Latest News From Western (U.S.)

There are signs that water is the new oil as water rights turn into water fights across the western U.S., says columnist John Phipps. He thinks it's a battle that could only heat up in the coming years.

Growers are managing delayed and irregular cantaloupe production out of Yuma, the Imperial Valley and into the Westside, but anticipate the production will normalize as the deal shifts in July, August and September.

The premium dark-sweet cherries cultivated in the California Delta region are expected to be available from mid-June through Fourth of July promotions, the grower says.

The New York-based specialty mushroom company continues to grow westward, adding 192 Sprouts locations to its growing retailer presence.

D'Arrigo’s achievements and contributions will be celebrated at the trade association's 2023 annual meeting in November.

California farmers are facing another round of flooding, with fields still bearing scars from January’s floods. An area known for production of fresh berries and lettuce is expected to now have a larger loss.

Mastronardi Produce is distributing Naples Fresh and Spring Born greenhouse-grown leafy greens under the Backyard Farms brand.

Growers across the western states are seeking new and novel ways to safeguard their crops and secure a stable water supply for the future.

The California Fresh Fruit Association has applauded a 35% water allocation, which was previously 0%, but is emphasizing the need for storage, management and infrastructure improvement.

Plenty’s co-founder and chief science officer believes the new facility, set to open in 2025, will be “the world’s largest vertical farming research center."

The Irvine, Calif-based avocado commission has forecast 257 million pounds of avocados for the 2022-23 harvest season, a slight decrease from last year’s volume.

The 4,200,000 square feet of facilities in the Salinas Valley are an average 42 years old and are in desperate need of updates, according to the CEO of Growers Ice, a post-harvest real estate company.

As the first COO in the company's 95-year history, Pereira will lead strategic initiatives for the Soledad, Calif.-based fresh producer grower.

The industry veteran has joined Awe Sum Organics after eight years as Bouduelle Fresh Americas’ vice president of agricultural operations and sourcing.

The project is expected to realign and reconstruct a primary trucking and access gateway into the Port of Oakland as well as relieve truck congestion and provide flexibility for seaport cargo operations.

The bipartisan group of 14 senators is seeking help for farmers and ranchers to conserve water, improve water infrastructure and efficiency, protect lands at risk of erosion, and more.

The vertically integrated salad and vegetable producer has promoted a longtime agriculture industry veteran to lead planning and data integrity.

Citrus and grape producer Fowler Packing expands citrus program with a 10,000 acre acquisition of California farmland.

Produce industry veteran Mark Munger has joined artichoke grower Ocean Mist Farms as its next senior director of marketing.

Despite a tight apple crop in 2022, there’s room to keep growing Stemilt’s Artisan Organics brand, says Stemilt Marketing Director Brianna Shales.  

Lynda and Stewart Resnick donate largest gift to university from individual donors to build center for agricultural innovation and fund sustainability research grants.

Record-breaking drought continues to impact irrigation options for citrus growers in California and Arizona.

Citrus growers in the Southwest U.S. forecast a strong 2022/23 crop, rebounding from last years’ soft season.

Watsonville, Calif.-based berry grower anticipates an ample strawberry crop from California’s central coast this October.

Angie Thomas joins The National Mango Board to support west coast retail marketing and merchandising.

Judges rule that insects and invertebrates are protected species in California, rejecting a petition by agriculture and pesticide groups and upholding a lower court decision.

The project takes the facility off of the traditional energy grid and lowers Taylor Farm’s carbon footprint.

After a recent food safety report, FDA targets California’s central coast region leafy green farms and ranches for additional tests.

Knappe has been in the produce industry for nine years, specifically working in packaging supply and inventory management within the berry industry.

Hotter and drier weather conditions spurred by climate change could reduce California’s water supply by up to 10% by the year 2040, say state officials.

As an ode to the past 10 years, the California Avocado Commission enlisted chef Nyesha Arrington to create two seasonal recipes that prominently feature the fruit.

West Pak Avocados Inc., has ramped up its Murrieta, Calif.-based packing, ripening and distribution center for the 2022 California season.

Tehachapi, Calif.-based Revol Greens has launched four new salad kits using greenhouse-grown lettuces that will hit shelves along the West Coast in early October.

The effects of misinformation during a pandemic, especially via social media, highlight how important it is for produce companies to have a clear, correct, calm message.

Twelve days after leaving a Chilean port, the country’s first break bulk fruit shipment has reached the West Coast.

The Produce Marketing Association, Newark, Del., has appointed Richard Owen to vice president of membership and engagement for the Western U.S. and Canada.

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. — The Packer's Northeast editor, Amy Sowder, goes west to join the farm tours at West Coast Produce Expo. 

PALM DESERT, Calif. — The West Coast Produce Expo could be at that magical Goldilocks size for buyers and sellers to get the most out of it — not too small, not too big.

PALM DESERT, Calif. — Her advice won’t blow your mind, but you can boost your career satisfaction if you take home a few nuggets, said Emily Fragoso at the West Coast Produce Expo.

PALM DESERT, Calif. — Dave Mitchell is a seminar speaker who doesn’t use a stage.

Organic consumer activist Robyn O’Brien and award-winning chef and author Dan Barber will be keynote presenters July 10-11 at the fourth annual Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, Calif.

Aaron Aliotti was promoted to assistant general manager for Fresh-Link Produce’s tomato division in Monterey, Calif.

San Miguel Produce Inc., which markets the Cut ‘N Clean Greens brand of bagged greens, is changing sales management roles in the West and Midwest regions.

Several construction projects have Port of Oakland officials bullish on the prospect of attracting additional business and reaching record cargo volume starting next year.

Mulholland Citrus, an Orange Cove, Calif.-based citrus grower shipper of primarily mandarins, is joining the Sunkist Growers Inc. cooperative.