Peaches

Titan Farms Shares Summer Season Retail Plans

Fri, 01 May 2026 03:30:36 GMT

Titan Farms, a grower-packer-shipper of fresh peaches and vegetables, says that as the peach season gets underway, it plans to work closely with its retail partners to address summer program needs and ensure a strong, consistent and high-quality supply during peak demand.

The company says it’s seeing increased urgency from retailers to secure partners that can offer visibility, flexibility and execution throughout the season, as many continue to evaluate sourcing options for the weeks ahead.

Titan Farms says it has strong volume availability to help drive summer programs as demand builds.

“Retailers are looking to align with partners who can support their programs and help ensure they have the coverage they need as the season unfolds,” says Ross Williams, president of Titan Farms. “We take pride in working closely with our customers, and our experienced sales team is ready to step in and support.”

Titan Farms says it collaborates with retailers to structure programs based on retailer need, timing and promotional strategies to ensure alignment. The company says it prioritizes disciplined planning and measured program commitments to maintain consistency and execution.

“Our focus is on building strong partnerships and supporting them well,” says Chalmers Carr, Titan Farms CEO. “We’ve built our operation to align volume with customer needs and deliver consistent execution throughout the season, backed by a team committed to a high level of service.”

Moonlight Companies Shares its ‘7 Months of Summer’ Strategy

Fri, 01 May 2026 03:27:48 GMT

Moonlight Cos., the California-based grower, packer and shipper of stone fruit, says its focus on geographic diversity is a core strategy to deliver consistent, high-quality fruit in a changing environment.

The company, which is the largest stone fruit grower in the U.S., says consistency, flavor and availability remain critical for both retailers and consumers as demand for fresh fruit continues to grow.

Moonlight’s portfolio includes a wide range of fruit, with peaches, nectarines, plums and Pluots, across conventional and its Regenerative Organic Certified programs, grown in multiple microclimates to extend seasonal availability and deliver fruit at peak ripeness, flavor and freshness.

The company says it has built a vertically integrated supply network across key growing regions, from the Coachella Valley through California’s Central Valley and extending into Washington, creating what it describes as “7 Months of Summer.” Moonlight says this multiregion approach helps balance supply across shifting conditions, reducing exposure to localized weather disruptions while supporting steady, reliable shipments.

“Historically, permanent crops like stone fruit have been tied to very tight geographies, often within just a few miles,” said Jim Jones, vice president of ag ops. “What we’ve built is a multiregion growing system that’s common in categories like berries and vegetables but not practiced at scale in modern stone fruit production. That shift allows us to deliver more consistent quality and supply across the season.”

Moonlight says the strategy is designed to align each variety with the growing conditions best suited to deliver optimal flavor, texture and freshness, ensuring each region contributes fruit at its peak throughout the season while supporting regenerative farming practices that improve soil health, resource efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Moonlight says its diversified growing regions and production practices position it to respond to both environmental challenges and evolving consumer expectations.

“This isn’t just about managing variability,” Jones says. “It’s about putting each piece of fruit in the right environment to perform. By matching varieties to the to the regions where they thrive, we’re able to deliver better flavor, freshness and consistency week after week.”

Golden State Crops Show Promise

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:57:32 GMT

Summer’s just around the corner. That means consumers soon will be treating themselves to mouthwatering summer fruits like strawberries, grapes and a full lineup of stone fruit from California.

Early Start for Strawberries

Actually, strawberry season is already underway, says Chris Christian, vice president of market insights for the Watsonville-based California Strawberry Commission.

“There has been an early start to the season this year, driven by warm and dry winter weather,” she says.

April through September is peak season for California strawberries with ample supplies to support promotions, she adds.

The commission projects weekly volume to be 7 million to 8 million trays through August.

“Retailers can maintain sales velocity best by promoting or offering price reductions for multiple consecutive weeks around spring and summer holidays,” Christian says.

Though warm, dry weather is conducive to pest pressure, farmers have been managing any issues and continue to harvest top-quality fruit, she says.

“We project an increase in overall fresh production compared to 2025, based on a slight increase in acreage and the new varieties now in production,” Christian says.

Fresh production was more than 236 million trays in 2025, which was 4.4% higher than the five-year average. California produces about 90% of U.S.-grown strawberries.

To celebrate the International Year of Women in Farming, California Strawberries is spotlighting women shaping the future of the industry, Christian says.

“This year we are focused on elevating these voices and stories, highlighting the vital role women play in producing one of the most vibrant, nutritious fruits enjoyed around the world,” she says.

Nearly all of the U.S. commercially grown table grapes come from California, says Ian LeMay, president of the Fresno-based California Table Grape Commission. In 2025, California shipped approximately 92.5 million 19-pound boxes of table grapes.

(Photo courtesy of California Table Grape Commission)

Table Grape Expectations

California’s table grape season should kick off in May in the Coachella Valley, says Ian LeMay, president of the Fresno-based California Table Grape Commission.

By the end of July, the harvest moves north to the San Joaquin Valley, where California grapes can be harvested into December with promotable volume available through January.

Any time is a good time for retailers to promote California grapes, LeMay says.

“In the early part of the season, it is important for retailers to stock and promote California grapes to let their shoppers know that California grapes are available,” he says. “Through the summer and fall, California grapes fit into any promotion, whether it’s summer celebrations, back-to-school grocery shopping or festive fall gatherings.”

LeMay says 99% of the U.S. commercially grown table grapes come from the Golden State.

In 2025, California shipped approximately 92.5 million 19-pound boxes of table grapes, which is above the five-year average, LeMay says.

The commission plans to launch an extensive global marketing plan for 2026 that will target the U.S. and 23 export markets around the world, LeMay says.

“The campaign motivates the trade — including retailers, wholesalers and importers — to stock and promote California grapes with a variety of incentives such as contests, digital promotions, merchandising, point-of-purchase materials, sampling and a retail registered dietitian program to motivate the sale of California grapes,” he says.

Up to 85% of U.S.-grown stone fruit comes from California, says Courtney Razor, director of member services and communications for the Fresno-based California Fresh Fruit Association. California apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums are available from mid-April to November.

(Photo courtesy of California Fresh Fruit Association)

The State of Stone Fruit

California stone fruit — including apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums — is available from mid-April to November, says Courtney Razor, director of member services and communications for the Fresno-based California Fresh Fruit Association.

Up to 85% of U.S.-grown stone fruit comes from California, she says.

“California’s combination of climate patterns, fertile soils, water supply and availability and unique growing regions creates ideal conditions for producing high-quality stone fruit over an extended season,” she says. “Each season, consumers have come to expect California-grown stone fruit to deliver exceptional quality, consistently offering outstanding flavor, vibrant color and peak freshness.”

This year should be no exception.

Though there’s a lighter snowpack in the mountains, most growing regions received adequate rainfall and chill hours through the winter, Razor says.

“Our growers will continue to play an important role in helping Americans reach their necessary vitamin, mineral and fiber intakes, especially as new federal dietary guidelines encourage us all to consume more fresh produce,” she says.

In addition to supplying their U.S. customers, CFFA growers use USDA market development grants to promote stone fruit exports to Japan, Mexico and Vietnam, Razor adds.

Moonlight Recalls Peaches Due to Potential Listeria Contamination

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:50:28 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration says Moonlight Companies voluntarily recalls its California-grown conventional yellow and white peaches due to a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

FDA says the recalled peaches were sold nationwide between Sept. 16 and Oct. 29 and were sold as individual pieces of fruit with PLU stickers or as multi-packs. The agency says the recall does not include packages or PLU stickers with “Washington” and/or “Organic.”

No illnesses have been reported to date, according to FDA.

Recalled peaches include:

Moonlight Yellow Peaches individual pieces, PLUs 4401 and 4044 and lot codes: 01PCLC, 03PCAF, 106PCLF, 113PCAF, 113PCLF, 129PCLF, 134PCLF, 142PCLF, 150PCLF, 151PCLF, 159PCABA, 159PCABB, 159PCPG10, 20, 22PCAB, 22PCPG10A, 22PCPG10B, 22PCP8A, 22PCPG8B, 22PCPG8C, 23, 25, 30PCEN, 40LT, 40YP#3, 44PCLC, 44PCLCB, 45, 51PCLC, 51PCLCB, 86PCAF, 69PWPR, 79PWPRT
Moonlight Yellow Peaches multi-packs, lot codes: 01PCLC, 03PCAF, 106PCLF, 113PCAF, 113PCLF, 129PCLF, 134PCLF, 142PCLF, 150PCLF, 151PCLF, 159PCABA, 159PCABB, 159PCPG10, 20, 22PCAB, 22PCPG10A, 22PCPG10B, 22PCP8A, 22PCPG8B, 22PCPG8C, 23, 25, 30PCEN, 40LT, 40YP#3, 44PCLC, 44PCLCB, 45, 51PCLC, 51PCLCB, 86PCAF, 69PWPR, 79PWPRT
Moonlight White Peaches individual pieces, PLUs 4401 and 4044 and lot codes: 01PCLC, 03PCAF, 106PCLF, 113PCAF, 113PCLF, 129PCLF, 134PCLF, 142PCLF, 150PCLF, 151PCLF, 159PCABA, 159PCABB, 159PCPG10, 20, 22PCAB, 22PCPG10A, 22PCPG10B, 22PCP8A, 22PCPG8B, 22PCPG8C, 23, 25, 30PCEN, 40LT, 40YP#3, 44PCLC, 44PCLCB, 45, 51PCLC, 51PCLCB, 86PCAF, 69PWPR, 79PWPRT
Moonlight White Peaches multi-packs, lot codes 01PCLC, 03PCAF, 106PCLF, 113PCAF, 113PCLF, 129PCLF, 134PCLF, 142PCLF, 150PCLF, 151PCLF, 159PCABA, 159PCABB, 159PCPG10, 20, 22PCAB, 22PCPG10A, 22PCPG10B, 22PCP8A, 22PCPG8B, 22PCPG8C, 23, 25, 30PCEN, 40LT, 40YP#3, 44PCLC, 44PCLCB, 45, 51PCLC, 51PCLCB, 86PCAF, 69PWPR, 79PWPRT
Moonlight White Peaches (“Peppermint Peach”) multi-packs, lot codes: 01PCLC, 03PCAF, 106PCLF, 113PCAF, 113PCLF, 129PCLF, 134PCLF, 142PCLF, 150PCLF, 151PCLF, 159PCABA, 159PCABB, 159PCPG10, 20, 22PCAB, 22PCPG10A, 22PCPG10B, 22PCP8A, 22PCPG8B, 22PCPG8C, 23, 25, 30PCEN, 40LT, 40YP#3, 44PCLC, 44PCLCB, 45, 51PCLC, 51PCLCB, 86PCAF, 69PWPR, 79PWPRT
Kroger Yellow Peaches multi-packs, lot codes: 01PCLC, 03PCAF, 106PCLF, 113PCAF, 113PCLF, 129PCLF, 134PCLF, 142PCLF, 150PCLF, 151PCLF, 159PCABA, 159PCABB, 159PCPG10, 20, 22PCAB, 22PCPG10A, 22PCPG10B, 22PCP8A, 22PCPG8B, 22PCPG8C, 23, 25, 30PCEN, 40LT, 40YP#3, 44PCLC, 44PCLCB, 45, 51PCLC, 51PCLCB, 86PCAF, 69PWPR, 79PWPRT

Peach Perfect: Virginia Grower Sets Guinness World Record

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:31:55 GMT

It’s nearing the end of apple season at the Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet, Va., but almost all anyone can talk about right now is peaches. Well, one peach in particular.

Because this year the Chiles family grew a Guinness World Record peach — 1 pound, 13 ounces.

“This all happened right at the very end of peach season, so we’re getting all this publicity and articles,” says Henry Chiles, a fifth-generation grower. “We’re in Virginia, and it’s made the news all the way to Colorado. And it’s apple season. It’s funny, but it seems to be making news everywhere.”

Chiles says he got the idea by looking at social media posts from other peach growers, noting how close their peaches were to the record weight.

“I thought to myself, well, we might have a peach like that out on the farm this year,” he says.

While growers can prune trees and blossom thin to manage crop load and produce larger fruit, Chiles says this year’s large peaches were part mother nature, part variety.

“We had a pretty significant spring frost in April that really, really lessened our crop load, especially on some varieties, and this was one of them,” he says. “So, I kind of had my eye on a couple of big peaches on the farm, and we picked one early and weighed it and it wasn’t quite wasn’t quite a record-breaker.”

But not all was lost, as Chiles entered that peach at the county fair for the largest peach and won. And one day, Chiles says he walked through the orchard and he found what he believed to be the perfect world record-breaking peach.

“We didn’t do much extra other than what we would normally take care of the peaches. We just had the right weather conditions this year for growing monster peaches,” he says.

While growing the peach was easy, going through the process to get the peach certified as the world’s heaviest peach was not.

That’s where Ally Whitmer, Henry’s sister and also a fifth-generation farmer who focuses on special projects at the farm, came in. Whitmer says it took a lot of paperwork, videos, photos and waiting, which is not necessarily the easiest for a perishable item.

“There’s a lot of paperwork, a lot of videos, a lot of photos and a lot of waiting time, with a peach that is very perishable,” she says. “It was very nerve-wracking.”

As they awaited the results from the approval process, Chiles and Whitmer say they moved the peach around for fear that something could happen to it.

Whitmer says that once she submitted everything to Guinness World Records, she realized that they didn’t submit a witness for the weighing video. So, she had to gather up the outstanding members of the community, an agricultural specialist and more to record the weighing video one more time.

The specialist made the official measurements and listed the genus and species as part of the paperwork. And all witnesses, which included a volunteer firefighter, a local grocery owner, a businessman and more, needed to provide Guinness with credentials to verify titles and positions.

“It did lose a little bit of weight in the refrigerator,” Chiles says of the second weight attempt. “So, our world record weight is actually the refrigerator weight. It was actually even a little bit heavier when we picked it off the tree. We lost about two-hundredths of a pound just being in the refrigerator, but that’s OK. We still had enough.”

And where is the peach now?? It’s frozen as Chiles and Whitmer plan to have a 3D replica of the peach made to put on display at the family’s retail store, Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet, Va.

As for plans to grow another heaviest peach, Chiles says he thinks he can do it again.

“I think that the record that we set this year is beatable, and I think that we probably will try to beat it again,” he says. “And I’m not saying that we’ll try every year. We do have the tree marked, and we will probably get a couple more of those trees made if we can or bought, and then, yeah, we probably will try again.”

America's Farm Labor Crisis: Can Immigration Reform Save Agriculture?

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:24:01 GMT

Walking orchards in the Central Valley, is something Scott Peters’ family has done for four generations. With his great grandfather settling in the fertile valley in 1933, the family has been immersed with changes. From regulations and battles over water, to the fight for labor and immigration, Peters Fruit Farms is not only working to preserve the past, but also fighting for their future.

“Today, we primarily grow stone fruit. We’ve gone a little bit into the citrus just to diversify. We have the packing house, so we want to keep it running year round. Citrus is the winter commodity, and stone fruit is the summer commodity,” Peters says.

The Peters are unique. They don’t just grow and pick the fruit. They’re also packers and shippers — an operation that relies on hundreds of employees throughout the year.

“Labor prices are really difficult for us,” says the California peach grower. “As an example, our minimum wage is $16.50. When we compete against Georgia (known as the ‘Peach State’), their minimum wage $7.25. It’s just under half of what we have to pay people, which means we just don’t have a margin of error. If there’s something wrong with the crop — if we have a weather event — it stings us a lot harder.”

California’s Farm Labor is Skilled and Difficult to Replace

That’s the reality for farmers across California. Not only are regulations and water becoming expensive for growers across the state, but labor costs are also on the rise. And considering labor is the highest cost for fruit growers, it’s putting a severe strain on producers.

And while it’s expensive, labor is one of Peters’ most critical resources.

“They’re a very talented labor force. We can’t just go and get somebody off the street,” he says. “We can’t get an H-2A worker from another country who doesn’t know the industry. They can’t do the same job.”

From Arizona to California, to meat processing plants that span across the U.S. Peters says that’s one of the biggest misconceptions about migrant labor. People may think they aren’t talented or skilled, but Peters argues they’re both.

“The supervisors have these rings, and we’ll open them up to the size of fruit we want picked. They will pick a few samples off the tree, show them what sits on the ring and what goes through the ring. And the labor we have picking in the orchard, they will know — just by looking at the rings — which fruit to pick,” Peters explains. “They’ll just go from limb to limb, tree to tree, and they’ll pick the size that we’re requesting by the rings.”

Scott Peters shows U.S. Farm Report host Tyne Morgan rings they use to show individuals who are picking the fruit just what size of fruit they need to pick that day. With barely any difference in the size, it shows just how skilled the labor that works in Peters’ orchards are today.

(Matt Mormann, Farm Journal )

Peters says, to the untrained eye, the difference in the size of the rings is unnoticeable — making the labor this orchard employs irreplaceable.

“That’s how skilled they are,” he says. “So when people say they’re replaceable and you can get H-2A people or other people off the street, no, it doesn’t work that way. Those people will have no idea that small of a difference when we’re asking them to pick a certain size.”

The Broken U.S. Immigration System

The individuals Peters employs aren’t part of the H-2A system. Instead, his workers have been in California for generations, doing manual labor many Americans either don’t want to do, or physically can’t do, at a speed that’s needed today.

“The immigration system in the U.S. is absolutely broken today,” Peters tells U.S. Farm Report. “Why? Because they don’t have a simple, easy way to make immigrants legal. It’s complicated. It’s not very easily accessible for the people. If they find a way to do it, it takes them a long time. We have employees that have gone through the process and are legal. At the time, we did not know they were not. We had no idea. When they come to us, they show us a valid ID, and they show a valid social security card. As far as we’re concerned, we are hiring legal people. And then they come back to us down the road and they show other cards and say, ‘Well, now i need to change.’ Then we have to abide by the new name because of the standards.”

Results from Farm Journal’s Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor

(Lindsey Pound )

Agricultural economists from across the U.S. agree. In the latest Farm Journal Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor , 87% of economists said the U.S. immigration system is broken for agriculture. But on the flip side, 87% of economists also said there will be no movement on immigration reform in 2025.

Manuel Cunha, president of the Nisei Farmers Leagu e, has been fighting for a fix to the current immigration system for decades. He says the current 40-year-old immigration system doesn’t work for agriculture. He argues it’s dramatically impacting California’s agricultural landscape.

“It’s horribly broken, and you can’t band-aid it together anymore,” Cunha tells U.S. Farm Report.

H-2A Program Doesn’t Work for California Agriculture

The H-2A guest worker program may work for some sectors of agriculture, but it’s not a comprehensive “fix” for agriculture — especially industries that rely on a large number of seasonal labor.

While the program is vital for addressing domestic labor shortages, for labor-intensive specialty crops like fruits and vegetables, the H-2A program is designed to provide a cortical legal source of labor where domestic workers are often unwilling or unavailable.

However, Cunha says what the H-2A guest worker program is designed to do, and how it actually works, are two different things.

“The cost is prohibitive. It’s a broken program. A guest worker program should be what it is. You go to the border, get a card and come into California or Arizona or wherever, work for 10 months and then leave,” Cunha says. “The system today requires people to through a process in the countries where you have recruiters that control the workers. They, in turn, kind of manipulate those workers where to go and how much you’re going to pay me, then the person comes here. On top of that, to provide required housing, transportation and meals is very costly. In this state, at $23 an hour, no farmer can afford that.”

Cunha says these are all reasons why the H-2A program must be reformed.

“We also must have a guest worker program for hotels, restaurants and construction to where those workers can come in here, they work for 10 months in a rotation, they go back and then they come back again,” Cunha says. “But it’s a guest worker program and not allowing the country to select and choose who you want. There has to be a great working relationship on a guest worker program that works for my industry and agriculture and the other industries as well.”

40-Year-Old Program

The last major immigration reform in the United States was the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), which granted legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants and increased penalties for employers hiring them.

The legislation, now 40 years old, is something Cunha argues is out of date.

Efforts to pass new immigration legislation have frequently failed due to partisan disagreements and an inability to find common ground between parties and administrations.

“They use it so they can get re-elected every time. And it’s so sad that our legislators have that type of mentality. Let’s not fix it, because if we say we’re going fix it, that’s how we’ll get elected. That’s how we’ll get re-elected,” Cunha says. “It’s been broken, and it’s been a facade.”

Dignity Act of 2025

Cunha says the only solution on the table that would work today is the Dignity Act of 2025. The bill was introduced on July 15 by Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Veronica Escobar (D-TX).

The bill not only focuses on securing the border, but it provides legal status to qualifying undocumented immigrants. It also imposes higher penalties for illegal border crossings and human and child sex trafficking. Not only would it address America’s farm labor crisis, but Cunha says it could help save agricultural industries that rely heavily on migrant labor across the U.S.

“This is the first real immigration bill that has addressed industries. The Farm Worker Modernization Act was just ag, and it really didn’t do all of ag. It only did the field and not the packing houses or the processing,” Cunha explains. “But being that we’re in the year 2025, many industries like agriculture have the same problem. Those workers have been there for years. And so somehow, we need to give them that opportunity to have a legal means to work here and to travel home.

Cunha says the U.S. has to do something new when it comes to immigration reform, and the Dignity Act of 2025 gives that life.

“The president continually gives off positive vibes: ‘I want the workers to stay here. They are important for the industries, agriculture, the restaurants, the hotels, the construction.’ So, those people need to be here. The bill absolutely deals with that. It makes them have dignity, respect and the fear of not being apprehended any part of the day, going to church or going to the hospital or whatever. They would have a legal card, and the bill’s doing that,” Cunha says.

For now, there’s a nervousness among workers in California — essential labor that supports California’s multi-billion-dollar farming community.

“The workers that are here are more than any H-2A worker that could ever come into the unit. We have 1.6 million. The Department of Labor couldn’t even handle that number if they wanted to bring in H-2A people. The system would blow up,” Cunha says.

California Farmers Are Hopeful

In June, President Donald Trump said he would issue an order soon to address the effects of his immigration crackdown on the country’s farm and hotel industries, which rely heavily on migrant labor.

Trump continues to send mixed signals on immigration policies — even with his hints of a fix for agriculture. According to preliminary Census Bureau data, analyzed by the Pew Research Center , the number of immigrant workers in the U.S. has declined by 1.2 million from January through the end of July. That figure includes people who are in the country illegally, as well as legal residents.

Peters says, considering the Trump administration continues to focus on agriculture, he is hanging onto hope. The hope is that Washington will finally find a long-term fix that helps farmers and protects the precious labor they can’t do without.

“They’re very talented workers,” Peters says. “They have skills, and they’re very hard to replace. You have to train the new person, and it’s how fast they pick up on the training. We’ve looked at robots that do pick fruit. The technology is coming, but it’s not there yet. It’s got a ways to go.”

Americans’ View on Immigration

Americans seem to be growing more positive toward immigration over the past year. According to a Gallup poll released in June, a record-high 79% of U.S. adults say immigration is a good thing for the country.

According to Gallup, these shifts reverse a four-year trend of rising concern about immigration that began in 2021. And with illegal border crossings down sharply this year, the Gallup poll found fewer Americans back hard-line border enforcement measures, while more favor offering pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.

Georgia Grown Peaches Exported to Mexico for the First Time in Nearly Three Decades

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 22:49:58 GMT

For the first time in 27 years, Georgia-grown peaches have been exported to Mexico through a partnership with Genuine Georgia and Atlanta-based Reveam .

Mexico has had strict import restrictions on peaches produced in the southeastern U.S. due to pest concerns since 1994, according to a news release. Reveam’s proprietary, USDA-approved Electronic Cold-Pasteurization technology enabled Genuine Georgia to meet Mexico’s strict import requirements and ship 42,000 pounds of Georgia Grown peaches south to Mexico. This achievement represents an important step forward toward opening more markets for Georgia producers and reducing barriers to international trade, the release says.

“Expanding access to reliable markets for Georgia producers is absolutely critical to ensure the continued success of our state’s No. 1 industry and our farm families,” says Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The partnership between Genuine Georgia and Reveam is a win for Georgia farmers and a blueprint for how our industry can use cutting-edge technology, like Reveam’s Electronic Cold-Pasteurization process, to break down barriers to international trade, exceed international food safety standards and reduce food waste.”

“This is about more than just opening market access. It’s a transformation of what’s possible for Georgia and Southeastern Agriculture,” says Chip Starns, co-founder and chief regulatory officer for Reveam. “Our ECP technology is giving Georgia growers the opportunity to reach new consumers, reduce waste and meet the most rigorous international standards while allowing residents of Mexico to enjoy the finest peaches in the world without compromising freshness or flavor.”

“There are a lot of peach eaters in Mexico, and a lot of them would love to have those Georgia peaches,” says Duke Lane, president of the Georgia Peach Council. “To give you a perspective of how many potential peach eaters are down there, you’ve got 22 million people in Mexico City and the surrounding areas. All of a sudden, we’re now bringing on another 20-plus million customers.”

“This is an excellent opportunity for Georgia peaches and Georgia farmers, and I appreciate Commissioner Harper’s efforts to make this a reality,” says Robert Dickey, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and owner of Dickey Farms.

Georgia last exported peaches to Mexico in 1994, when Mexican officials imposed a ban due to concerns about the potential spread of invasive pests. Since then, Georgia peach growers have been working in close coordination with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Mexican agricultural authorities to develop and implement rigorous new protocols to meet Mexico’s phytosanitary standards, according to the release.

A breakthrough in reopening the market came with the implementation of Electronic Cold-Pasteurization, an advanced treatment technology developed by Atlanta-based company Reveam, the release says. The USDA-approved process uses electron beam technology to eliminate pests and pathogens without chemicals or heat, helping maintain the quality and shelf life of fresh peaches while meeting Mexico’s strict import requirements.

Commissioner Harper has been a longtime supporter of Reveam, and in 2023, encouraged then USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to fast-track USDA approval of a Reveam ECP facility in Georgia near the port of Savannah. A Georgia facility remains an integral part of Reveam’s long-term growth plans and will be a great asset for Georgia farmers looking to compete in new markets, the release says.

USDA and GDA officials now inspect each shipment and issue a phytosanitary certificate verifying its compliance with international standards. With support from Reveam’s treatment facility in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Georgia growers can now meet Mexico’s safety and quality protocols, unlocking new potential for export growth, the release says. Mexico’s access to Georgia peaches opens up a new era of opportunity for the state’s fruit growers, helping expand their market and reinforcing the state’s global reputation as a leader in specialty crop production.

Next Generation Peach Farmer Cultivates a Legacy of Innovation at Pearson Farm

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:39:31 GMT

In the heart of Georgia peach country, Lawton Pearson is redefining what it means to carry on a family legacy.

A fifth-generation farmer at Pearson Farm in Fort Valley, Pearson left behind a career in law to return to the land he grew up on — bringing fresh perspective, technical insight and a deep respect for the rhythms of farming. Nicknamed the “peach whisperer” by colleagues, he’s not only stewarding one of Georgia’s oldest peach and pecan operations, he is also positioning it for long-term sustainability through smarter practices, innovation and a forward-thinking mindset.

A return to the land

After growing up on the family farm, Lawton says he attended law school as a backup plan but returned to the family farm in 2004 to join his father in continuing the family’s peach and pecan legacy.

“I grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, not necessarily a great time for peaches,” he said. “So I came into this with a lot of caution, knowing it could go sideways. Luckily, I had the time and opportunity to do something else first.”

With their son’s return, the family made the decision to divide operations so father and son could explore new directions while honoring the farm’s history.

“I like to think of the process as walking forward with your head to the side, looking back,” Pearson said. “We’re still growing some of the same peaches from 100 years ago — and they knew how to grow them back then. The fundamentals haven’t changed much.”

While peaches and pecans might be familiar, Pearson is always looking for smart, strategic updates to help the farm remain efficient, resilient and competitive.

“We’ve adopted a lot of technology, particularly in packaging. We used to hydro-cool with ice; now we use ammonia refrigeration and cold rooms,” he said. “Sorters have been a change — we grade peaches with machines now instead of by hand and eye. That’s huge.”

Digital food safety tracking, iPads for employees and infrastructure upgrades are just a few examples of how Pearson Farm is embracing progress without compromising its identity, Pearson says.

“My grandfather wouldn’t recognize a lot of what we do, but if he walked into one of our orchards, he’d know exactly what we were doing because by and large we’re doing the exact same thing we did 100 years ago,” he said.

Challenges and opportunities for next-generation farmers

When it comes to opportunities and challenges for the next generation of farmers, particularly those in specialty crops like peaches and pecans, Pearson sees both promise and complexity for the future of specialty crop farming.

One opportunity he says is through connectivity with customers through social media.

“We now know who eats our peaches — and we know when they don’t like them,” he said. “That connection brings opportunities for more specialization and vertical integration. We can pack in 2-pound bags, clamshells, new formats, but that’s also a huge challenge.”

What used to be packaged in large boxes now gets divided into consumer-friendly packaging, a shift that requires more labor, time and precision.

“Peaches don’t wait,” Pearson said. “They’re not industrialized. They’re delicate, seasonal and labor intensive. If you can make that model work, great. But it’s hard, and it keeps a lot of people out of this business.”

Labor remains one of the biggest concerns for specialty crop growers, he said.

“Securing seasonal labor for such an intense job is one of the hardest parts,” Pearson said. “It’s high skill, high speed work. That alone is a barrier to entry for many.”

Honoring the past doesn’t mean standing still, he said. At Pearson Farm, tradition and innovation grow side by side.

Georgia spring and summer crops yield good news

Thu, 22 May 2025 21:08:01 GMT

More than 30 kinds of fruits and vegetables are produced in Georgia each year, and growers are sharing positive reports on the latest harvests.

“We are expecting a very good crop across all of our spring and summer fruits and vegetables,” said Matthew Kulinski, director of marketing for the Georgia Department of Agriculture. “Blueberries and peaches all look good in early spring, and we’re hoping for a great season with watermelons and sweet corn as well.”

Corbett Brothers Farms

Lake Park, Ga.-based Corbett Brothers Farms LLC offered watermelon and sweet corn for the first time last year and will bring them back this summer, said Justin Corbett, a partner in the company with his brother, Jared. Both products performed well, he said, and will start up for summer on May 20. They’ll be available until July 4.

The company has already started harvesting squash, cucumbers, bell pepper and specialty peppers and will launch an eggplant program on May 20. The summer season will end around the Fourth of July, and the fall season will kick off in early September with the same commodities.

This growing season in Georgia has been unusually dry, Corbett said.

“We haven’t had much measurable rain for the last month or so,” he said. But with drip irrigation, the company is able to manage its water successfully.

Temperatures have been moderate for the area, too.

“It’s about 85 degrees — perfect growing conditions right now,” Corbett said May 7.

“I’m expecting exceptional quality on everything,” he said, adding that volume should be normal this season.

Troy Bland, CEO of Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms, checks out some the company’s Vidalia sweet onions. Although there were a few chilly days and even a light snowfall during the winter, the Vidalia sweet onion crop bounced back, and the company ended up with a great harvest, he says.

(Photo courtesy of Bland Farms)

Bland Farms

Glennville, Ga.-based Bland Farms finished its Vidalia onion harvest in early May and was planting Sand Candy sweetpotatoes in Georgia and North Carolina, said CEO Troy Bland.

“We are pleased to be able to offer sweetpotatoes year round, especially as there has been a shortage,” he said.

Although there were a few chilly days and even a light snowfall this winter, the Vidalia sweet onion crop bounced back, and the company ended up with a great harvest, he said. The firm had a bumper crop last year, but this season will be more typical.

When the Vidalia sweet onion season ends in August, Bland Farms will transition to its Peru premium sweet onion program, which will last through February. Then, the sweet onion deal will move to Mexico.

The company also sources sweet onions from Nevada and California.

“We continue to offer promotable volumes of sweet onions year round,” Bland said.

Bland Farms offers organic as well as conventionally grown sweet onions and added a laser weeder to its organic Vidalia sweet onion fields, he said.

“We are testing out two units that help eliminate weeds faster, cut down on labor and promote faster growth,” Bland said. “It’s just another way we’re investing in sustainability, which is a core value for the company.”

As part of its Vidalia promotion, Bland Farms launched its Savor Summer’s Sweetest Moments campaign to build brand awareness and celebrate the season.

The company gave away VIP tickets to see country music singer Clint Black at the Vidalia Onion Festival and has even more in mind, including fresh summer recipes, a curated sweet summer playlist and engaging social media content, he said.

And to support its retail partners and their marketing efforts, Bland Farms developed a retail toolkit, complete with images and ready-to-use social media content.

“We’re continuing to expand and enhance this resource so they can easily incorporate it into their advertising and social channels,” Bland said.

Workers put up Vidalia sweet onions for Shuman Farms, Reidsville, Ga. The company will ship Vidalia onions in its RealSweet and Mr. Buck’s Farm Fresh bags through Labor Day, says John Shuman, president and CEO.

(Photo courtesy of Shuman Farms)

Shuman Farms

Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms, will ship Vidalia onions in its RealSweet and Mr. Buck’s Farm Fresh bags through Labor Day, said John Shuman, president and CEO.

“Despite weather challenges during the growing period, our crop looks good with good quality and size profiles,” Shuman said. “We are encouraging our retailer partners to support the season both bag and bulk promotions.”

Shuman Farms plans to continue to build on the momentum the company has created over the past four years through its Shuman Farms University initiative, Shuman said.

“Educating our retailer partners’ produce teams about Vidalia onions has been a priority for us, and this year we’re refreshing our digital content and resources to take that to the next level,” he said.

Educational-focused initiatives have included its lunch-and-learns, Vidalia 101 content and an interactive Vidalia quiz. All are designed to enhance produce team knowledge of the sweet onion category and Vidalia onions, Shuman said.

“Our refreshed program for 2025 takes edutainment to the next level by making the content more accessible, engaging and fun,” he added.

Shuman Farms also works closely
with its retail partners to develop customized marketing programs, in-store promotions and digital content that are intended to help drive category sales, according to Shuman.

“We’re also looking forward to leveraging our expanded infrastructure following our Generation Farms acquisition (in 2023), which has given us the ability to increase our storage, packing capacity and overall efficiency,” he said.

Land of opportunity: Carolina growers thrive with diverse crops and conditions

Mon, 19 May 2025 21:06:52 GMT

The Carolinas are unique states for growing fresh produce. The region represents a lot of climate and topographical diversity in a small space. Whether north or south, this diversity forces growers to be creative, adaptable and future-focused to meet evolving consumer demands in the face of sometimes unforgiving settings.

North Carolina boasts several high ranks across different types of fresh produce. It is the nation’s top producer of sweetpotatoes, its official state vegetable, for example. According to 2023 cash receipts (most recent complete USDA data), the state ranked fifth in the nation for blueberries, fresh and processing cucumbers and peanuts; sixth in the nation for other cucumbers, bell peppers and pumpkins; and seventh in the nation for squash and watermelons.

The state’s success with many different produce owes a lot to its physical variety.

“North Carolina is so fortunate and blessed that we have so many different topographies and soil types, as well as climate zones, in our singular state,” said Michelle Grainger, executive director of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission.

Producers use this variety to their benefit. The folks at Happy Dirt, a produce distribution company with 16 farmer owners across the state, gave the example of their lettuce farms distributed across the state for strategic purposes.

“We’ve been utilizing the topography of having some mountain farms to extend our season,” said Alex Borst, purchasing manager for Happy Dirt. “We’ve got a good, solid, late-April-to-mid-June lettuce program now.”

South Carolina peaches benefit from having adequate chill hours, the conditions for which emerge with the state’s hot, humid summers and cool winters with a lot of moisture in the air, says Blakely Atkinson, executive director of the South Carolina Peach Council.

(Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture)

Not to be outdone, South Carolinian growers take pride in the variety their state brings to the southeast.

“We are a small state, but we do so much,” said Eva Moore, communications director for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, adding that the state has a broad produce portfolio. “And, of course, we’re the ‘Tastier Peach State.’”

In 2023, South Carolina was second in the nation for peaches, sixth for peanuts and eighth for watermelons. That said, the state also grows crops rarely tracked by USDA, such as turnip greens and collards.

The South Carolinian claim of being the tastier peach state stems from its unique climate. Blakely Atkinson, executive director of the South Carolina Peach Council, explained that peach trees need a certain number of chill hours to set fruit and heat to make that fruit sweet. South Carolina gets that, she said, with hot, humid summers and cool winters with a lot of moisture in the air.

Weather woes add up

Produce growers in the Carolinas have been hard-hit lately from a series of extreme weather events. For example, those cold winters needed for peach setting went a bit overboard in 2023 when a late-season cold snap resulted in 70% crop loss.

“That was the state estimation loss,” Atkinson said. “Some people were able to squeak by, but some were hit worse. One of my growers had a 99% crop loss.”

Last year also saw some extreme weather events that greatly affected Carolina producers. Grainger called it a brutal year.

“North Carolina was just battered from the mountains to the sea and everywhere in between,” she said, explaining that right after the sweetpotato crop was transplanted, the state got hit with drought.

“Then we had three storms: Hurricane Debbie, Tropical Cyclone Eight and the tail end of Hurricane Helene,” Grainger said. “We had all the conditions that you could possibly have between the months of June and November, and it netted us a loss of anywhere between 40% to 45% of yield.”

Sim McIver, assistant director of domestic marketing at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, estimated 2024’s extreme weather cost North Carolina agriculture $5 billion. The disasters wiped out fields and destroyed infrastructure throughout the state.

Some operations were relatively lucky, however. Tendwell Farm co-owner Steven Beltram said that its packing shed was spared. While the company had a lot of equipment damage, it was repairable. The roads and bridges are back in place in the area, and tractor trailers can get in and out of the packing house again.

“We were very fortunate in that none of our fields were permanently damaged,” Beltram said.

North Carolina’s diversity in topography, soil and climate benefit growing areas throughout the state. “We’ve been utilizing the topography of having some mountain farms to extend our season,” said Alex Borst, purchasing manager for Happy Dirt. “We’ve got a good, solid, late-April to mid-June lettuce program now.”

(Photo courtesy of Happy Dirt)

Diverse varieties, growing methods

The increased demand for more variety, be that new crops, new growing styles or new varieties of familiar crops, and growers rising to meet that demand was a constant thread across the Carolinas.

“We are seeing producers investing in produce, putting their energy there and diversifying,” Moore said.

She highlighted that vegetable acreage in South Carolina expanded dramatically since the last Census of Agriculture. Taylor Holenbeck, grower services coordinator for Happy Dirt, said there has been a movement in growing organic vegetables in the South, in general.

But the trend for more diversity isn’t just relegated to vegetables. Both McIver and Moore noted growth in berry interest, strawberries specifically in North Carolina and berries overall in South Carolina.

“Berry sales by South Carolina producers more than tripled between 2017 and 2022, from $13 million to $44.3 million,” Moore explained, adding that a group of growers recently founded the South Carolina Small Fruit Growers Association. “Some of our large farms have been adding small fruit to diversify.”

Several of the groups The Packer spoke to highlighted plans for expanding into new crops or expanding existing variety due to increased demand. The farms that Happy Dirt works with planted more acres of organic strawberries this year, for example. Holenbeck said the company is working with smaller farms to grow specialty eggplant, cherry tomatoes and specialty peppers.

“We’re just trying to really up our specialty game with our smaller farms so our larger farms can crank out the volume items we need,” Holenbeck said. “We’re increasing acreage in micro ways on these smaller, hyperspecialty products. That’s been really exciting.”

Consumer interest in new varieties of familiar crops has been strong lately in the Carolinas as well. Interest in sweetpotato varieties is growing, for example, especially for the purple-skinned, white-fleshed murasaki varietal.

Grainger said this push for different varieties started in the culinary world, then got picked up by social media influencers. She also cited the impact of the Netflix’s series “The Blue Zone,” which focused on areas of the world where populations live exceptionally long lives.

“The very first episode of this series was in Japan and within the first few minutes of that episode they were talking about the purple sweetpotato,” she said. “The individuals being interviewed expressed how important that sweetpotato is to their daily diet and they were attributing their longevity to it.”

Sweetpotatoes aren’t the only crop with growing varietal interest from consumers. Atkinson noted that consumers are also inquiring more about different peach varieties.

“We live in a society that is constantly wanting to learn, and consumers are really concerned about where their food is coming from,” she said. “So, they are asking questions and want to be educated on their food, and that’s great.”

A focus on sustainable produce

Expanding into new crops and new varieties aren’t the only ways Carolina growers are trying to serve their consumers better. New, different and more sustainable packaging that caters to customer needs was a frequently cited trend.

“Simplicity and affordability are huge with today’s consumers,” said McIver. “Simple recipes and affordable price options; pre-cut, ready-to -eat produce is gaining popularity. Any kind of value-added time-savers.”

The Nashville, N.C.-based fresh produce packer, shipper and marketer Nash Produce aims to meet those convenience needs.

“That’s where some of these new packaging strategies come in handy,” said Robin Narron, marketing director and sales support for Nash Produce. “For example, if you have a family of two, it’s easy to just grab two sweetpotatoes. But if you have a family of four, you can grab our 4-pack. You don’t have to sort through the bulk bin and worry about different cook times because ours are electronically sized to be as consistent as possible.”

Narron said the company strives to cater to the needs of its customers, be they the end consumer or retail customers.

“We have to do what’s popular in different areas. In some regions, for example, the larger sweetpotatoes are more popular, while in other areas, the smaller size are more popular,” she said. “So, we try to deliver whatever our customer base needs. If it’s something that we don’t have, we try to innovate something that would work for them.”

For Happy Dirt, changes in the way it packages its sweetpotatoes have not only served its customers but also its growers.

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve really worked on our packaged sweetpotato program. Our 3-pound bags have been really successful,” Holenbeck said. “It’s
really helped our farmers, because they can put their smaller potatoes in those bags. Before, they would often just leave them in the field and not even pick them up because they couldn’t sell them. So, we’ve created, not necessarily a new market, but a new market for our farmers.”

Making better use of a harvest through packaging strategies is one way to improve sustainability. Some groups reported addressing sustainability issues directly with packaging, however.

“At Nash Produce, we are constantly working on sustainability projects,” said Narron. Part of this is innovation with packaging materials. “We’re trying to branch out into more eco-friendly packaging materials. Trying to get away from Styrofoam trays and trying to bring in more disposable or biodegradable packaging materials.”

Beltram observed another interesting sustainability-minded trend in his area among his neighbors.

“I don’t know if it’s on account of what we’re doing, but over the past 15 years, a lot of the conventional growers starting to incorporate sustainable practices,” he said.

Beltram said he’s started seeing a lot of conventional growers in his area starting to incorporate cover crops, something the all-organic Tendwell is proud of.

He also spoke about a different sustainability issue: the continuation of agriculture in the area. With Tendwell being a first-generation farm, this is a near-and-dear issue.

“Here in the mountains you see a lot of older folks who have been doing what they’re doing for a long time. As they’re starting to age out and they’re doing less farming, there’s not much of a new generation coming on,” he said. “So, we have a lot of really supportive neighbors. They are really happy about what we’re doing.”

Tendwell Farm has found that increased diversity of crops helps them meet consumer’s evolving demands.

(Photo courtesy of Tendwell Farm)

A look to the future

Tendwell is installing an optical sorter to speed up tomato sorting this summer.

“So, that should give our grape tomato pack a little more uniformity as far as sizing and color goes,” Beltram said. “We’re pretty excited about putting that machine in place this summer.”

Happy Dirt is also looking forward to infrastructure changes at its farms.

Borst said the company has been conducting trials on high and low tunnels. The trials have suggested ways tunnels can be used to mitigate the threats of disease and weather, extending their seasons on various specialty crops and increasing the consistency of the crops, said Holenbeck, adding that increasing infrastructure at the farms is a goal this summer.

For South Carolina peaches, the near future will mean spreading the goodness.

“New this year is the expansion of exports,” Atkinson said. “One of our larger farms has already been exporting to Mexico, but there has been expansion this year, and I think that is something that is pretty exciting.”

She added that expansion of export into Canada was also something the South Carolina peach industry is working on. “We’re already up there, but to say that we’re still growing is really something.”

South Carolina at large has also been working on recent and new efforts to connect local growers with consumers. Moore noted the recently launched Certified South Carolina Showcase, which just held its third annual event in late March.

“It grew out of a smaller effort to get growers and buyers in the same room, but we expanded it, and now it’s held at the big convention center here in Columbia,” she said. “It’s producers who are part of our big Certified South Carolina branding program, and they exhibit trade-show style.”

She also said the state is working on a portal for school food authorities to find and connect with local producers.

“Farms and producers that are looking to scale up and be able to serve markets in their communities often are interested in working with schools, so we are going to have an interface where that can happen,” Moore said. “It will be a portal where producers and distributors can list what they have available and their contact information, and on the other side school food authorities can make those connections.”

In both Carolinas, the emphasis on growing research is strong.

“Historically, the South has been largely ignored when it comes to developing varieties for our climate specifically,” Holenbeck explained. That has changed recently with the growing demand for growing produce, especially organic produce, in the southeast.”

“One of the reasons why North Carolina is as strong as we are in sweetpotato production is because of our growers and their close relationship with the research institutions,” Grainger said. She pointed to work at institutions such as North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T, the University of Mount Olive and across the Cooperative Extension System.

“North Carolina has an incredible Cooperative Extension Program that spans our entire state; all 100 counties have an office,” she said. “Our growers work side by side with individuals from each of these institutions, and they adopt research, they provide facilities and work with those who are trying to promote and progress the industry.”

Research efforts, both public and in private companies, are strong in South Carolina as well to find varieties that work for the state’s climate, Moore said, pointing to examples of heat-tolerant butter beans and peach varieties that can withstand the warmer weather of summers in the South.

“The climate here is, for lack of a better word, very volatile,” Holenbeck said. “To be adaptable within that is very important for our farmers and the longevity and sustainability of growing in the southeast.”

Prima Wawona files for bankruptcy

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 19:56:40 GMT

Prima Wawona, atone fruit producer based in Fresno, Calif., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Oct. 13, 2023, citing in a statement “significant headwinds, including increased costs and weather-related impacts, that have combined to make our existing capital structure unsustainable.”

Coming on the heels of the company’s largest 2023 stone fruit season harvest to date, Prima Wawona said it hopes to sell the business through the bankruptcy proceedings. With the support of its current owner Paine Schwartz Partners, the company is seeking a third-party sale or a conversion of existing lender debt into equity ownership.

“Over the course of this year, we proactively evaluated options intended to enable us to build on our leading market position, our efficient and sustainable farming practices and our history as an employer of choice,” Prima Wawona CEO John Boken said in a news release. “We are pleased that our lenders have reached an agreement and fully support this ownership transition that charts a path forward to strengthen Prima Wawona and position the business for long-term success.”

Related news: California still leads the pack in peaches despite steady decline

The court-supervised process allows for the possibility that a third-party buyer will emerge as the owner of the business as an alternative to our lenders, Boken continued.

“The entire Prima Wawona organization is focused on working through this process as quickly as possible,” he said.

Founded in 2019 as the product of a Gerawan Farming and Wawona Packing merger, Prima Wawona is seeking to continue serving its customers in the company’s next chapter, the release said. As such, Prima Wawona has filed for court approval to continue its operations, pay its more than 8,000 employees and to serve customers through the entire transition process.

What’s more, the company confirmed in a statement that it intends to pay vendors for the goods and services provided on or after the filing date.

Related news: Later start but good quality expected for California tree fruit, melons

“As we move forward, we are committed to our industry-leading farming practices and continuing to provide the high-quality stone fruit for which Prima Wawona is known,” Boken said in the release. “We thank our customers and partners for their ongoing support, and we look forward to continuing to serve them. We are grateful to the entire Prima Wawona team for their hard work and dedication at this important time in the history of our company.”

Vendors and customers can learn more, access resources and review frequently asked questions on Prima Wawona’s site.

California still leads the pack in peaches despite steady decline

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 19:00:35 GMT

While Georgia often comes to mind as the platonic ideal of peach country to many, California is the largest peach producing state by far, growing almost three-quarters of all peaches in the U.S., according to the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service.

In 2022 alone, California harvested 475,000 tons of peaches. Trailing behind in second was South Carolina, yielding only 67,400 tons, and Georgia in third with production at 24,800 tons, according to a recent USDA Economic Research Service report.

Related news: With Georgia production down, peaches are pricier

Understanding declines in peach production

Even though California leads the country in peach harvest, its production has been trending lower for almost two decades, contributing to an overall decline in U.S. peach production. According to USDA’s NASS, peach volumes have been dropping in California since 2014, when 620,000 were reported harvested. The decline appears to have stabilized slightly in the past year, increasing in 2023 from 480,000 tons, up from 475,000 tons in 2022, according to NASS.

Compounding domestic production declines earlier this year, Georgia and South Carolina peaches experienced challenging weather conditions that included unseasonably warm weather in late winter followed by late spring cold snaps. Unprecedented wet and cold weather also contributed to a later start of California’s peach season, culminating in lower yields overall for domestic peaches in 2023.

Related: Later start but good quality expected for California tree fruit, melons

Total domestic peach production in 2022 was estimated at 625,680 tons, 8% smaller than the crop in 2019. In 2022, California’s peach harvest was about 5% smaller than in 2019 and nearly 27% lower than 10 years earlier.

Looking ahead, the latest reports from USDA’s NASS forecast 2023 total peach production to be 13% lower than in 2022.

Video series peeks behind the barn door, sharing ups and downs straight from farmers

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:42:27 GMT

San Joaquin Valley-based fresh produce marketing company Homegrown Organic Farms will take viewers into the fields this spring in a YouTube series launching Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

“Grown By” follows four farmers through their respective seasons, offering education and a peek behind the barn door along the way, according to a news release.

“There is nothing quite like the ‘Grown By’ series out there. To hear from growers in real time and experience things as they are farming day to day,” Scott Mabs, CEO of Homegrown Organic Farms, said in the release. “Our hope with this series is for customers and consumers alike to connect with and better understand not only where their fruit comes from, but the people that cultivate it.”

Where to watch

“Grown By” debuts Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. PST on Homegrown Organic Farms’ YouTube channel . Following the launch, viewers can catch weekly episode uploads every Friday, according to the release.

“We are excited to share our grower’s stories in a different way,” Elise Smith, Homegrown Organic Farm’s marketing manager, said in the release. “This series gives viewers the chance to engage with our growers in a unique setting, and each episode will feel like a visit to the farm.”

Related news: In extreme weather, organic farming produces higher yields, report says

Meet the farmers

The series profiles four Homegrown Farms growers: the Peterson family, Agustin Cardenas, France Ranch and the Pipco Fruit Co.

Vern and Erik Peterson grow tree fruit for Homegrown Organic Farms, including peaches, plums, nectarines and persimmons. A multigenerational farm, the Petersons carry on a long-lasting family dedication to soil health and farmworker fairness, achieving the first Equitable Food Initiative certification for a stone fruit farm. Additionally, the Petersons recently achieved the Regenerative Organic Certification at the Gold level, the highest level.

Agustin Cardenas was introduced to farming by working in the fields when he moved from Mexico to the U.S. in 1984. Agustin’s passion for growing fruit led him to lease and later purchase the land from his employer’s ranch. Agustin’s stone fruit farm is EFI certified and is working towards ROC certification in the 2023 stone fruit season.

John and Cindy France of France Ranch founded Homegrown Organic Farms in 1998. They also were among the first growers in California to become organic certified in 1989. France Ranch grows EFI-certified organic grapes and citrus for Homegrown Organic Farms.

Pipco Fruit’s Paul family has farmed stone fruit in California’s Central Valley for more than 70 years. As the fourth generation farming, John Paul continues the family legacy, growing organic stone fruit for Homegrown Organic Farms. His father, Homegrown Organic Farms Category Director Stephen Paul, joins his son in this inspiring profile.

FDA ends probe of Listeria outbreak in peaches, nectarines

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 21:50:55 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration says a voluntary recall of conventionally grown peaches, plums and nectarines by HMC Farms is now over .

HMC Farms recalled the fruit sold in both November 2022 and November 2023.

The FDA said it initiated an inspection and collected environmental samples from the packing facilities. Two environmental sub-samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The FDA said a genome sequencing analysis confirmed the strain of Listeria found in the positive sub-samples matched the same strain of Listeria involved in the outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 11 illnesses in seven states, 10 hospitalizations and one death . The CDC said its last specimen collection was Aug. 16, 2023.

Titan Farms launches revamped website

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 19:48:17 GMT

Titan Farms , a grower, packer and shipper of fresh peaches and vegetables, has a new-look website designed to be an immersive hub for fresh and flavorful peaches.

“We are delighted to unveil the new Titan Farms website, a digital platform that truly embodies our commitment to delivering not just the finest peaches, but also an engaging and educational experience for our customers,” Titan Farms Vice President Lori Anne Carr said in a news release. “Our website isn’t just about showcasing our exceptional peaches, it’s also about sharing the passion, dedication and expertise that goes into every aspect of all we do.”

Titan Farms says key features of its new website include:

Peach recipes — The website has a variety of peach recipes, ranging from classic favorites to innovative culinary creations. Whether a seasoned chef or a novice cook, visitors can find a recipe that suits their taste and skill level, the release said.
Nutrition facts — The website provides nutrition facts for each of the products, empowering consumers to make healthy decisions that align with their wellness goals, according to the company.
Meet the team — Behind every perfectly ripe peach, there’s a dedicated team of experts working tirelessly to bring the best to your table. Get to know the faces and various starting points of team members who cultivate and deliver produce.
Interactive timeline — Visitors can get immersed in a dynamic homepage feature — an interactive timeline that guides visitors through Titan Farms’ journey, the release said. User-friendly navigation, captivating visuals and user-friendly elements that simplify the exploration of the peach farming process, the company said.
Titan brands — Explore the range of packaging options under the Titan Brand, from boxes to clamshells, baskets and more. Titan Farms is catering to its customers’ needs while enticing them to indulge in fresh peaches, the release said.

With the new website, customers can expect an immersive digital experience that goes beyond shopping for produce, according to Titan Farms, which added that it’s about fostering a deeper connection with food and the people who cultivate it.

Related link: Titan Farms’ new website

Later start but good quality expected for California tree fruit, melons

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:26:10 GMT

Despite record rain, snow and some unusually cold weather this winter, California should have plenty of good-quality tree fruit, melons and other commodities this summer.

However, some items might get off to a later start than usual, and early volume on others may be off a bit.

“We had a lot of rain, but the rain really didn’t do any damage at all,” said Levon Ganajian, vice president of retail relations for Fresno, Calif.-based Trinity Fruit Sales Co. “We think the front end of the program is going to be light, but not very much.”

Early volume of peaches and nectarines will be off because rain prevented bees from pollinating the flowers, Ganajian said.

“Even when the flowers were out, the bees weren’t able to pollinate,” he said.

Ganajian was optimistic about the later part of the season.

“Once we get past the early part of the season in May and into the bulk of the season in June, July and August, we expect full crops and good volume on everything,” he said.

The combination of ample water, plenty of chill hours and little stress on the trees should result in good quality and good sizing.

An early freeze affected the apricot crop, so it will get a later start. Supplies during May will be lighter than usual.

“We’ll have promotable volume in June into the first part of September,” Ganajian said.

California’s melon crop escaped the wrath of the state’s cold, rainy winter, said Garrett Patricio, president of Firebaugh, Calif.-based Westside Produce . Patricio also is chairman of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board and serves on the California Melon Research Board.

Though the California melon industry has had a reduction in acreage over the past 20 years, things seem to have stabilized during the past five years, he said. Volume has stayed the same, even as some acreage has fallen off.

“We’ve gotten much better with agronomy and farming practices,” he said. “While acres are decreasing, total volumes have managed to stay the same because yields are better.”

He said he expected to see as many cantaloupes, honeydews and mixed melons planted in 2022 as in 2023.

As with other commodities, the season may get a later start than usual for California’s Imperial Valley spring melon deal and the Westside summer program.

“We may not see an early May or a mid-May start,” Patricio said.

A late-May kickoff seemed more likely.

“I anticipate there will be some gaps throughout the spring, summer and fall based on the weather, water and environmental impacts we’ve seen,” he said.

Westside Produce recently joined with Fresno-based Classic Fruit Co. to offer melons year-round.

Fresno-based Crown Jewels Produce will start its melon program in late April, said salesman Stephen Thomason. The company offers cantaloupes, honeydews and watermelons as well as grapes, pears and pomegranates. All commodities will start 10-14 days later than usual because of rain and cold weather, he said, but size and quality should be good. Volume should be similar to last year.

Grapes will start middle to late May, pears will get underway the second week of July and pomegranates in September.

Chilean stone fruit committee forecasts a 15% increase in volume

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 18:57:50 GMT

Chilean stone fruit growers and exporters believe that total overall exports will reach 35.3 million boxes in 2023-24, an increase of 15% over last season.

The Frutas de Chile Stone Fruit Committee has released a new estimate (including nectarines, Japanese plums, European plums and peaches), compiled with input from 44 companies, representing 84% of Chile’s global stone fruit exports last season, according to a news release.

The committee just launched a retail-focused marketing campaign in the U.S., working with retailers nationwide to drive sales of nectarines and plums, according to the release.

“There are significant opportunities for retailers to build winter stone fruit sales,” Karen Brux, North America managing director of Frutas de Chile, said in the release. “We’re developing in-store radio ads, demo programs, digital coupons, online videos, and other tactics to showcase nectarines and plums’ great flavor and nutrition.”

Promotions are ongoing and will continue into April, the release said.

Estimates for specific categories are as follows, according to the release:

Nectarines — 11.5 million 8-kilogram boxes; 13% growth from last season. The committee noted strong growth in white-flesh nectarines; projected increase of 26%, representing 60% of total nectarine volume.
Yellow-flesh nectarine volume is expected to decline by 2%, and now accounts for 40% of total nectarine volume, the committee said.
Japanese Plums: 13 million 7-kilogram equivalent boxes; 16% growth from last season.
Red plums are expected to grow by 7% and black plums by 15%, according to the committee.
European Plums/Sugar Plums/D’Agen (exported primarily to Asia) — 8 million 9-kilogram boxes; 23% growth from last season.
Peaches — 2.8 million 8-kilogram boxes, a decrease of 1% compared to last season.

N.J. Department of Ag marks start of Jersey Fresh peach harvest

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 21:59:34 GMT

New Jersey’s peach harvest is officially underway. To mark the occasion, New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Doug Fisher visited Larchmont Farms in Upper Pittsgrove, N.J., where he highlighted the Jersey Fresh peach harvest.

“The New Jersey peach industry is having a great crop this year, and we encourage people to ask for this fabulous fruit at their favorite farm stand, farm market or supermarket,” Fisher said in a news release. “When you buy Jersey Fresh you are showing your support of our farmers in the Garden State.”

Larchmont Farms is a 12th-generation farm owned by Tom Dunn and Charles and Keith Haines. Located on more than 800 acres, the farm grows high-quality peaches and other fruits, the release said. Larchmont Farms runs its entire operation on solar power and has all of its fruit packed in boxes that are made from 100% recycled paper, according to the release.

“The season is off to a great start, and we are anticipating an outstanding year,” Charles Haines said in the release. “The weather we have had so far has been what we need. We take great pride in the steps we’ve taken in making our operation environmentally friendly and plan to continue a family business that started in colonial times.”

Related: Spreading the word about ‘Jersey Fresh’

New Jersey is one of the nation’s top growers of peaches, ranking in the top five in production in the U.S. most years, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Producers annually harvest approximately 60 million pounds with a wholesale value of about $35 million on nearly 4,000 acres.

All of New Jersey’s peach crop is sold to the fresh market via supermarkets, farm markets, specialty produce stores, you-pick operations, and community farmers markets. Jersey peaches are shipped all over the eastern U.S. and eastern Canada.

According to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, yellow flesh comprises 90% of Jersey peaches, white flesh makes up 4%, yellow and white flesh nectarines are 6% and the newer doughnut, or flat peaches, make up less than 1%.

Related: New Jersey harvests expected to exceed last year

The first peach variety of New Jersey’s season is Sentry, followed by Gala, Flavorcrest, Loring and Red Haven, the release said. Next is the John Boy season followed by the Crest Haven, Gloria, Jersey Queen and Fayette varieties. The Encore and Laurol varieties wrap up the state’s peach season in mid-to-late September. White peaches are expected to begin shipping around the end of July and continue through mid-September.

Visit Find Jersey Fresh to learn what is available and where to buy Jersey Fresh items.

Related: Digging deeper into New Jersey’s organic produce history

Peaches, onions and carrots thrive in Colorado

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:54:07 GMT

Carrots are in full swing in Colorado, some onions will start shipping in mid-September and Palisade peaches are winding down for the season, grower-shippers say.

“It was a weird year,” said Jordan Hungenberg, CEO at Hungenberg Produce Inc., Greeley, Colo.

Early wet weather set the company’s carrot crop behind by about two weeks.

The crop looked “very nice” in late August, though, as the company packed 600,000 to 700,000 pounds of carrots every day.

“We are packing every kind of carrots you can imagine,” Hungenberg said.

Hungenberg Produce specializes in conventional and organic cello and baby carrots but also puts up specialty packs like shredded carrots, matchsticks, coin cuts, chips and snack packs.

Besides servicing its Colorado customers, the company ships to surrounding states like Utah, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota, as well as Chicago, Phoenix, Florida and Maine, he said.

The company has had particular success with organic carrots.

“They’re a big deal, in Colorado especially,” Hungenberg said.

Demand for carrots tends to pick up in fall, when the weather cools, he said.

“Everybody eats a few more carrots,” he said. “We’re looking forward to that.”

Fagerberg Produce Co. Inc., Eaton, Colo., began harvesting onion transplants in late August and expected to kick off its direct-seed onion harvest in early September, said Colby Cantwell, sales manager.

“They’re looking really good,” he said.

The harvested onions will cure for a while, and shipping should start by mid-September.

The company offers white, yellow and red onions along with Colorado Sweets, which “seem to grow in popularity all the time,” Cantwell said.

Harvest will continue until mid-October, and onions will ship out of storage until mid-March.

Growing conditions were cool and wet in May and June, Cantwell said. “But when July got here, we pretty much had ideal temperatures the rest of the way.”

Quality has been good, he added.

Fagerberg Produce installed a new palletizer this year to speed up the packing process and continues to look at additional labor-saving equipment for the packing shed, he said.

Talbott Farms Inc., Palisade, Colo., continues to recover from an October 2020 freeze that knocked out a large part of its peach crop, said Charlie Talbott, a partner at the company with brothers Bruce and Nathan.

The company has replaced about 50,000 trees that were killed during the freeze.

“The good news is, we had a lot of young [trees] that were not severely damaged,” Talbott said.

This is the first year that volume is back to the level of the 2019 crop.

“That’s encouraging,” he said.

Replants will probably increase volume by 25% over the next few years, he added.

This year’s crop was running five to seven days behind schedule and should be finished by Sept. 27, he said.

Talbott said he was pleased with the quality of the peaches and the packouts.

“We had a great spring for growing,” he said. “It was cool and mild through June.”

When its peach crop is finished, Talbott Farms kicks off its wine grape program, which launched in 2000.

The firm also grows a few red and green table grapes from late August until mid-September “just for fun,” Talbott said. They’re not sold commercially, but they’re available at Talbott Farms’ retail market.

USDA plans to purchase fresh peaches, nectarines and plums

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:18:51 GMT

The USDA plans to purchase fresh peaches, nectarines and plums for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.

Solicitations will be issued in the near future and will be available electronically through the Web-Based Supply Chain Management system, according to a news release. A hard copy of the solicitation will not be available.

Purchases will be made under the authority of Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act, the release said.

The contract type is anticipated to be firm-fixed-price. Deliveries are expected to be to various locations in the U.S. on a fob destination basis.

Pursuant to Agricultural Acquisition Regulation 470.103(b), commodities and the products of agricultural commodities acquired under this contract must be a product of the U.S. and shall be considered such a product if it is grown, processed and otherwise prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the U.S., the USDA said.

Inquiries may be directed to contract specialist Nick Wiber at Nick.Wiber@usda.gov.

Related link: View the USDA’s pre-solicitation announcement

Pandemic kills Cold Connect service serving Western shippers

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:00:04 GMT

Cold Connect, a Union Pacific Railroad program that shipped fresh produce and other perishables across the country, has fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program, a service through Union Pacific’s Loop Logistics subsidiary, moved fresh products including apples and onions . Union Pacific offered the service in 2017, when the company acquired the assets of Railex, renaming the refrigerated transport service Cold Connect.

Union Pacific notified employees on May 8 that Cold Connect was closing down permanently and all positions had been eliminated, according to a statement from the railroad.

May 8 was the last day Cold Connect accepted inbound orders.

“This decision was not made lightly,” according to the statement. “Since acquiring the Railex assets in 2017, employees diligently worked to grow volumes and create a platform for the future; however, with COVID-19 impacting volume and truck prices, it is no longer sustainable to continue operations.”

The service carried fresh produce from western terminals in Delano., Calif. , and Wallula, Wash. , and delivered them to Union Pacific’s warehouse in Rotterdam, N.Y.
According to the Cold Connect website, the service was designed to also move pears , potatoes , citrus , broccoli , stone fruit and cantaloupes .

To see more coverage of how the pandemic is affecting the industry, see The Packer’s COVID-19 webpage .

Related stories:

Union Pacific expands cross-country shipments

Union Pacific acquires Railex assets

California grower-shippers embracing Railex

Marketscope — Fruit f.o.b.s as of June 1

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:37:40 GMT

Apples

YAKIMA VALLEY AND WENATCHEE DISTRICT WASHINGTON 2019 CROP — Shipments (1,146-1,149-992, Includes exports 261-265-269) — Movement expected about the same. Trading Active. Prices Generally Unchanged. Washington Extra Fancy Carton tray pack Red Delicious 72-88s mostly 14.00-16.00, 100-113s mostly 13.00-15.00; Golden Delicious fine appearance 72s mostly 25.00-28.00, 80s mostly 24.00-26.00, 88s mostly 22.00-26.00, 100s mostly 18.00-22.00; Fuji 64-88s mostly 18.00-20.00, 100s mostly 16.00-18.00, 113s mostly 14.00-17.00; Granny Smith 64s mostly 18.00-20.00, 72-80s mostly 18.00-22.00, 88s 18.00-20.00, 100s mostly 17.00-19.00, 113-125s mostly 16.00-18.00; Gala 64-72s mostly 23.00-24.00, 80s 21.00-24.00, 88s mostly 19.00-20.00, 100s mostly 16.00-17.00, 113s mostly 14.00-16.00, 125s mostly 14.00-15.00; Honeycrisp 56s mostly 28.00-34.90, 64s mostly 32.00-38.90, 72-80s 34.00-40.90, 88s mostly 32.00-38.90, 100s mostly 30.00-36.90. Cartons 12 3-pound film bags Red Delicious Washington Extra Fancy 2 1/2” minimum mostly 15.95-17.95; Golden Delicious and Fuji 2 1/2” minimum mostly 16.95-18.95; Gala and Granny Smith 1/2” minimum mostly 18.95-20.95; Honeycrisp 2 1/2” minimum mostly 30.95-34.95. ORGANIC cartons tray pack Gala Washington Extra Fancy 64s mostly 22.00-26.00, 72-80s mostly 20.00-26.00, 88s mostly 18.00-24.00, 100s mostly 18.00-20.00; cartons 12 3-pound film bags Gala 2 1/2” minimum mostly 16.95-20.95.

CHILE IMPORTS — PORT OF ENTRY PHILADELPHIA AREA 2020 CROP — Imports via Boat (45-40-67) — Movement expected about the same. Trading Moderate. 18 kg cartons tray pack Gala Marked Extra Fancy 70s-80s 26.00-28.00, 90s 24.00-26.00, 100s 20,00-22.00. FIRST REPORT.

NEW YORK 2019 CROP — Shipments (55-57-46) — Movement expected to seasonally decrease. Trading Moderate. Prices Generally Unchanged. Fuji Cartons Tray Pack U.S. Extra Fancy 80s-88s mostly 26.00-27.00; McIntosh Cartons Tray Pack U.S. Extra Fancy 80s-88s mostly 27.00-28.00. Cartons 12 3-pound Film Bags Red Delicious U.S. Extra Fancy mostly 16.00-19.00; Fuji U.S. Extra Fancy mostly 20.00-22.00; McIntosh U.S. Extra Fancy 2 1/2 inch minimum mostly 18.00-22.00; Empire U.S. Extra Fancy 2 1/2 inch minimum mostly 18.00-22.00.

MICHIGAN — Shipments (38-49*-36) — Movement expected to continue seasonal decline. Trading Moderate. Prices Unchanged. cartons 12 3-pound film bags U.S. Extra Fancy Gala mostly 18.00-20.00, Red Delicious mostly 17.00-19.00, Fuji mostly 19.00-21.00, Tray pack 88s Gala and Fuji 24.00-28.00, Red Delicious mostly 20.00-22.00. Supplies of Fuji light, others fairly light. (* revised)

NEW ENGLAND 2019 CROP — Shipments (3-4-2) — Movement expected to seasonally decrease. Too few open market sales to establish a market.

Apricots

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CALIFORNIA 2020 CROP — Shipments (2-5*-5) — Movement expected to increase. Trading Fairly Slow. Prices Lower. Carton 2 layer Various Varieties 64s mostly 20.95-22.95, 72s mostly 18.95-20.95, 84s mostly 16.95-18.95 Carton 3 layer 162s mostly 14.95-16.95. Primary variety Kylese. Extra services included. (* revised)

Avocados

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS 2019 CROP Crossings — (221-315-338) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading 32-48s fairly slow at higher prices, others fairly slow. Prices 32-48s higher, others lower. Cartons 2 layer Hass 32-36s mostly 40.25-42.25, 40s mostly 38.95-40.25, 48s mostly 38.25-40.25, 60s mostly 27.25-29.25, 70s mostly 21.25-22.25, 84s mostly 16.25-17.25. Extra services included.

SOUTH DISTRICT CALIFORNIA 2020 CROP — Shipments (153-171-U) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading Moderate. Prices Conventional 40-48s and 70s higher, 32-36s, 60s and 84s lower, Organic generally unchanged. Carton 2 layer Hass 32-36s mostly 42.25-44.25, 40-48s mostly 40.25-42.25, 60s mostly 33.25-34.25, 70s mostly 21.25-23.25, 84s mostly 17.25-19.25. Carton 2 layer Hass ORGANIC 40s mostly 54.25-56.25, 48s mostly 56.25-57.25, 60s mostly 52.25, 70s mostly 38.25-40.25. Extra services included. (U = unavailable)

Blueberries

SOUTH AND CENTRAL DISTRICT CALIFORNIA Shipments — (54-71*-77, Shipments -*-) — Movement expected to increase. Trading early fairly slow, late slow. Prices Lower. Flats 12 1-pint cups with lids mostly 18.00-20.00. Flats 12 6-ounce cups with lids mostly 10.00-12.00. Cartons 8 18-ounce containers with lids mostly 20.00-22.00. ORGANIC flats 12 6-ounce cups with lids mostly 12.00-14.00. Quality variable. (* revised)

SOUTH GEORGIA 2020 CROP Shipments — (38-35-31) — Movement expected to remain about the same current week, decrease the following week as some hardest hit growers finish for the season. Trading Moderate. Prices ORGANIC pints higher, conventional lower. Flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large 16.00-18.00, ORGANIC 12 1-pint cups with lids medium large mostly 24.00-26.00, 6 ounce cups with lids medium-large 14.00-16.00. Quality variable.

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA Shipments — (15-20-30) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading Moderate. Prices Lower. Flats 12 1-pint cups with lids medium-large 18.00-22.00. Quality variable. Some present shipments include prior commitments. Includes palletizing and cooling.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS Crossings — (24-20*-15) — Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Trading Slow. Prices Generally Unchanged. Flats 12 6-oz cups with lids mostly 8.00-10.00. Quality and condition variable. (* revised)

Cantaloupes

GEORGIA — Shipments (0-2-22) — Movement expected to increase. Trading Active. Prices 24 inch bins Athena type 120s mostly 210.00-220.00, 150s 195.00, 180s 175.00. Includes palletizing and precooling. Quality generally good.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES ARIZONA — Crossings (41-33-14) — Movement expected to decrease sharply as mostly shippers are finished for the season. Trading Slow. 1/2 cartons 9-12s supplies insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market. Quality variable. Lighter — Shipments expected to continue through June 13. LAST REPORT.

IMPERIAL AND PALO VERDE VALLEYS CALIFORNIA AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN ARIZONA — Shipments — (AZ 18-156-173) (CA 34-82-57) — Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading Moderate. Prices Lower. Oversized 1/2 cartons 9s (6 size) mostly 12.95-13.95. ½ cartons 6s 8.95, 9s mostly 12.95-13.95, 12s mostly 8.95. Quality generally good.

NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CAROLINA Light — Shipments expected to start by week of June 14 with sufficient volume and number of shippers for first F.O.B. report by week of June 21.

Cherries

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CALIFORNIA 2020 CROP — Shipments (326-327-220) — Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Trading Active. Prices Slightly Higher. 16 pound containers/bagged various red sweet varieties; 9 1/2 row size mostly 48.00-52.00, 10 row size mostly 45.00-48.00, 10 1/2 row size mostly 45.00-46.00, 11 row size mostly 44.00-45.00, 11 1/2 row size mostly 34.00-36.00, 12 row size 20.00-28.00. Extra services included. Wide range in quality. Some Shipments being booked at previously committed prices.

YAKIMA VALLEY AND WENATCHEE DISTRICT WASHINGTON — Harvest expected to begin in early areas the week of May 31. The first F.O.B. report is expected to be issued the week of June 21.

Grapes

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES ARIZONA — Crossings (87-200-400) — Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading early active, late moderate. Prices Perlette and Flame much lower, others lower. 18 pound containers bagged U.S. One large Perlette mostly 16.95-18.95, White Seedless 20.95-22.95, Flame mostly 22.95, Black Seedless mostly 18.95. Quality generally good.

COACHELLA VALLEY CALIFORNIA 2020 CROP — Shipments (0-0-24) — Movement expected to increase. Sporadic harvesting has begun in the region. F.O.B. expected to begin on or around June 4th.

CHILE IMPORTS — PORT OF ENTRY LOS ANGELES AREA 2020 CROP Imports via Boat — (5-0-0) — 18 lb containers bagged Supplies insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market. LAST REPORT.

CHILE IMPORTS — PORT OF ENTRY PHILADELPHIA AREA 2020 CROP Imports via Boat — (20-5-0) — 18 lb containers bagged Supplies insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market. LAST REPORT.

Lemons

SOUTH AND CENTRAL DISTRICT CALIFORNIA — Shipments Moderate — Movement expected about the same. Trading Fairly Active. Prices Shippers First Grade 75-200s and Choice 75s, 140s, slightly higher, others generally unchanged. 7/10 bushel cartons Shippers First Grade 75s mostly 27.18-30.20, 95-115s mostly 29.18-32.20, 140s mostly 28.18-32.20, 165s mostly 25.18-27.20, 200s 24.18-27.20, 235s mostly 20.18-23.20; Shippers Choice 75s mostly 17.18-20.20, 95s mostly 19.18-22.20, 115s mostly 20.18-22.20, 140s mostly 21.18-25.20, 165-200s mostly 22.18-25.20, 235s mostly 19.18-21.20. ORGANIC 7/10 bushel Shippers First Grade 75s mostly 31.18-35.20, 95-115s mostly 45.18-49.20, 140s mostly 42.18-47.20; Shippers Choice 95-115s mostly 28.18-35.20, 140s 25.18-35.20.

Nectarines

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CALIFORNIA 2020 CROP — Shipments (18-38*-51) — Movement expected to increase. Trading Fairly Slow. Various Yellow Varieties carton 2 layer 48-50s mostly 24.95-26.95, 54-56s mostly 20.95-23.95, 25 lb carton loose 60-64 size mostly 20.95, 70-72 size mostly 16.95-18.95. Various White Varieties carton 2 layer 48-50s mostly 24.95-26.95, 54-56s mostly 21.95-22.95, 25 lb carton loose 60-64 size 16-95-18.95, 70-72 size mostly 14.95-16.95. Primary Varieties See fire, Red Ryan and Polar Light. Extra services included. (* revised)

Oranges

FLORIDA — Shipments (90-84-78, Includes exports 0-3-2) — Prices not reported. — Shipments are for weeks ending May 2, May 9 and May 16 in that order.

SOUTH AND CENTRAL DISTRICT CALIFORNIA — Shipments Moderate — Movement expected to decrease slightly. Supplies Navel 113-138s light. Trading Active. Prices Higher. 7/10 bushel cartons Navel Shippers First Grade 40s 19.18-21.20, 48-56s 21.18-23.20, 72-88s mostly 24.18-27.20, 113-138s mostly 22.18-23.20; Shippers Choice 40s mostly 13.18-16.20, 48s mostly 16.18-18.20, 56s mostly 17.18-19.20, 72-113s mostly 18.18-20.20, 138s mostly 19.18-20.20. Valencia Shippers First Grade 48s mostly 17.18-21.20, 56s mostly 18.18-22.20, 72-88s mostly 21.18-25.20, 113-138s mostly 20.18-23.20; Shippers Choice 48s mostly 15.18-16.20, 56s mostly 15.18-17.20, 72s mostly 16.18-19.20, 88s mostly 17.18-19.20, 113s mostly 18.18-20.20, 138s mostly 19.18-20.20.

Peaches

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CALIFORNIA 2020 CROP — Shipments (8-35*-56) — Movement expected to increase. Trading Fairly Slow. Prices Lower. Various Yellow Varieties Cartons 2 layer tray pack 54-56s mostly 18.95-20.95, 25 lb carton loose 60-64 size mostly 14.95-16.95, 70-72 size mostly 10.95-13.95. Various White Flesh Varieties 25 lb carton loose 60-64 size 16.95-18.95, 70-72 size 8.95-10.96. Extra services included. Primary yellow flesh varieties Mat Princess and Krista. (* revised)

SOUTH CAROLINA 2020 CROP — Shipments (18-53-54) — Movement expected to remain about the same as new varieties start to come in. Trading Fairly Slow. Prices Lower. 1/2 bushel cartons Various Yellow Flesh varieties 2 3/4 inch minimum 20.85-22.85 2 1/2 inch min 16.85-18.85 and 2 1/4 inch min 10.85-12.85. Some (all sizes) shipped with price to be determined later. Varieties include: Ruby Prince, June Prince, MayLady, Crimson Lady and Gold Prince. Quality generally good.

Raspberries

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS — Crossings (42-36*-24) — Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Trading early moderate, late slow. Prices Generally Unchanged. Flats 12 6-ounce cups with lids mostly 18.00. Quality generally good. Most present shipments from prior bookings and/or previous commitments. (* revised)

SALINAS-WATSONVILLE CALIFORNIA — Shipments (5-10-16) — Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading early moderate, late fairly slow. Prices Generally Unchanged. Flats 12 6-ounce cups with lids mostly 18.00-20.00. Quality generally good. Most present shipments from prior bookings and/or previous commitments.

Strawberries

SALINAS-WATSONVILLE CALIFORNIA — Shipments (296-307-390) — Movement expected to increase slightly. Trading Very Slow. Prices Conventional lower, Organic generally unchanged. Flats 8 1-lb containers with lids large-extra large mostly 6.00-7.00. Quality variable. ORGANIC flats 8 1-pound containers with lids large-extra large mostly 9.00-10.00. Some sales booked open with price to be established later.

SANTA MARIA DISTRICT — Shipments (361-358-314) — Movement expected to decrease. Trading Very Slow. Prices Conventional lower, Organic slightly lower. Flats 8 1-pound containers with lids medium large mostly 6.00. ORGANIC Flats 1-pound containers with lids medium-large mostly 8.00-10.00. Quality and condition variable. Some berries being diverted to freezer and/or processor. Some sales booked open with price to be established later.

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA — Shipments (6-4-2) — Movement expected to continue decreasing as most shippers are finished for the season. Supplies insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market. LAST REPORT.

Watermelons

FLORIDA — Shipments (1,204-1,186-869, Seeded 54-83-48; Seedless 1150-1103-821) — Movement expected to remain about the same. Trading Red Flesh Seeded Active, Red Flesh Seedless Very Active. Prices Red Flesh Seeded Lower, Red Flesh Seedless Higher. 24 inch bins. Red Flesh Seeded type 35s 119.00; Seedless type 36s 154.00-168.00, 45s 154.00-168.00, 60s 154.00-168.00. Quality generally good.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES ARIZONA — Crossings (881-680-615) — Movement expected about the same. Trading approximately 35-60 counts active at slightly lower prices, others moderate. Prices approximately 35-60 counts slightly lower, others generally unchanged. Red Flesh Seedless type 24 inch bins approximately 35-45 counts mostly 140.00-147.00, approximately 60 count mostly 140.00. Miniature cartons 6s 11.95-12.95, 8-9s mostly 13.95-14.95, 11s mostly 9.95-10.95. Quality variable.

LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS — Shipments (361-533*-212) — Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading very active. Prices generally unchanged. Red Flesh Seedless type 24 inch bins per pound approximately 35 mostly .23-.24, approximately 45 count mostly .24, approximately 60 count mostly .22. Quality generally good. Harvest curtailed by rain and wet fields May 22-25 and May 28-31. (*revised)

GEORGIA — Shipments (0-0-0) — Light harvest expected to start current week. Expect sufficient volume for first F.O.B. within 14 days.

IMPERIAL AND COACHELLA VALLEYS CALIFORNIA AND WESTERN ARIZONA — Shipments (AZ 11-47-70, CA 13-51-55) — Movement expected to increase seasonally. Trading Very Active. Prices approximately 35-60 counts higher, others generally unchanged. 24 inch bins Red Flesh Seedless type approximately 35 count mostly 168.00, approximately 45 count mostly 168.00-182.00, approximately 60 count mostly 168.00-175.00. ORGANIC 24 inch bins Red Flesh Seedless type approximately 35-60 counts mostly 245.00, Seeded type approximately 35-60 counts 150.00-175.00. Quality generally good.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CALIFORNIA — Harvest expected to begin the week of June 21. Quality expected to be generally good. FIRST REPORT

SOUTH CAROLINA — Light Shipments expected to begin week of May 31 with sufficient volume and number of shippers for first F.O.B. report by week of June 14.

New Jersey peach growers prepare for harvest

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:37:36 GMT

New Jersey peach farmers are preparing for a harvest season with pandemic protocols protecting farm workers.

“Growing peaches is a labor-intensive process,” Santo John Maccherone, owner of Circle M Farms near Salem, N.J., said in a news release. “We strive to grow the very best peaches without cutting corners on the process of food safety and a safe environment for our workers.”

Maccherone expects a good peach crop with a few gaps in harvest due to low temperatures during flower bloom. Circle M will offer white- and yellow-fleshed peaches and nectarines, plums, flat “donut” peaches, peach cider and salsa.

Duffield Farms anticipates a normal harvest season, beginning harvesting its peaches in early July.

“We have enough fruit in some blocks to warrant heavy thinning to not only reduce crop load but to also improve size and quality,” Matt Duffield, of Duffield Farms, said in the release.

Duffield Farms will carry white- and yellow-fleshed peaches and nectarines.

Sunny Valley International , Glassboro, expects to have respectable volumes of peach and nectarine crop to market this season.

“We foresee growers working very closely with state and local officials following protocols and protecting all workers,” Bonnie Lundblad, of Sunny Valley, said in the release.

Related articles:
New Jersey crops even out after warm, cool spells
Homegrown Organic obtains EFI certification for stone fruit
Summer produce heating up on PMG

PureFresh Sales uses Hazel Tech on fruit for freshness

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:39:32 GMT

PureFresh Sales , Selma, Calif., will be using shelf life extending products from Hazel Technologies , Chicago, to keep its fruit fresher.

Since PureFresh started using Hazel Tech products with some its fruit shipments, the company has reported increased sales and a drop in lower-quality claims, according to a news release.

“Since implementing Hazel Tech in our programs, we have seen a 55% reduction in quality claims,” Bill Purewall, president of PureFresh Sales, said in the release. “This savings not only creates value for our business, but also creates value for the environment, reducing food waste and ultimately making our supply chain more sustainable long-term.”

More than 150 growers, packer and retailers use Hazel Tech products on fresh produce to maintain freshness and reduce food waste, according to the release.

PureFresh ships cherries , kiwifruit , nectarines , peaches , plums , apricots and other fruit.

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Stemilt Growers offers new stone fruit packaging options

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:49 GMT

Stemilt’s Artisan Organics peach and nectarine crops are available in two new packs.

“Retailers should waste no time getting organic summer fruit into their produce departments,” Brianna Shales, senior marketing manager, said in a news release.

The crop will be a little lighter at the start of the season, but volumes should pick up by the end of July.

Lil Snappers Artisan Organics are sold in 2-pound durable bags which are made from paper. Each holds up to four or five pieces of fruit.

“Retailers will love this package because it reduces handling throughout the supply chain,” Shales said in the release.

Top Pick, another Stemilt Growers program, will be sold in vibrant-colored boxes.

“Top Pick features ‘the most incredible fruit ever,’” Shales said in the release. “Our teams are very experienced, so they pick the fruit at just the right ripeness that maximizes flavors and sugars.”

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Northwest peaches and nectarines good to promote into September

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:35 GMT

Washington state peach and nectarine volume from Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers will continue with promotable volume well into September.

Promotions for Stemilt’s Artisan Organics peaches and nectarines can continue past Labor Day and through September, Brianna Shales, senior marketing manager for the company, said in a news release.

Stemilt will ship stone fruit through the third week of September and retailers have the option of a range of sizes and the choice of Stemilt’s 100% recyclable, sustainable paper Artisan Organics grab-and-go tote bag.

“It is a durable bag that meets consumer demand for sustainable packaging,” Shales said in the release. The bags are shipping in a Euro carton, where each Euro holds eight bags, according to the release.

Retailers can also look to Stemilt’s new Top Pick program, which offers fruit that comes from the upper part of the tree.

“The Top Pick pack is all about sharing the most incredible peaches and nectarines ever with shoppers,” Shales said in the release. “

Top Pick is shipped in a one-layer Euro carton that weighs 15 pounds, according to the release.

The Packer’s Organic Produce Coverage

The Packer’s Peach Coverage

The Packer’s Nectarine Coverage

Prima Wawona peaches shipped to more than a dozen countries

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:44:49 GMT

Prima Wawona peaches involved in a recall in the U.S. and Canada because of salmonella were shipped to more than a dozen other countries.

So far, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand have recalled the peaches, according to an Aug. 28 notice from the Food and Drug Administration. Prima Wawona/Wawona Packing of Fresno, Calif., recalled peaches on Aug. 21, followed by a recall in Canada. The Singapore Food Agency recalled the peaches from importer Satoyu Trading Pte Ltd. on Aug. 25, and New Zealand Food Safety on Aug. 26 recalled bulk peaches from the company that went to retailers.

The Prima Wawona peaches also went to: Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. The FDA has alerted the food safety agencies in those countries.

No illnesses have been reported in those countries. As of Aug. 23, Canada had reported 33 cases if Salmonella Enteritidis. As of Aug. 27, there were 78 people sick from the peaches in 12 states.

In the U.S., bulk peaches sold from June 1 to Aug. 3, and bagged conventional and organic peaches in two-pound bags sold from June 1 through Aug. 19 were recalled by Prima Wawona.

Retailers that received peaches, according to the FDA, are Aldi, Food Lion, Hannaford, Kroger (Jay-C, King Soopers, City Market, Fry’s, Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Foods Co. and Smiths), Target, Walmart and Wegmans.

Russ Davis Wholesale, Wadena, Minn., recalled Crazy Fresh and Quick & Easy brand peach salsas made with the peaches on Aug. 25, as well as gift baskets that included the peaches.

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