Organic Citrus

Why One California Farmer is Betting Big on Algae for Fertility

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:44:35 GMT

Rows of citrus trees stretch across the landscape under the California sun, their canopies forming neat green corridors between irrigation lines and tractor paths. Some trees are newly trimmed, others older and thicker from years of growth. It’s the kind of orchard scene that has long defined agriculture in this part of the state, where permanent crops dominate the landscape and generations of farmers have worked to coax productivity from difficult soils and an increasingly unpredictable water supply.

For fifth-generation farmer Justin Wylie , these groves are more than just another orchard to manage. They represent an opportunity to rethink how soil works on his farm and whether biology — specifically algae — can play a larger role in the future of California agriculture.

Wylie and his family farm roughly 4,000 acres across California’s Central Valley. Some of that land has been in the family for generations, while other acres are leased. Like many farms in the region, the operation produces permanent crops such as pistachios and citrus, commodities that require long-term planning and careful soil management.

“This is a long-term lease with an investment company partner,” Wylie says. “And we just entered into that lease last year. It’s a 15-year lease with a five-year extension.”

One of the ranches he’s currently working to improve came through a recent leasing agreement that gives the family time to invest in the land and experiment with new approaches. That time horizon matters. With permanent crops like oranges, orchard decisions can affect productivity for decades. The trees must be pruned, fertilized and irrigated carefully year after year, and the soil beneath them has to remain functional through increasingly hot and dry growing seasons.

When Wylie’s team first took over the ranch, some improvements were necessary before any new ideas could be tested.

“We were really lucky on this ranch,” Wylie says. “The previous guys, they did let some of the trees get overgrown, so we did have to come in and push a hedge and top and resize those trees.”

While the orchard needed structural work above ground, Wylie says the bigger opportunity lies beneath the surface. The ranch is now part of a broader effort on the farm to transition a portion of the acres toward organic and regenerative systems.

“For the majority of the ranch, as far as fertility, the soils, the condition of the ranch,” he says, “I think the big thing with this ranch is transitioning from a conventional model to an organic regenerative, which is part of our commitment in the lease. It’s part of the model of the lease here — that we transition the ranch from conventional to certified organic and regenerative.”

The transition is happening gradually. Wylie says roughly 25% of the farm’s acres are currently part of that shift, allowing the family to experiment with new soil-building practices without risking the entire operation.

But the push to explore regenerative systems didn’t begin with markets or policy. It started with a deeply personal experience.

A Personal Connection to Soil Health

Wylie says his interest in soil biology and regenerative farming took shape nearly a decade ago, around 2015 or 2016. At the time, his family was dealing with a serious health challenge involving his young son.

The experience pushed him to start researching nutrition, gut health and the human microbiome — topics that would eventually reshape how he thought about farming.

“[My son] was sick as a kid, and so we were doing everything we could to heal him,” Wylie says. “His gut ended up in the hospital a few times with an autism diagnosis.”

Doctors and therapists offered guidance, but the recommendations didn’t sit well with Wylie.

“And then at the time, the doctors and the therapist told us basically, ‘Practice acceptance,’” he says.

Instead, Wylie started searching for more information about gut health and what researchers were learning about the microbiome. Over time, he began seeing parallels between the human digestive system and the biological activity that happens in healthy soils.

“They started figuring out that autistic kids had very weak gut microbiomes,” Wylie says. “And so when you make that connection as a farmer and you start saying, ‘What are all the things I can do at home to not stress that?’”

That question eventually carried over into his work in the field. The farm’s first experiment with regenerative practices was modest.

“We started on 40 acres of pistachios, playing around with it,” he says. “What can we do here growing in a different system?”

At the same time, the regenerative agriculture movement was gaining momentum online, making it easier for farmers to explore new ideas.

“At the time, there were quite a few regenerative agronomists out there releasing podcasts and YouTube videos,” Wylie says. “So the information was there. It was never on my radar before. But once you join that community and industry, it’s pretty interesting.”

Building on What Came Before

Even as Wylie explores new biological tools, he says the farm’s current practices still build heavily on the work done by previous generations.

His father’s generation invested heavily in agronomy research and orchard management strategies, developing systems that helped the farm stay productive in California’s demanding growing environment. From pruning methods to fertilizer programs, many of those lessons still guide how the farm operates today.

Rather than abandoning those systems, Wylie says his goal is to refine them.

“It’s really a tweak,” he says. “In my mind it’s a slight change in the method, not a complete start over.”

The farm continues to rely on the knowledge accumulated through decades of conventional farming, while gradually introducing new practices aimed at improving soil biology.

“We’re just trying to make tweaks to the system that we’re already operating in on the other ranches to see if we can do this a different way,” Wylie says.

One of the biggest challenges in that transition is managing fertility.

California orchards have historically relied on precise fertilizer programs to keep trees productive. But moving toward organic or regenerative inputs can create a different nutrient dynamic, especially during the early years of transition.

Wylie says growers sometimes underestimate how sensitive orchards can be during that shift.

Managing the Transition Carefully

According to Wylie, one of the most common mistakes farmers make when transitioning to regenerative systems is reducing fertilizer too quickly.

He says orchards that have spent decades under conventional management are accustomed to intensive nutrient programs, and abruptly changing that system can cause yields to fall sharply.

On some ranches where regenerative practices have been in place for several years, Wylie says the difference in soil structure is already noticeable.

“There’s other ranches we’ve been farming regenerative for five years,” he says. “You can stick your hand in the soil and get your fingers down right there on the berms next to the trees — it’s chocolate cake.”

But he warns farmers shouldn’t assume that kind of soil health will appear immediately after switching systems.

“Until that day, do not pull back,” Wylie says.

He says the biggest mistake happens when growers assume they can immediately match their old fertility programs using organic inputs.

“That’s the mistake that growers make,” he says. “They think I’m going organic regenerative, I can match dollar for dollar, I can do the same thing I was doing conventionally.”

Instead, Wylie says the transition often produces what he calls a “J-curve.”

“You’re going to see that J-curve,” he says. “I mean, it’s going to tank.”

To avoid that, his farm relies heavily on testing.

“We pull a lot of sap samples, multiple tissues and soils per year,” Wylie says. “Kind of watching our fertility and making sure these trees are fed.”

He says growers must remember trees grown in conventional systems are used to consistent nutrient availability.

“The soil has been farmed a certain way,” he says. “These trees are used to being fed intensively in that conventional system.”

And organic fertilizers don’t always behave the same way.

“The organic fertilizers just don’t work as well,” Wylie says. “So you have to be careful.”

Introducing Algae Into the System

As Wylie searched for ways to accelerate soil improvement, one newer tool caught his attention: microalgae.

The technology comes from soil health company MyLand, which produces living algae on farms and distributes it through irrigation systems.

“We’re probably in our fourth or fifth season,” Wylie says.

The idea behind the system is relatively simple. Rather than applying microbes directly to the soil, the system produces algae that help stimulate microbial activity already present in the soil ecosystem.

Jeff Tuel says the technology centers around specialized tanks designed to grow algae on the farm itself.

“We call these APVs, algae producing vessels,” Tuel says. “And essentially, the sole purpose is to grow algae here.”

Water from the farm is stored inside the vessels, where conditions are controlled to encourage rapid algae growth.

“So for all intents and purposes, this is kind of like the algae producing container,” Tuel says.

From there, the algae are delivered through irrigation systems already used on the farm.

“And we try to keep that holding tank to a level where if the irrigator is irrigating a 12-hour set, 24, 36,” Tuel says. “Our main objective is for them to never run dry of algae.”

Production is adjusted to match the grower’s irrigation schedule.

“We harvest according to the grower’s irrigation schedule,” he says.

Another important step happens before the system is even installed. MyLand scientists collect algae samples from the farm itself, identifying native strains that are already adapted to the environment.

“The reason native is important is because it’s used to the pH, it’s used to the droughts, the floods, everything Mother Nature’s thrown at it,” Tuel says.

Because those organisms already exist in the local ecosystem, they are more likely to survive once applied to the soil.

“Its odds of surviving and actually making an impact in that ecosystem are far greater,” he says.

Microalgae also sits at the base of the soil’s microbial food web.

“Microalgae is actually the base of the microbial food chain,” Tuel says. “All the bugs and beneficials in the soil are feeding off of it.”

Rather than introducing microbes, the strategy is to stimulate the microbes already present.

“I like to say instead of a bug-and-a-jug approach, we are ringing the dinner bell for the microbes,” Tuel says. “It’s kind of an all-you-can-eat buffet for microbes to get them moving and active.”

Tackling Difficult Soils

For Wylie, improving soil biology could help solve one of the Central Valley’s most persistent challenges: poor soil structure.

Many orchard soils in the region contain very low levels of organic matter, which limits their ability to hold water and maintain structure through the growing season.

“We have about 0.5% soil organic matter,” Wylie says. “Our water holding capacity is very low.”

That lack of organic matter can cause irrigation problems later in the summer.

“A lot of times these soils as we’re irrigating during the season will lock up,” he says.

Early in the season, irrigation water infiltrates the soil fairly easily.

“You start with very good water infiltration in April, May, June,” Wylie says.

But conditions change as the summer progresses.

“By the time you get to July, August, when you really need it, it’s very difficult to push water down in the soil,” he says.

For farmers trying to manage water carefully in California’s dry climate, that creates a major challenge.

“These soils are not very functional for us as farmers,” Wylie says.

Tuel says stimulating microbial activity can gradually improve those conditions.

“When you get those microbes to start moving and firing, you’re going to start to build soil aggregate,” he says.

Better aggregation can help water move through the soil while also improving nutrient availability.

“If it’s a high-salt ground, we can start to leach out some of those salts,” Tuel says.

Algae may also influence soil chemistry.

“Algae is also going to help regulate the pH in the soil so we can start to free up some locked-up nutrients,” he says.

Thinking Long-Term

While installing an on-farm algae system requires investment, Wylie says he sees it as part of a long-term strategy for improving soil performance.

“In a biological system like MyLand, it’s about the same cost as a soil amendment program out here, depending on how much acreage you’re using,” Wylie says.

The difference is the system focuses on building biological activity rather than simply adding nutrients.

“But it’s a long-term solution,” he says. “It’s not going to work overnight.”

Instead, the goal is to strengthen the soil’s microbiome so it can better buffer environmental stresses.

“It’s actually creating a buffer by just supercharging the microbiome that’s in the soil,” Wylie says.

That biological activity may help address several common soil issues in California orchards.

“Everything feeds on it,” he says. “It’s overcoming high salt, high chlorides.”

Even trace mineral challenges may improve over time.

“In some cases in California, we have very high boron in some areas,” Wylie says.

He believes increased biological activity may help mitigate those problems faster than traditional soil-building methods alone.

“Microalgae being put into the system can actually overcome those salts that might take 10 or 15 years of compost and cover crops,” he says. “You can accomplish in a few years by using MyLand.”

The Pressure on California Farmers

The search for new tools is happening at a time when farming in California is becoming increasingly expensive.

Data from USDA shows the state continues to rank as the most expensive place in the country to grow crops, driven by high labor, energy and input costs.

Those economic pressures are compounded by growing regulatory expectations.

Wylie believes California farmers are already facing some of the strictest scrutiny in global agriculture.

“I think the state’s already looking at it very closely,” he says. “I think they’re going to put more pressure on farmers in California.”

Compared with other agricultural regions, he says California producers are operating under unique constraints.

“Other than the European Union, there is no one in the world that’s under as much pressure as a California farmer to change the way we do things,” Wylie says.

Because of that, he believes farmers must take the lead in finding workable solutions.

“We need to figure this out,” he says. “And I want to figure it out before the government gets involved and tries to tell me how to do it.”

Government incentive programs exist, but Wylie believes the real challenge is making soil health practices economically viable.

“They can offer me some incentives,” he says. “We have healthy soils out here. They give you a little compost and cover crop seed.”

Ultimately, though, growers need systems that work on their own.

“We need to figure this out and we need to make it economical and profitable before the state comes in,” Wylie says.

Because once regulations remove certain tools, farmers may have little room to adapt.

“Now you’re forced to figure it out with your back against the wall,” he says. “We don’t want that.”

For Wylie, the answer may lie beneath the soil surface where billions of microbes, fueled by algae, could quietly reshape how California farms grow their crops. And by doing so now, Wylie hopes he’s able to find ways to continue to grow productive crops in California, despite increased regulations.

More Orange County Acres added to California's HLB Quarantine

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 23:17:30 GMT

The California Department of Food and Agriculture expanded the state’s huanglongbing, HLB, or citrus greening quarantine boundary in the San Juan Capistrano area of Orange County.

The new areas are found in grids 483 and 484 of the quarantine map.

CDFA says this boundary expansion also includes the agency’s Asian Citrus Psyllid Bulk Citrus Regional Quarantine Zone 6 to reflect the new quarantine boundary.

This expansion follows additional acres in the past few months:

For specific changes to the quarantined areas in California, visit the APHIS Citrus Greening web page .

DiSilva Fruit Predicts Exciting California Citrus Season

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 20:56:04 GMT

DiSilva Fruit, together with its Bright Bounty brand, says it is gearing up for another California citrus season, with both its organic and conventional programs set to begin in early November.

This season, Bright Bounty will highlight a range of specialty citrus varieties — including stem and leaf satsumas, cara cara navels, blood oranges, meyer lemons and melo gold grapefruit — alongside its core orange, mandarin and lemon programs.

Early reports from California growers and favorable growing conditions throughout the summer suggest a good crop, the company says. With harvests set to late October, DiSilva Fruit says it is optimistic about supply outlooks across all the citrus categories.

“We’re really looking forward to another strong California citrus season,” says Alden Guptill, sales manager at DiSilva Fruit. “Every year we see continued enthusiasm for specialty citrus, and we’re proud to bring that excitement to our customers through the Bright Bounty label. Whether organic or conventional, the focus remains on consistent quality and a great eating experience.”

Nelly Czajkowski, sales and organic category manager at DiSilva Fruit, adds, “Consumers continue to seek out fresh, vibrant citrus options, especially items that offer something unique — like the flavor profile of a cara cara or the color of a blood orange. Our Bright Bounty program is built around that sense of discovery and freshness. We’re also excited to support our retail partners with new display bins and point-of-sale materials that help tell the story at shelf.”

Creekside Organics Debuts Certified Organic Mandarins

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 21:03:16 GMT

Grower-shipper Creekside Organics says this year’s citrus season begins with an earlier start date. The company will also offer its organic-certified Dulce mandarins, sold under its Fruit World label.

The Dulce mandarins, developed by co-CEO Bianca Kaprielian’s father, will harvest right before clementines. The company says the Dulce mandarins completed a three-year transition to organic, which allows Creekside Organic to bring them to market for the first time as certified organic.

“This variety is really special to us — sweet, tangy, and the first organic mandarin of the season,” says Kaprielian. “It’s a true celebration of what makes citrus season so exciting.”

Organic California lemons kicked off the citrus season in the D3 growing region. Creekside Organic says this year’s harvest is about four weeks ahead of last year. Creekside says its expanded acreage of organic lemons helps ensure a year-round supply for retailers.

“Shoppers rely on lemons, so they are a great way to drive repeat sales,” says co-CEO Brenda Haught.

Organic grapefruit and sweet limes begin this week. Organic navels look to an early November harvest, and cara cara oranges will begin in December.

Creekside Organics says its cara cara production expands by three blocks that obtained organic certification. The company says this gives retailers more opportunity to promote the consumer favorite thanks to its bright color and sweet-tangy flavor.

Creekside says it has also increased its volume on kumquats, minneolas and blood oranges.

Creekside says the Reedley, Calif., packing facility is now leased by Cobblestone Fruit and will strengthen its relationship with Cobblestone Fruit. It says the move supports the consistency and capacity of its citrus programs and that it also will not change Fruit World packs.

New Packaging Concept Celebrates California Citrus

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:13:11 GMT

DiSilva Fruit is introducing its new packaging concept for Bright Bounty.

Designed to capture shopper attention while highlighting the brand’s values of quality, community and sustainability, the new packaging delivers a fresh identity that stands out in the produce aisle, according to the company.

DiSilva Fruit says Bright Bounty’s packaging features bold, colorful designs that mirror the energy and flavor of peak-season California citrus. The line offers both organic and conventional options, providing retailers and consumers flexible, high-quality selections throughout the season, the company says.

DiSilva Fruit says it is excited for the season ahead and anticipates another great year of California citrus. Bright Bounty’s partnerships with trusted growers ensure consistent quality and availability, helping retailers deliver the best-tasting citrus to customers, the company says.

“Bright Bounty’s new packaging concept is as vibrant as the fruits we bring to families,” says Alden Guptill, sales manager for DiSilva Fruit. “With this launch coinciding with the start of the California citrus season, we’re making it easier than ever for shoppers to see, trust and enjoy produce that’s Abundantly Fresh.”

Bright Bounty says its citrus is carefully selected to preserve freshness and flavor. To support retailers, merchandising display bins and POS marketing materials will be available, helping the brand stand out on store shelves, maximize shopper engagement and enjoyment, the company says.

Homegrown Organic Farms Expands with Buena Vista Packing Partnership

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:18:46 GMT

Homegrown Organic Farms announced Sept. 9 the growth of its organic citrus program by partnering with Buena Vista Packing in Kern County, Calif. The company called the partnership a strategic alliance, saying it allows Homegrown to expand capacity and better serve customers through an additional loading location in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

Through this new partnership, Homegrown Organic Farms will handle organic citrus from Buena Vista’s farms, representing a 20% increase in program volume. The added supply also introduces the Daisy mandarin to the program, the company says.

“This collaboration with Buena Vista Packing is about more than just growth, it’s about creating alignment with like-minded partners who share our values and vision for organics,” says Scott Mabs, CEO of Homegrown Organic Farms, in a news release. “Together, we’re able to expand our citrus program and continue delivering the highest quality organic fruit to our customers.”

Craig Morris, citrus and grape category director at Homegrown Organic Farms, adds: “The additional fruit from Buena Vista enhances our program in exciting ways. It gives us another varietal to offer, stronger continuity of supply and the ability to better serve our retail and foodservice partners with consistency and reliability.”

“We know this partnership will have a meaningful impact on our business, our growers and our customers, and we’re excited about the opportunities it creates moving forward,” Mabs adds.

Alongside this new facility partnership in Bakersfield, Homegrown Organic Farms will continue operating from its Kingsburg cold storage and Riverside loading facilities.

Organically Grown Co. secures legacy citrus supply

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:10:00 GMT

Organically Grown Co. , a marketer and distributor of certified organic produce, says it has acquired Johansen Ranch, a historic family farm in Orland, Calif.

The company said the acquisition reflects its mission to protect organic farmland, support sustainable farming practices and secure a supply of premium organic citrus for generations to come.

“The Johansen Ranch acquisition underscores our commitment to organic agriculture and our growers,” said Organically Grown Co. CEO Brenna Davis said in a news release. “We’re proud to preserve this incredible farm, maintain the integrity of its operations, and ensure a seamless transition that benefits our customers and the organic community. This is more than a business decision — it’s a reflection of our values.”

In early 2024, farm owner Rich Johansen approached Organically Grown Co. with a proposition, the release said. With retirement on the horizon, he sought a partner that would uphold the farm’s legacy of sustainable farming and high-quality organic produce, the company said.

“OGC was the natural choice,” Johansen said. “I’ve worked with them for decades, and I trust their commitment to preserving our land and our values.”

Johansen Ranch, established in 1910 and located in the northernmost citrus-growing region in North America, is known for producing premium organic satsuma and clementine mandarins and other citrus varieties. For more than 40 years, Johansen Ranch has supplied its harvest to Organically Grown Co. for distribution throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Johansen is well known in organic farming, with a history rooted in sustainable practices, the release said. With this acquisition, Organically Grown Co. said it will ensure that Johansen Ranch remains a vital part of its citrus program and Johansen’s current California-based customers continue to have access to the premium citrus.

Organically Grown Co. said customers can expect the same exceptional fruit and service they’ve come to rely on.

“At OGC, we believe protecting farmland and supporting the next generation of organic agriculture is essential to the future of food,” Davis said. “This partnership with Johansen Ranch honors Rich’s incredible legacy while ensuring that the farm continues to thrive and provide high-quality organic citrus to our customers. It’s an investment in the land, the people and the organic movement.”

Creekside Organics expands Fruit World’s citrus selection

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:43:55 GMT

Creekside Organics says an expanded offering from Fruit World Co. will allow retailers to create a well-rounded citrus category that meets growing consumer demand and to build dynamic, eye-catching citrus destinations in-store.

Following its recent 50/50 merger with Creekside Organics, Fruit World has expanded its organic citrus selection to include heirloom navel oranges, Gold Nugget mandarins, kumquats and transitional blood and cara cara oranges. Retailers can also stock conventional Gold Nugget mandarins, bald and stem-and-leaf Tango mandarins and a full lineup of organic Tango mandarins, minneolas, blood oranges, lemons and mandarinquats.

“Retailers can count on expanded oﬀerings, seamless ordering and a dedicated team to support their citrus needs,” Creekside Organics co-CEO Bianca Kaprielian said in a news release. “Plus, we’re now able to oﬀer our customers even more — including our incredible organic vegetable program and a wider selection of organic fruit.”

Consumer demand for fresh, organic produce continues to rise, particularly among millennials and Generation Z shoppers prioritizing health, sustainability and transparency in their food choices, the company said.

Fruit World’s packaging highlights its mission to keep family farms thriving and directs shoppers to Deliciously Diﬀerent, a platform that shares the company’s values-driven approach to farming and sustainability. Additionally, with Equitable Food Initiative-certified products, Fruit World provides an added layer of social responsibility and accountability — helping consumers feel good about the companies and people behind their purchases, the release said.

Fruit World encourages retailers to take advantage of peak citrus season by showcasing a vibrant, diverse selection that aligns with today’s health-conscious consumers and drives excitement in the produce aisle.

Homegrown Organic adds sales account managers

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:39:14 GMT

Homegrown Organic Farms , Porterville, Calif., has promoted Amanda Vietti and hired Stefaun Avakian as sales account managers.

Vietti joined the company late last year as a marketing specialist, and before that was a sales associate at Flavor Tree Fruit Co. LLC. She has also been an order management analyst at Robinson Fresh and sales executive at AMC North America, managing fruit inventories.

Avakian most recently was a produce buyer for Imperfect Foods. Before that, he was a sales and logistics coordinator at Trinity Fruit Co. He has also been an assistant buyer intern for Kroger.

Craig Morris, citrus and grape category director, said in the release that as the company grows, it continues to add talented men and women to its staff.

“Both individuals are dynamic and possess solid skills and industry experience and are poised to serve our customers and growers well,” Morris said in the release.

Vietti and Avakian will help to prepare the company for the upcoming organic grape and citrus seasons and future growth of the company, according to the release.

Related stories:

Homegrown Organic imports Chilean blueberries

Homegrown Organic obtains EFI certification for stone fruit

Homegrown Organic rebrand includes new logo and packaging

Immunity, boxes and ports: COVID-19 news roundup

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:07:48 GMT

From highlighting the immunity-boosting properties of fresh citrus to taking an in-depth look at how the pandemic is affecting different sectors of the industry, companies continue to respond during the crisis.

Recent news items on the COVID-19 include the following items.

Bee Sweet Citrus

Bee Sweet Citrus , Fowler, Calif., has a month-long campaign focusing on citrus being a source of vitamin C and the fruit’s role in boosting immunity.

You, Me and Vitamin C is a strategic campaign in July, with consumer interest boosting the profile of citrus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the month, Bee Sweet will tailor its social media to promote the benefits of vitamin C, and ways consumers can supplement their immune system with citrus fruits, according to a news release.

“Our goal is to equip our audience with the knowledge they need to make healthy food choices, as well as promote the benefits of incorporating citrus fruits into their diet,” Monique Bienvenue, the company’s director of communications, said in the release.

Bee Sweet’s digital platforms will include variety-specific recipes, infographics and contests. As a Produce for Kids partner, Bee Sweet recipes and information will be a part the charity’s July 9 Twitter party, with a focus on health during the pandemic.

“When our marketing team initially spoke about the elements of this campaign, we knew that we wanted it to have something for everyone,” Bienvenue said in the release. “Whether you’re a parent looking for fun and creative ways to pass the time, or you’re a foodie interested in learning what makes citrus so special – we’ve designed this campaign with everyone in mind.”

DiMare Fresh

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded DiMare Fresh a second contract through the Farmers to Families Food Box Program.

The company has packed and delivered more than 1.43 million boxes with 27.25 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to more than 225 nonprofit organizations, according to a news release. The USDA approved a $24.36 million contract for DiMare through the program in May.

“Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the need for food assistance has increased drastically and the Houston Food Bank has ramped up its distribution significantly,” Brian Greene, president and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, said in a news release. “As we work to provide a steady flow of nutritious, healthy food to our communities, this support from DiMare Fresh is absolutely crucial.”

The first wave of food box contracts, which were announced May 8, ran through the end of June. New contracts cover July 1 to Aug. 31.

“As a family-owned business that’s over 90-years-old, and as farmers ourselves — we are appreciative to be involved with the USDA and this very worthy, and much needed, Farmers to Families Food Box Program,” Tony DiMare, an owner of the company, said in the release. “We would like to thank our suppliers in the farming and shipping communities, as well as our people who have stayed committed and have been working non-stop since day one delivering the boxes.

The Food Institute

The Food Institute is hosting a web seminar on how COVID-19 has affected the produce industry.

The hour-long seminar, which starts at 2 p.m. Eastern July 13, is called “What’s Happening in Produce — Latest Trends Impacting Consumers, Retail vs. Foodservice and the Supply Chain,” and features Produce Marketing Association CEO Cathy Burns and Anne-Marie Roerink, principal at 210 Analytics.

Registration for the web seminar is online. A link to slides from the presentation and a recording of the seminar will be available following the event, according to a news release.

Issues to be covered during the seminar include:

Where to find up-to-date information on buying patterns of fresh produce during the crisis;
Benefits of a deep-dive into current spending data for retail and foodservice; and
How the crisis has affected the overall fresh produce industry.

FreshDirect

FreshDirect , Bronx, N.Y., has raised $1 million in donations for NY Common Pantry in less than five months.

In February, FreshDirect enabled customers to contribute to the food pantry through point-of-sale donations ranging from $1.25 (the cost of one pantry meal) to $100 at FreshDirect.com , according to a news release.

When pantry volunteers were no longer available due to the COVID-19 crisis, FreshDirect turned over part of its operation to sourcing, packing and delivering food to the NY Common Pantry facilities.

“We partnered with NY Common Pantry to introduce our customers to the organization’s great work through onsite content and the opportunity to donate. But the COVID pandemic revealed another level of food insecurity, as well as challenges getting food into the hands of those in need,” FreshDirect CEO David McInerney said in the release. “The response from FreshDirect customers and our own employees has been nothing short of remarkable.”

Through the partnership, NY Common Pantry expects to serve more than 1 million meals to its Choice Pantry members in 2020.

Port of Heuneme

The Port of Hueneme (Calif.), with partners Del Monte Fresh Produce and other groups, have hosted 20 food distribution events across Ventura County recently.

The community events are part of the Feeding the Frontline: Feeding our Farmworkers campaign to help feed field workers and others deemed essential workers in the fresh produce industry. Other groups with similar events include the City of Hueneme, Clinica Del Campo Real and Lujan Transport Inc. The latest event was June 27 at Orvene S. Carpenter Community Center in Port Heuneme.

“Our work does not stop at the docks,” Oxnard Harbor District President Jess Ramirez said in a news release. “It actually continues to impact the community as soon as our customers receive the goods that they are also contributing, to maintain our community food distributions to particularly those directly affected by the pandemic.”

During the events, more than 10,000 families have been served, with bananas , strawberries and other produce part of the giveaways, according to the release. The port’s Banana Festival, usually in September, is being substituted for COVID-19 relief efforts, according to the release, with the agreement of the Oxnard Harbor District Commissioners, according to the release.

The port moves $9.5 billion in goods a year, according to the release, ranking as a top 10 U.S. port year after year for fruits and vegetables.

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland (Calif.) is curtailing Fiscal Year 2021 spending plans because of the COVID-19 crisis, with a 16% drop due to a decline in cargo and air traffic.

Port commissioners recently approved the FY 2021 plan, with a projected $432.5 million in operating and capital expenditures, a drop from the previous year’s budget of $513.6 million, according to a news release. The new fiscal year starts July 1.

The budget is based on “best estimates of how our business may recover, assuming that our communities and country make slow but steady progress in containing the COVID-19 virus,” Danny Wan, Port of Oakland executive director, said in the release.

The Oakland Airport is part of the port system, and with passenger volume off from 80% to 96%, it could take up to three years for an aviation sector recovery.

The 2021 budget includes $19.1 million of federal coronavirus relief funding, and an additional $25.5 million will be used in 2022 and 2023, according to the release.

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DiSilva Fruit, Morning Kiss Organic offer California citrus

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:35:09 GMT

DiSilva Fruit and Morning Kiss Organic are ready to deliver delicious, vitamin-packed organic and conventional citrus for the coming citrus season.

DiSilva Fruit and Morning Kiss Organic have seen tremendous growth in specialty and organic citrus over the last 5 years. Citrus is one of the leading categories of all organic purchases, and with additional demand noted as consumers aim to buy healthy foods during the current health crisis Morning Kiss Organic anticipates another strong season.

“Our organic citrus program gives consumers what they want – healthy, delicious fruit full of vitamin C and packaged to ensure it is being minimally handled,” says Nelly Czajkowski, Sales Manager at Morning Kiss Organic. “We’re looking forward to another successful California season.”

DiSilva Fruit will again offer packaged citrus in a range of customizable sizes and formats. Offerings will include California Navels , Cara-Cara Navels, Mandarins , lemons , Limes , and Heirloom Navels.

“Since the start of the pandemic we have seen an overwhelming demand for packaged citrus. Consumers are seeking vitamin C with value and convenience,” says Alden Guptill, Sales Manager at DiSilva Fruit. “And packaged citrus is a perfect complement for the rapidly expanding home delivery and curbside offerings that retailers have greatly expanded in the last few months.”

Employing just-in-time inventory management, citrus is freshly packed to order, in customizable packaging reducing loss to spoilage at retail, and therefore protecting the retailer’s bottom line. Produce is delivered daily to ensure the highest quality, and best tasting selection available.

To discuss how DiSilva Fruit and Morning Kiss Organic can help grow your citrus category and meet increased consumer demand for citrus, reach out to Alden Guptill or Nelly Czajkowski at plant@disilvafruit.com or 617-884-9033.

Organic volume from West Mexico grows

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:18:40 GMT

West Mexico provides a large amount of the fruits and vegetables consumed in the U.S. each winter, and that includes an ever-expanding selection of organic produce.

Fresh Farms , Rio Rico, Ariz., continues to see increased sales for its organic items, said salesman Al Voll.

Fresh Farms offers organic green beans, zucchini squash, yellow squash, table grapes and cucumbers with more commodities to be added in the future, he said.

“We started in the organic category a few years ago and continue to see steady growth with continued healthy eating trends and better competitive pricing,” Voll said.

The company also is doing more program sales for its organic as well as conventional produce, setting long-term, contract prices rather than charging daily market prices.

“We’re getting away from the day-to-day spot markets because it’s just such a battle,” he said.

The Oppenheimer Group , Vancouver, British Columbia, will heavily promote red, orange and yellow sweet bell peppers from West Mexico in bulk and in value-added packs this winter along with mini sweet peppers — all in conventional and organic versions, said Aaron Quon, executive category director of greenhouse.

The program started in August and ramps up in January, he said.

“We are very excited that fruit quality at the start of the season has been excellent,” he said late last year.

Rio Rico-based IPR Fresh ships organic colored bell peppers under the Organic Republic label year-round, said Jose Luis Obregon, president.

The program has been around for three seasons and has been “consistently increasing over the years.”

Growing organically is more complicated than growing conventionally, but the company’s grower “has it well tied down on organic production” and sometimes is able to get yields that rival those of conventional products, Obregon said.

Demand for organic produce is on the rise and has spilled over from organically oriented supermarkets to conventional stores, he added.
It looks like a good season for organic citrus from Rio Rico-based Patagonia Orchards LLC , said Delilah Romo, sales and purchasing manager.

The company kicked off its early valencia oranges and grapefruit in the fall then headed into its dancy mandarin program, which it markets as Sonoran Sweets.

True valencias should kick off by February.

“We’re expecting good volume; it was a good growing year,” Romo said.

“Everything looks really, really healthy.”

The company now has two growers instead of one and expects to double its acreage this season.

“Year after year, we see more and more demand,” Romo said.

“We definitely see a spike in sales in January,” she added, as consumers resolve to eat healthier during the new year.

Owner Philip Ostrom also touted Patagonia’s young organic coconuts, which are “corked and ready to enjoy as a beverage out of Mexico.”

They should be available in late spring.

Most of the company’s products are sold to customers on the West Coast and in the Pacific Northwest, he said.

The company also ships limes year-round.

Portland, Ore.-based Bridges Produce Inc ., which has a branch in Nogales, Ariz., has been distributing organic produce for decades, said Oscar Trujillo, grower relations and sales manager.

Bridges Produce handles all the basic items from West Mexico, including winter and summer squash, bell peppers, chili peppers, cucumbers, green beans and eggplant.

Some distributors have been attracted by the popularity of the organic category but ended up pulling out quickly after realizing that, “It’s a whole different world,” Trujillo said.

“You can’t just put an organic sticker on something and expect it to sell,” he said.

“You have to be plugged into the customers and have the relationships.”

Bridges Produce sources from six farms in West Mexico. Prices of organic produce have fallen over time, he said.

“Prices are almost half of what they used to be eight years ago.”

Falling prices are tough on growers, whose costs for seed, packing materials and boxes and other necessities rise, he said.

“Production costs increase and grower returns go down every year.”

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Organic citrus gaining ground

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:18:40 GMT

Citrus has become one of the produce department’s leading organic items.

Oranges tied for ninth place in The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2020, along with bananas and grapes.

Sales of organic oranges jumped from 25.4 million pounds in 2017 to 27.3 million in 2018.

The Organic Fresh Trends survey indicated that 8% of consumers purchased organic oranges exclusively, and 19% bought them at least some of the time.

Fresh Trends also showed that 13% of consumers bought organic grapefruit exclusively, while 26% bought organic some of the time.

“We are seeing an increase in the production of the organic category,” said Christina Ward, director of global brand marketing for Sunkist Growers , Valencia, Calif.

That production increase follows continued high consumer demand.

San Francisco-based Pacific Organic Produce has added customers and seen growth with existing accounts as well, said John Stair, domestic commodity manager.

“We see strong interest in organic citrus from season to season,” he said.

Last year, organic mandarin sales were up 39%, and distribution of organic mandarins continues to increase, Ward said.

There also has been an increase in acreage for other varieties, such as cara and blood oranges, leading to an increase in production of these categories, she said.

“The Sunkist organic citrus program is pretty consistent with the consumption mix of organic citrus,” Ward said.

Sunkist offers a broad portfolio of organics that also includes navel oranges, minneola tangelos, valencia oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes, Ward said.

“Paired with a strong supply of conventional citrus, Sunkist is able to supply our customers’ entire citrus program,” she said.

Pacific Organic Produce is involved in marketing the Doc’s Organics citrus deal out of Brawley, Calif., Stair said.
This will be the third season Doc’s has packed organic citrus in its own facility in the desert, he said.

Doc’s specializes in high-volume organic lemons, rio red grapefruit, minneolas and some sweet limes.

Products are marketed under the Doc’s Organic label, and the company markets some of its fruit itself.

Doc’s citrus program kicked off in August and will continue with lemons until February and grapefruit until March or April.

Minneolas ramped up in early January and will continue for about eight weeks.

Pacific Organic Produce also began crossing loads of organic oranges and early or sweet valencias from Mexico in November.

Early valencias will transition to valencias in February, which will continue until June.

The company will have a high-volume organic orange deal from Mexico under its Purity label.

The firm also will offer California navels through April, with volume similar to last year and quality expected to be good.

“We’re hopeful for a positive season for our growers,” Stair said.

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Sunkist’s Montreal pop-up features herbs, citrus

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:37:15 GMT

Sunkist Growers treated Montreal residents to a bright, garden-themed pop-up to escape the winter blues.

The citrus cooperative’s Citrus & Herb Garden taught more than 1,000 people how to pair citrus and herbs to encourage citrus consumption, according to a news release. The event was at Le Cathcart, a new foodie destination at the Place Ville Marie.

Mixologist Rose Simard served mocktails at a citrus herb garden beverage bar, and skincare and wellness expert Léa Bégin taught Montrealers about using citrus for skins scrubs.

“This is a great time of year to bring a little California sunshine to Canada,” Christina Ward, director of global brand marketing, said in the release. “By giving consumers in Montreal a taste of our California-grown citrus, we were able to showcase the versatility of our fruit through herbaceous pairings in dishes, drinks, décor and more.”

Most Sunkist citrus varieties are shipping in winter, including navels , cara cara oranges, blood oranges, Minneola tangelos, lemons and mandarins according to the release.

Sunkist plans another Citrus & Herb Garden pop-up for a tour around Toronto this spring.

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Citrus suppliers expect extensive import deals

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:37:42 GMT

Senior director Chris Cockle said Dinuba, Calif.-based Wonderful Citrus will have an extensive offshore citrus deal this summer that will include mandarins, navel oranges and lemons.

Mandarins from Uruguay will have “perfect sizing” with 24s, 28s and “modest amounts” of larger and very small fruit, Cockle said.

Meanwhile, volume of Peruvian mandarins was expected to be up 10% to 15% over last season, with a larger size structure featuring 18s, 20s and 24s.

The company’s first Chilean easy peelers should arrive in mid-June.

“We are anticipating marginal growth with the crop this season with a smaller size structure — 28s, 32s and 36s,” he said.

Wonderful Citrus anticipates a good season for South African mandarins starting by early June, with volumes projected to increase.

Sizing on South African mandarins will be good — mostly 24s and 28s, Cockle said.

Volume of Australian mandarins is expected to be down 10%-15% from last season with sizes peaking at 28s.

Packing and shipping were expected to begin by the end of June with arrivals in the U.S. the first week of August with w. murcotts.

The company expected its first Argentinian lemons to arrive in the U.S. by early June.

“Exporters are ensuring the color is perfect for the U.S. market,” Cockle said.

“The competition for volume from Europe could influence the volumes heading our way.”

Fruit is expected to be large, peaking on 95s and 115s.

Navel oranges are expected to arrive from Chile by late June with volume down 10% compared to last year, he said.

South African navels also should be in the U.S. by the end of June.

“There will be a good balance of small and large fruit this season,” he said.

But he added that a big pull for volumes to Europe could affect what is exported to the U.S.

Limes are good-selling citrus year-round, but sales tend to spike in summer when consumers light up their barbecues or head to the park for picnics, where they use citrus for grilling or as a condiment with fish or chicken, said Eddie Caram, general manager at New Limeco LLC , Princeton, Fla.

New Limeco sources from Mexico and Honduras.

“There’s always an increase in sales and an increase in production in summer because Mexico is in their heaviest production,” Caram said.

Visalia, Calif.-based Seven Seas , a division of Tom Lange Co. Inc., Springfield, Ill., will offer navel oranges, midknight oranges, mandarins, lemons and star ruby grapefruit this summer, said Miles Fraser-Jones, director of global business development.

The company will source from South Africa, Chile and Peru.

South Africa should have a normal crop, with increases over 2019, he said.

Certain areas of Chile were affected by severe drought conditions, and Fraser-Jones expected similar quantity to last year with smaller sizing.

Peru should have a normal crop with an increase in supply because of growth in the industry, he said.

Santa Paula, Calif.-based Limoneira Co., which provides lemons year-round, currently is sourcing from its California coastal growing area, said Alex Teague, chief operating officer.

The company will import product from ranches in Chile and Argentina if necessary to meet customer demand, he said.

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Citrus interest big on PMG

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:34:44 GMT

Organic pears maintained the top spot on PMG the week of Nov. 30, but citrus showed strong interest overall, taking six of the top 20 spots. Oranges came in at No. 2, lettuce took No. 3, and lemons took the No. 4 spot. Carrots completed the top 5.

The PMG platform connects produce buyers and sellers. Below, find the top 20 searched commodities on PMG during the week of Nov. 30.

Potatoes were No. 6, and avocados took the No. 7 spot. Pummelos came in at No. 8, and eggplant returned to the list at No. 9. Mushrooms rounded out the top 10.

Sweet potatoes took the No. 11 spot, and mandarins came in at No. 12. Apples were No. 13, and cucumbers were No. 14. Mangoes completed the top 15.

Strawberries were No. 16, and broccoli came in at No. 17. Okra was No. 18, and navel oranges took No. 19. Specialty Seville oranges completed the top 20.

2020 lemon purchase statistics from Fresh Trends Data

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:37:24 GMT

For a dozen years, the likelihood of a lemon purchase has increased according to income. Consumers earning $100,000 or more annually were among the most likely to buy the citrus fruit overall.

Lemons are a favorite of Hispanic consumers, with half of this group saying they bought lemons in the past year, which is significant since only 35% of the general population said the same. Asian shoppers were among the least likely to buy the yellow fruit.

While families without kids were more likely to buy lemons than those with kids, the likelihood of a lemon purchase increased according to the number of children in the household. Shoppers in the South and West were more apt to buy the sour fruit than those in other regions.

When it came to organic purchases, 8% of lemon buyers said they always selected organic fruit. Twenty-two percent said they opted for organic lemons at least some of the time.

Bee Sweet Citrus sees pandemic citrus surge as summer begins

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:17:22 GMT

Bee Sweet Citrus is transitioning into its annual summer program as the pandemic continues to drive sales.

“Over the past few months, our industry has seen a huge surge in demand for citrus varieties across the board,” Joe Berberian, Bee Sweet Citrus sales representative, said in a news release.

The company expects a steady demand throughout the summer months because consumers are continuing to invest in their health, according to the release.

Bee Sweet’s summer citrus line includes Star Ruby grapefruit, Sanguinelli blood oranges, lemons and Valencia oranges, and Chilean navels and mandarins.

“This combination of both domestic and offshore product also upholds the company’s ‘no gap’ promise — ensuring customers access to citrus, even as the state’s domestic season comes to an end,” according to the release.

“The versatility of our summer line can meet the needs of any niche market, while also providing consumers with the added nutrition they look for in produce commodities,” Monique Bienvenue, Bee Sweet Citrus director of communications, said in the release.

For more information about Bee Sweet Citrus, visit https://bit.ly/2B0J2O6

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Lime sales trending upward

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:38:15 GMT

Sales of fresh limes seem to be trending upward.

At Delano, Calif.-based Wonderful Citrus , Elena Rhodes, director of product management, said in mid-April that sales were up 13% year over year.

At Los Angeles-based World Variety Produce Inc., which markets the Melissa’s brand, Robert Schueller, director of public relations, said sales of regular limes increased 11%, organic limes were up 17% and Key limes rose 11% in March and early April compared to January/February.

Beck Grove , a small, family-owned grower in Fallbrook, Calif., was selling out of limes early this year as usually picky buyers were grabbing any limes they could get “no matter what it looked like,” said Nina Colasurdo, grove manager.

“The market has been a little wonky because of COVID-19,” she said.

Wonderful Citrus picks limes year-round, Rhodes said.

“Our lime ranches in Mexico allow us to have steady supply throughout the year,” she said.

The current lime crop has been developing during the past three months.

“January was fair, February was rainy, which is good for tree health but creates some pressure with anthracnosis,” Rhodes said.

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“And March has been very dry in many growing regions.”

Overall quality for limes has been good, she said, with some light green coloring and minimal dehydration.

She said in April that it was too soon to predict the size of this year’s lime crop, since the new crop will continue to set throughout the year.

Santa Paula, Calif.-based Limoneira has a small lime program out of Mexico that continues to grow, said Alex Teague, chief operating officer.

“We focus on pairing lemons and limes for the foodservice industry,” he said.

Lime supplies for Limoneira currently are very limited because of harvest restrictions in Mexico as well as the cycle in the harvest, he said.

“When the foodservice industry gets back on its feet, we will start to see normalized volumes again,” he added.

Most limes sold in the U.S. are imported from Mexico, Schueller said.

“We don’t have a strong lime crop here in California.”

They’re more popular than lemons — by a 4 to 1 margin — in Mexico, Central America and South America, he said.

Limes are gaining popularity in the U.S. because of the expanding ethnic diversity, he said.

Mexico, where New Limeco LLC , Princeton, Fla., has worked directly with growers for a long time, also is that company’s main source for limes, said Eddie Caram, general manager.

New Limeco also sources from Honduras and Colombia and offers limes year-round.

Mexico and Honduras ship 52 weeks a year, while Colombia typically exports limes to the U.S. from January until early May.

Quality of the spring crop is “looking fantastic,” Caram said in mid-April, with “nice, dark green limes.”

Sizes range from 110 to 250.

The Persian variety is the most common type of lime sold in the U.S., but smaller Key limes that are a bit more tart and are often used in pies and desserts also are available.

Like with lemons, “Foodservice is a big, big puller for limes,” Caram said.

They’re often used in drinks and served with seafood dishes.

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Other varieties are sweet limes, which are yellow and “totally different from regular limes”; finger limes, a highly specialty variety available from July to December; and Kieffer limes, another specialty variety with a bumpy, deep green skin, Schueller said.

Beck Grove sells to distributors who cater to buyers who prefer California fruit, Colasurdo said.

“They will spend more for California citrus because it’s juicier,” she said.

The company usually picks lemons until June 15, then lets the trees go on hiatus until mid-August.

This year, Colasurdo had sold out of most of her lemons by March 19.

She attributed the unusual turn of events to possible panic buying or distributors unsure about their ability to secure fruit from sources in Mexico.

But it was a good year for California limes.

“The quality and the taste have been fantastic,” she said.

EcoFarm panel looks at supply chain challenges

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:24:42 GMT

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. — Organic farming and marketing is not getting any easier, and a panel of organic supply chain experts at EcoFarm 2020 said the causes include regulations, competition and escalating consumer expectations.

The Jan. 24 panel, moderated by Thomas Nelson, regional director with Kitchen Table Advisors, Guinda, Calif., featured two organic suppliers, a wholesale distributor and a retailer.

Panelists said there are several challenges for their businesses.

Qiana Cameron, buyer with Veritable Vegetable, San Francisco, said Department of Transportation hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers, amplified by electronic logging device mandates, have sometimes prevented trucks from making deliveries on time.

Paul Underhill, CEO of Terra Firma Farm, Winters, said California’s overtime laws are troublesome.
“We already have a labor shortage in California and that’s being exacerbated by the state of California, which is continually reducing the number of hours that people can work back without paying overtime,” he said.

That will eventually translate to less product being available. The overtime law will take full effect in 2022, when eight hours a day and five days a week will be the threshold for overtime pay for farmworkers.

Increasing labor costs and competition from large growers are pressuring small organic growers, said Bianca Kaprielian, owner of Fruit World Co., Reedley. She noted that organic Cuties mandarins recently hit the market, and that makes it hard for smaller organic citrus shippers to compete in terms of marketing dollars.

“Our job is really to figure out how to tell our story and finding creative ways to connect with consumers,” she said.
Jennifer Knapp, director of a retail distribution center for the retail cooperative La Montanita, Santa Fe, N.M., said the retailer faces price pressures from competitors like Walmart, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

“We’ve got to really work hard to tell the stories and connect people to their food and challenges that are in the desert,” Knapp said.

Panelists said packaging is a hot topic for consumers, but there is no simple solution.

“We need to do better in terms of sustainable packaging,” Kaprielian said. “The (corrugated/fiber-based packaging) has been a good first step, but I think that there is a ton of work that needs to be done on the packaging side.”
Consumers are not easily satisfied, Underhill said, noting that many have competing desires in packaging.

“For 2020, I feel like consumers expect convenience and carbon neutrality, and they are not necessarily going to be able to accept compromise just so that they are reducing their carbon footprint,” he said,

Underhill also said some bigger produce buyers have used food safety requirements to exclude small growers.

“They say, ‘If you don’t have $100,000 to spend on food safety, then we are not going to buy from you,’” he said. “A trend that I would really like to see is pushing back against third-party audits. There is a (food safety) law now and we all have to comply with it. Back off on third-party audits; we can’t afford it.”

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Lorena Garcia joins TerraFresh Organics as director of sales

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:38:22 GMT

TerraFresh Organics , Mill Valley, Calif., has hired Lorena Garcia as director of sales and business development.

Garcia was sales manager at Sundance Natural Foods, Oceanside, Calif., a business she joined in mid-1996. She has worked with growers, shippers and wholesalers, primarily in organic citrus , according to a news release, and her experience includes managing grower relationships, packing schedules, sales and budgets.

“We’re thrilled to bring Lorena and her organic fruit expertise to TerraFresh,” Greg Holzman, co-founder and managing partner of TerraFresh Organics, said in the release. “Her sales knowledge in this space, along with her passion for the organic fruit industry, will make for a great fit within our company.”

TerraFresh specializes in supplying organic citrus, mangoes, stone fruit and grapes.

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Retail study shows organic growth doubles conventional in 2019

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:39:32 GMT

2019 retail sales of organic fruits and vegetables grew twice as fast as sales of conventional produce, according to a new study on organic sales.

Growing at slightly more than 5% in 2019, retail organic produce sales in 2019 compared with 2% growth for conventional fruits and vegetables, according to the 2019 Organic Produce Performance Report released by the Organic Produce Network and Category Partners.

Volume growth of organic fruits and vegetables moved at retail in 2019 totaled 4.6%, according to a news release, compared with less than 1% volume growth for conventional produce.

The report was created using Nielsen retail scan data covering total food sales and outlets in the U.S., according to the release.

“Organic growth in retail produce departments continues to be strong,” Matt Seeley, CEO of the Organic Produce Network, said in the release. “Last year, sales of organic fruits and vegetables established a new record, hitting $5.8 billion in retail sales. The rate of growth has slowed slightly from previous years, but there is every reason to believe that the growth of organic fruits and vegetables will continue to outpace conventional products.”

The report showed that Northeast U.S. retail sales grew 6.3%, tops among all regions. At 5.7%, the West region showed the second best growth, followed by 4.7% growth in the South and 3% growth in the Midwest region.

A key to creating bigger future retail sales is broadening the range of organic commodities, Steve Lutz, senior vice president of Insights and Innovation at Category Partners, said in the release.

“What we see in the Nielsen data is that organic produce at retail is concentrated within fewer categories than conventional produce,“ Lutz said in the release. “The top 10 organic categories in produce drive nearly 70% of volume. These same categories contribute only 53% to total volume in conventional.”

The scan data indicated top performers for generating organic sales in 2019 were packaged salads and berries, with packaged salads accounting for almost 20% of total retail organic sales and the combined berry category (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry) adding another 15%.

Bananas, carrots and apples drive 41% of total organic volume, according to the release.

“The top 10 organic categories drive 61% percent of total dollars versus only 38% percent in conventional,” Lutz said in the release.

Seeley said in the release that the data points to strong organic opportunity for producers and retailers.

“It’s clear that capturing future growth will require that the mix of organic volume be spread across a broader base of products,” Seeley said in the release.

“As supermarkets increase organic assortment, expand shelf sets, and improve the visibility of organics at retail level, we believe the data shows consumer purchases will follow.”

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Organic citrus sales going strong

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:18:36 GMT

Organic citrus growers in California and Texas are reporting ample supplies of good-quality fruit this season, with demand continuing to expand.

“Overall, we have a better crop set on all the varietals that we offer this year,” said Craig Morris, citrus and grape category director for Homegrown Organic Farms , Porterville, Calif.

“The quality and condition are superior to last year,” he said.

Pack outs are higher, too. The company expects to see a 15% to 20% jump in volume.

Homegrown Organic Farms offers navel oranges, lemons, cara cara navels, grapefruit, pummelos, satsumas, clementines, tango/w murcotts and blood oranges grown domestically, along with limes from Mexico.

In Mission, Texas, Dennis Holbrook, president of South Tex Organics LC, also was reported good quality on the company’s grapefruit, several varieties of oranges and some meyer lemons.

Volume will be down a bit this year after a heavy crop last season, he said.

“The trees have taken a little bit of a break,” he said. “They’re not quite as laden down with citrus as they were last year.”

This year’s crop volume will be more in the average range, he said.

Fruit size was an issue early on, but sizing seemed to be catching up in January, he said.

January and February are the strongest months for organic citrus, Holbrook said.

Cecelia Packing Corp ., Orange Cove, Calif., grows but does not pack organic navels, cara caras and a few lemons, said Keith Wilson, sales manager,

“Demand is still great for organic,” Wilson said.

Ranches get good returns for their organic citrus every year, he said.

“It’s still a growing segment of the industry.”

The fact that Homegrown Organic Farms is well established in the business and has a strong customer base has helped the company progress, Morris said.

“We’ve really built a lot of trust and built some incredible programs in the industry,” he said.

One trend Morris has noticed in recent years is growth of the organic mandarin category.

Five years ago, mandarins accounted for 10% of the company’s portfolio, he said. Today that figure is up to as much as 30%.

“We’ve increased our development of the mandarin varietals to match customer demand,” he said.

Navel volume is higher than mandarins but consistent, while most of the new plantings are mandarins.

“Our navel growth is not growing at such a rapid pace, but the orange is still the foundation of our program,” he said.

The company offers organic navel and valencia oranges.

Holbrook said South Tex organics is an organic pioneer and the largest organic citrus grower in Texas.

The company has seen the category undergo significant growth over its 36 years.

In its early days, the firm exported some of its citrus because there was more product than demand in the domestic market, Holbrook said.

“That is not the case any longer,” he said. “We’re having ample demand for the volume we’re producing. It’s a good balance.”

Holbrook said Texas is an ideal place to grow organic citrus.

“We have best of all worlds,” he said.

There’s a semitropical growing environment with warm days and cooler evenings; a coastal breeze, since the growing area is not too far from Gulf of Mexico; and it’s in a river delta, so the soils are rich with nutrients and minerals, he said.

“It makes an ideal condition to grow grapefruit and oranges.”

The organic category has been growing steadily for several decades, Holbrook said, and he doesn’t expect that growth to slow anytime soon.

“I don’t see any indicators where that growth will slow down or level off,” he said.

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Patagonia doubles organic citrus

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:18:36 GMT

Patagonia Orchards LLC , Rio Rico, Ariz., has added a second grower to boost its output of organic citrus, said Delilah Romo, sales manager.
“We are going to double our acreage that we moved in previous years,” she said.

The company kicked off its organic program with early valencias and grapefruit in the fall, then headed into dancy mandarins, which its calls Sonoran Sweets. “Real” valencias will come on in February.

“It was a good growing year,” Romo said. “Everything looks really, really healthy.”

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Whole Foods honors three produce companies

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:39:11 GMT

Braga Fresh Family Farms, Del Rey Avocado and Suntreat received recognition from Whole Foods as part of the retailer’s annual Supplier Awards program.

Whole Foods announced the winners Feb. 18 at a reception in Austin, Texas, where the organics-focused retailer has its headquarters.

Soledad, Calif.-based Braga Fresh garnered a mention for “providing fresh, high-quality produce and offering excellent service,” according to a news release.

“Farming from the Salinas Valley to Yuma, Ariz., for three generations, Braga Fresh quickly became a key supplier for Whole Foods Market in the wet vegetable category, collaborating with us to refine its offerings and demonstrating consistent engagement and commitment to partnership,” Whole Foods wrote.

The retailer spotlighted Dinuba, Calif.-based Suntreat in its Outstanding Innovation category.

“Notably, Suntreat worked with Whole Foods Market to create a remarkable retail program for the widely popular Sumo Citrus variety since it was first launched,” Whole Foods wrote in the release. “Suntreat is also a trusted supplier of a number of other conventional and organic citrus varieties.”

Fallbrook, Calif.-based Del Rey Avocado received recognition in the Service & Partnership category.

“In addition to always being readily available and providing transparency, the Del Rey team is committed to high quality and social responsibility by creating economically viable business relationships, utilizing technologies that minimize waste, and practicing environmentally sound agricultural practices in growing their avocados,” Whole Foods wrote.

The retailer also listed among its award winners Fair Trade USA.

Whole Foods recognized the organization for “its tireless efforts to improve working conditions and the environment,” the company wrote in the release. “As one of the third-party certifiers of Whole Foods Market’s Whole Trade Guarantee program, Fair Trade USA is critical to ensuring that Whole Foods Market offers products that support ethical trade, working conditions and the environment.”

Specialty citrus growing for DiSilva Fruit

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:19:13 GMT

Chelsea, Mass.-based DiSilva Fruit and Morning Kiss Organic are offering a full line of conventional and organic citrus this season.

DiSilva Fruit and Morning Kiss Organic, part of the Arrowfarms family of companies, now offer organic and conventional navels, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons and limes, according to a news release.

Also available is a full range of specialty citrus, including heirloom navels, cara cara navels, blood oranges, minneolas, stem and leaf murcotts, satsumas, golden nuggets, pummelos and melo golds.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in our specialty citrus programs over the past few years, and we’re excited to once again work with our grower partners to provide a full spectrum of specialty citrus from heirloom navels to stem and leaf murcotts,” Alden Guptill, sales manager at DiSilva Fruit, said in the release.

New for this season, DiSilva Fruit is offering stem and leaf murcotts and satsumas in three-pound and four-pound clamshell packages. The new packaging formats are designed to allow retailers more options for marketing and retail price points.

Morning Kiss Organic offers organic citrus from an extensive grower network, according to the release.

“Every year we look forward to the start of the citrus season,” Nelly Czajkowski, sales manager for Morning Kiss Organic, said in the release. “Winters in New England can be cold and dreary, and our fresh organic citrus is the perfect way to bring color to your day.”

Related article:

Marketers expecting ample organic citrus supplies

Florida crops survive hurricanes; citrus up from 2018

California navel volume down, size up this season

Florida citrus growers anticipate a good year

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:15:56 GMT

This should be a good year for Florida citrus with grower-shippers reporting good growing conditions for oranges and grapefruit, and some suppliers adding increasingly popular easy peelers, like the ones that have taken off in California.

Volume will be down in some categories, however.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, in its November citrus crop forecast, estimated that Florida growers will pack 57 million 90-pound boxes of oranges during the 2020-21 season, down from 29.6 million boxes last season; and they should have 4.5 million 85-pound boxes of grapefruit, down from 4.8 million boxes during 2019-20.

Tangerines and tangelos should be up slightly to 1.1 million 95-pound boxes from 1 million last year.

Florida Classic Growers now is offering juice oranges, red grapefruit and tangerines, said president Al Finch.

As of early January, volume was trending about the same as last year, but Finch said he anticipates a big second half of the season from January through May.

The company will have increased volume of valencia oranges this season.

Quality has been good.

“We’ve experienced a cooler holiday season this year versus the past few years, which will help color up the fruit on the trees,” he said.

Fort Pierce, Fla.-based DLF International offers oranges, grapefruit and some seedless tangerines, said owner Doug Feek.

Juice oranges will be the company’s main item until the end of June or early July.

Early-season oranges will finish by early February, then the company will switch to valencias.

“Quality has been good,” Feek said. “The brix levels are looking good.”

DLF’s volume will be up about 15% this season compared to last year, fueled by a doubling of the firm’s grapefruit volume and increases in oranges, honeybells and tangerines.

Oviedo, Fla.-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. finished its navel orange program in the fall and now is shipping hamlin juice oranges, which will continue until late January, and then launch its pineapple oranges followed by valencias from mid-

February until June, said John Holford, citrus commodity manager.

“We’ll have a good crop of oranges,” he said.

Dark red grapefruit started in October and will be available into February, and marsh ruby grapefruit will be around until late March or April.

“We had a very, very wet summer,” Holford said, which is resulting in larger-size grapefruit this season.

“We kind of missed that larger fruit the last couple of years,” he said.

The cleanliness and exterior quality of the grapefruit has been good, and the eating quality has been excellent, Holford said.

Overall, volume at Duda should be up this year compared to last year, thanks largely to an increase in volume of some new easy peel varieties the company has added.

Holford said there was a “huge pivot” from bulk citrus to bagged product from April through the summer with imported citrus, but interest in bagged product has not been the same since the Florida season kicked off.

But he added the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program boosted demand for 3- and 4-pound bags.

Seald Sweet International, Vero Beach, Fla., was just getting into the second half of its grapefruit season in early January, said GT Parris, commodity manager.

Spot picking took place during the first part of the season, he said. Now workers were going back to clean-pick the groves.
Grapefruit sizes will be smaller, Parris said, because larger sizes already have been picked.

Sizing during the second half of the season will be in the 23- to 27-count range compared to 40-48 during the first part.

“Quality has been good,” he said. “We’ve had a really good run on Florida citrus in general.”

Exceptional flavor has been returning to the fruit after an absence of about four years as growers learn how to deal with citrus greening, he said.

Fruit quality is rebounding as growers discover better spray and fertilization techniques, Parris said.