Latest News From Southern California Strawberries

Watsonville, Calif.-based Well-Pict Berries grows its Southern California proprietary strawberry varieties on approximately 1,200 acres in Oxnard, Calif., said Jim Grabowski, director of marketing.

Good growing weather is spurring on Southern California strawberry production for California Giant Berry Farms, said Kevin Dwyer, district manager for the Watsonville, Calif.-based marketer.

For the first time , Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berries will ship fresh strawberries from California for the entire year, said Cindy Jewell, marketing representative.

Rising costs and tight labor are two big challenges for strawberry growers, but marketers also see reason for optimism.

Wish Farms California is present in all the main strawberry growing regions of Oxnard, Santa Maria and Salinas, said Nick Wishnatzki, public relations manager for Plant City, Fla.-based Wish Farms.

The Southern California strawberry scene has undergone a major transformation during the past couple of decades.

Southern California growers soon may have access to some new strawberry varieties.

Until Jan. 19, Southern California was enjoying an ideal strawberry season.

Well-Pict Inc., is trying out two new proprietary strawberry varieties in Southern California.

Success Valley Produce LLC, Oxnard, Calif., is focusing on expanding its strawberry operations to be year-round and producing in all the U.S. growing areas, said Backus Nahas, director of marketing.

The program between The Oppenheimer Group and Ocean Spray to market fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries continues to grow.

After a soggy start to the season, Estero, Fla.-based Naturipe Farms LLC expects to pack a lot of 2-pound trays out of California during March, said Jerry Moran, senior director of sales.

Planning was underway in January for the second annual Strawberry Automation Summit sponsored by California Strawberry Commission at California Polytechnic University.

Watsonville-based California Giant Berry Farms has lined up promotions for consumers and the foodservice sector.

Check out the latest news and updates from companies involved in the Southern California strawberry deal.

The entire berry business is booming, and strawberries still remain the top draw for consumers.

Another record-setting season could be teed up for California strawberry growers, but it isn’t because growers planted more acres of fruit.

Despite record rainfall in parts of Southern California early this year, the drought that has posed a threat to agriculture for the past five years remains ongoing there, state officials said, even though much of the nor

Business updates on companies featured in The Packer's Southern California Strawberries section.