran Cody Ramsey is bringing his expertise to develop and expand sales at the Salinas, Calif.-based grower.
The FARMS program has introduced careers in ag and environmental sciences to tens of thousands of high school youth, most with no previous access to these opportunities.
A recently published white paper has outlined the economic impact, environmental stewardship, research and community investments by strawberry growers across California.
The commission says the new direction is “focused on the California brand with an emphasis on targeting and investment efficiencies,” which also included the hiring of an in-house marketing manager.
The commission said it had searched for a new consumer marketing agency that could conduct both consumer advertising and consumer public relations activities.
California pear growers are expected to begin harvest in the River growing district July 15 with bartlett and red bartlett being the first varieties to harvest this year.
California is expected have plenty of good-quality tree fruit, melons and other commodities this summer, though some items might get off to a later start than usual, and early volume on others may be off a bit.
As residents awaited federal disaster assistance for flood recovery, the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California led an effort to provide health care and supplies to a small town.