California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: California Fresh Fruit Magazine

  • Master Milling Certificate Course September 23-25, 2019

    The Master Milling Certificate Course has helped hundreds of olive oil processors produce better oil more efficiently. A survey of attendees’ found that 90 percent of respondents believed that the course material would boost their quality or efficiency by more than five percent, and 72 percent said that the course was “very likely” to lead to higher profitability.

    The course will be led by Leandro Ravetti, among the world’s top experts in olive oil processing, growing, and standards. As executive director of Australia’s Boundary Bend Limited, Leandro has helped guide the company to rapid growth, optimum efficiency, and top awards at international olive oil competitions. The company’s success is guided by innovation, data, and analysis to maximize oil production efficiency and quality.

    The course will also include a field trip to three olive oil processors.

    This course is a small investment that will pay off in more efficiency, better quality, and higher profits.

    What’s included

    • Three days of expert instruction

    • Field-trip transportation.

    • Breakfast pastries, lunch, and beverages featuring local and seasonal ingredients from one of the region’s best caterers.

    • Booklet with presentation slides in note-taking format.

    • Flash drive with presentation slides and supplemental materials.

    Reviews

    “Overall I found the course to be absolutely wonderful. All of the presenters were knowledgeable, shared information freely and were good presenters. Leandro was especially fantastic. His knowledge on the subject matter is staggering and he is a pleasure to listen to.”

    “Great course! I really liked the detailed look from start to finish in the processing. I also liked the hands-on look at the processing and the first-hand view of different processors during the field trip. This trip was invaluable to me – I learned so much!”

    “This was a wonderful experience, our minds are full of new ideas, tips to apply, errors not to make!”

    “One value of the course is the peer-to-peer networking!”

    Registration

    The three-day course will be held on the UC Davis campus in the Silverado Vineyard Sensory Theater at the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science.

    $875 until July 15, 2019

    $1,075 after July 15, 2019

    Cancellations: 100% credit for future course if cancelled prior to June 15, 2019; 50% credit if cancelled prior to July 15, 2019; no credit after July 15, 2019.

    IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE USA: Please enter CA in the State Field. 95616 in the Zip Code Field and 555-555-5555 in the Telephone Field. You can enter your state/province, country, postal code and phone number in the supplemental fields provided. Once you submit the registration information  you will be redirected to a secure credit card site where you will be able to enter your credit card information with the correct address.

    Instructors

    Leandro Ravetti graduated as an Agricultural Engineer in Argentina. He worked for the National Institute of Agricultural Technology in olive production research and advised many of the country’s largest olive developments from 1995 until he moved to Australia in 2001. Leandro has also studied and worked as an invited researcher at the Olive Growing Research Institute of Perugia, Italy and at different Governmental Olive Institutes in Andalusia, Spain where he completed a postgraduate degree on olive growing. In Australia, Leandro leads the Modern Olives technical team, which provides horticultural and olive specific technical advice to most of the largest olive groves and olive oil processing plants in the country. Leandro has also been involved as adviser, researcher and invited speaker in most other new olive industries such as New Zealand, Japan, Peru, South Africa, Chile and USA. Leandro has been Executive Director of Boundary Bend Limited, Australia’s leading fully integrated olive company since 2005. As part of his role with Boundary Bend, Leandro has overseen the production of multi award winning oils for the company’s flagship brand, Cobram Estate, including a large number of gold medals, best in class and best in show trophies in national and international competitions such as New York, Los Angeles, Olive Japan, Australian Olive Association, etc.

    Dan Flynn is executive director of the UC Davis Olive Center, which he has guided to international leadership in olive research and education. Dan also oversees the production of UC Davis Olive Oil and other olive products that help support the center. He served 16 years as a legislative and policy consultant in the California State Legislature and also managed a small farm prior to coming to UC Davis. He has a M.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University. Based on his achievements with the Olive Center, Dan has received top staff awards from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the chancellor of the university.

    Selina Wang, PhD, is an extension specialist in the Department of Food Science and Technology and research director of the UC Davis Olive Center. Dr. Wang also is the leader of the UC Davis Olive Oil Laboratory, which provides research and analysis of olive oil and table olives. As research director, Dr. Wang has developed more than 60 research projects in table olives and olive oil. Dr. Wang is pursuing additional innovative research that seeks to deliver faster, better and cheaper methods for analyzing olive oil quality and authenticity.

    Hotel Reservation

    Hyatt Place UC Davis

    173 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA 95616

    (530) 756-9500

    Booking link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-place-uc-davis/smfzu?corp_id=G-U271

     

    Hallmark Inn at UC Davis

    110 F Street, Davis, CA 95616

    Booking link: https://www.myhotelreservation.net/b/hasmfinn/HASMFINN/?i=WHPROMO5A&rac=*NP05$

  • GreenFruit Avocados Expands Sales Team to Keep Pace with Growing Demand

    Green Fruit Avocados, a fully integrated avocado grower and shipper, has announced the addition of produce industry veterans Lisa Cabuto and Dave Culpeper to its sales team. As senior sales representative and senior account manager respectively, the two will leverage their industry expertise and connections to help the company continue its exponential growth. The hiring, along with a recent move to a larger facility in Newport Beach, are part of Green Fruit’s aggressive expansion strategy and will enable the company to maintain the high-quality service for which it is known.

    “Lisa’s customer focus, work ethic and charismatic personality will make her a tremendous addition to our team,” said Kraig Loomis, the company’s sales manager. “The strong business relationships she has built with Mexican grower-shippers over the course of 25 years in the produce business will also provide the company with fresh insight on how to collaborate most effectively with all of our U.S. and international partners.”

    Cabuto began her career by advancing through multiple positions at the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market. Most recently she was a buyer for Northgate Gonzalez Markets, where she played a pivotal role in orchestrating direct programs with many grower-shipper partners.

    “We are well positioned as a vertically integrated avocado grower and packing house,” said Dan Acevedo, director of business development at Green Fruit Avocados. “But to have someone as uniquely qualified as Dave Culpeper bring his talents to our organization and assist with our continued growth is very humbling.”

    Culpeper’s roots in agriculture go back to his early days in Escondido, CA, where his father managed several citrus and avocado ranches. After serving in the United States Air Force, he was the first employee at West Pak Avocado, and spent more than 30 years at the company building its sales infrastructure and developing its international operations in Mexico and Chile.

    “As we continue to grow as a global company, we know that the people who represent Green Fruit Avocados will be instrumental in our success,” said Brian Gomez, company president and founder. “We are extremely pleased to have Lisa and Dave as part of the Green Fruit sales team.”

    About Green Fruit Avocados:

    GreenFruit Avocados is a direct supplier of Mexican Hass avocados. As a fully integrated avocado supplier, the company specializes in growing, packing, shipping and marketing avocados worldwide. Green Fruit has state-of-the-art facilities in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico, and Newport Beach, California. USA. Founded and operated by agriculture industry veterans, the company develops customized programs to meet each customer’s unique needs.

    For more information on Green Fruit Avocados, please email sales@greenfruitavocados.com or call 949.251.0963.

     

  • Joel Nelsen Reappointed to Senior Trade Policy GRP

    CCM’s Joel Nelsen was reappointed to the Administration’s Fruit & Vegetable Trade Advisory Committee this week as announced by USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer. These positions are highly coveted as they have direct engagement with Administration officials on trade policy. Nelsen has served since the George W. Bush Administration, and for the past fours, his colleagues have asked him to chair the Fruit & Vegetable Committee. There are several trade advisory committees all serving varied business sectors in the United States. Agriculture, because of its diversity, has over six committees representing the varied Ag commodity sectors.

    “To be able to continue serving in this role is both gratifying and humbling,” Nelsen states. “I had the support of Valley Congressmen McCarthy, Nunes, and Costa along with Congressional members Ken Calvert and Julia Brownly. Additionally, Senator Feinstein sent a letter on my behalf, all of which were gratefully appreciated.”

    There are upwards of two dozen seats available on each committee half of which expire every two years. The role is to initiate and/or advise the Administration on a myriad of policy and technical issues that can and do affect the produce industry. “The give and take are real, as is the opportunity for accountability,” Nelsen continues. “Certainly these past two years have been challenging, and most likely, these disputes will carry on as the Administration seeks to balance trade and initiate policies that correct deficiencies in existing agreements. I truly do appreciate the fact that our California Congressional members and the Administration continue to believe I bring value to the process. It is very rewarding.”

  • Kevin Ball Joins Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee

    The Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee (CPDPC) announces the addition of Kevin Ball as the new grower representative for the coastal district position. Kevin Ball will advise the committee on the latest citrus grower activities occurring in the coastal area.

    The CPDPC advises the Secretary and the agricultural industry about efforts to combat serious pests and diseases, like the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing, that threaten the state’s citrus crop.

    Ball brings decades of experience in the agricultural industry, most recently as vice president of orchard operations at Agland Services for the past 15 years. At the company he supervises the daily operations of 20 ranches in the Camarillo, Somis, Moorpark and Ventura areas while consulting on ranches throughout Ventura and Southern Santa Barbara counties.

    As a former executive committee board member at the California Avocado Society, Ball is also well versed in organizing, planning and implementing grower outreach programs and managing budgets for seminars, research and grower outreach. Beginning his career as a grower, Ball is experienced in the field, running irrigations, spraying weeds, maintaining equipment and more.

    Coastal area citrus growers may contact Kevin Ball with concerns/inquiries:

    Kevin Ball
    Vice President of Orchard Operations, Partner, Agland Services
    kevin.ball@aglandca.com

     

  • CA Prunes Introduces New Brand to Inspire all to Choose CA for Prunes

    The finest prunes on Earth have a new brand with a familiar name: California Prunes – representing all that makes California Prunes premium: world-famous growing conditions, generations of expertise among our growers and handlers, a perfected drying system, and the highest quality agricultural standards of any other nation.

    “The world comes to California for prunes, and we take that seriously,” said Donn Zea, Executive Director, California Prune Board. “California is the most reliable and consistent source in the industry for quality, size, and taste.”

    CA Prunes Introduces New BrandThe new brand is a positive embrace of California Prunes for their premium nature and an expansive view of all their benefits. The new logo design transforms a statement of origin into a reflection of market leadership and a dual message emerges through the tagline: Prunes. For life. signifying that California Prunes are good for your life, at every stage of your life.

    “It moves prunes away from an occasional food choice to a daily pleasure. This is ideal since California Prunes are good for your gut, heart and bones,” said Zea.

    He explains that consumers care more than ever about their food and the time is right to promote California Prunes in a fresh way.

    “Gut health has gained more interest and relevance, and clinical trials suggest that eating five or six prunes a day may support healthy bones,” said Zea. “In addition to the nutritional benefits, market research has shown that the only thing holding people back from eating more prunes isn’t negative perceptions, but rather the simple need for more top-of-mind awareness.”

    CALIFORNIA PRUNES DRIVE GROWTH WORLDWIDE
    “For more than three decades, we have opened markets globally for California Prunes, and we continue to do so today,” said Zea. “California has invested in premium growing processes and quality control along with nutrition and crop research, all while being committed to sustainable agriculture and ethical labor practices.”

    “When it comes to prunes, California delivers. California Prunes have earned a premium reputation in global markets,” said Zea. “The message of our new brand is clear: Choose California for prunes.”

    Joe Turkovich, Chairman of the California Prune Board and California Prune grower from Winters, Calif., said the new brand represents the premium qualities of California Prunes.

    “California’s lush valleys, ancient soils, and endless sun are ideal for growing a delectable-tasting fruit that is like none other,” said Turkovich. “California Prunes are handcrafted with care to ensure each piece of fruit is harvested at its peak for optimal size, exceptional texture, and a signature sweetness.”


    Turkovich explains that California Prunes taste – and pair – like no other prunes in the world.

    “They are fresh and sweet with a rich, smooth mouthfeel that is reliably consistent,” said Turkovich. “We are eager to encourage everyone to enjoy California Prunes today and every day.”
    CA Prunes Introduces New Brand

    GROWN IN CALIFORNIA, SAVORED AROUND THE WORLD

     California Prunes are delivered into more than 60 countries around the world. The new brand will be integrated extensively into markets including the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, China, and South Korea.

    To access the new California Prunes logo, photos, and recipes, visit the newly re-designed California Prunes website at www.CaliforniaPrunes.org. For additional information, visit the California Prunes’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media channels at @CAforPrunes.

    ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA PRUNE BOARD 
    Created in 1952, The California Prune Board aims to amplify the premium positioning and top-of-mind awareness of California Prunes through advertising, public relations, promotion, nutrition research, crop management and sustainability research, and issues management. The California Prune Board represents approximately 800 prune growers and 28 prune, juice, and ingredient handlers under the authority of the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

  • California Fresh Fruit Association names Ian Lemay new president!

    (Fresno, CA) – Today, Randy Giumarra, the Chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) Board of Directors announced that Ian LeMay will serve as the new president of CFFA. LeMay will succeed George Radanovich, who has held the position since 2016 and will be leaving CFFA to promote sound ag labor policy inWashington, DC.

    Chairman Giumarra stated “Ian’s appointment is a reflection of our Board’s commitment to establishing long-term leadership for our industry.” Giumarra continued, “Our Board and I have worked closely with Ian over the past four years. We are confident in his abilities and look forward to his leadership. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank George for his time, leadership and impact that he has made over the last three years. George’s service is greatly appreciated by our entire membership.”

    LeMay has dedicated his career to supporting and advocating for the continued success of California agriculture. Since 2015, LeMay has served as CFFA’s Director of Member Relations and Communications. From 2011 to 2015, LeMay served as the District Director for Congressman Jim Costa who represents California’s 16th. Congressional District. As District Director, LeMay managed the Congressman’s district staff and advised the Congressman on a number of issues including agriculture, water and transportation. Prior to working for Congressman Costa, LeMay worked as a California Market Specialist for the Lindsay Corporation. LeMay is arecent graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 48).

    “I am humbled and appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the members of the California Fresh Fruit Association in a new capacity,” said LeMay. “I came to the Association four years ago because I believe in its mission, deeply respect its history and see infinite potential in advocating for the permanent fresh fruit growers and shippers of California. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe two great Association leaders in Barry Bedwell and George Radanovich, and thank them for their commitment to bettering our industry. The challenges that face us are many. These have not been easy years for our industry, but I remainconfident in the future of California agriculture and our opportunity to advocate for meaningful policy with aunified voice.”

    Media Contact: Ian LeMay (559) 226-6330 ilemay@cafreshfruit.com

    LeMay will begin his tenure as CFFA President on June 1st. Ian and his wife Molly reside in Fresno with their two children, Emery Rose and Ellison James, and will welcome their third child this August.

    ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION

    For more than eighty (80) years the California Fresh Fruit Association has been the primary government relations organization serving the fresh fruit industry. It is a voluntary public policy organization that works on behalf of our members – growers, shippers, marketers and associates – on issues that specifically affect member commodities: fresh grapes, kiwis, pomegranates, cherries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apricots, nectarines, interspecific varieties, plums, apples and persimmons. It is the Association’s responsibility to serve as a liaison between regulatory and legislative authorities by acting as the unified voice of our members. The challenges are. countless for growers, shippers and marketers as they strive to remain viable in an ever-changing market. Increasing regulatory requirements make it difficult to flourish, regardless of the size of the operation.

    The Association’s dedicated staff advocates daily in the best interest of our members to ensure that regulators and legislators are using sound science and accurate information when considering laws or rules that will be imposedon industry members. However, aside from the variety of issues the Association works on, there is an important networking component. As each company has its own business interest, the membership as a whole shares acommon, vested interest in the long-term health of tree fruit, fresh grape and berry communities in California.

  • Kiwifruit Administrative Committee Board of Directors Nominations Underway – Industry Members Sought to Serve

    The California Kiwifruit Administrative Committee will conduct its annual election of kiwifruit growers to serve as members and alternates for a two-year term from August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021. Nominations are being for Districts 1 and 2. District 1 encompasses production areas in Butte, Sutter and Yuba Counties and District 2 encompasses Tulare County.

    Nomination forms were mailed to growers in each district on April 18 and should be returned to the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee postmarked no later than May 13.

    Eligible candidates include kiwifruit growers who produce kiwifruit for the fresh market, and employees of growers. Ballots will be mailed to all growers in early June.

    The Kiwifruit Administrative Committee is the official body that administers the federal marketing orderfor kiwifruit. The Kiwifruit Administrative Committee has made a commitment to enhance the diversity of the organization and is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage eligible women, minorities, persons with disabilities, organic or non-conventional producers, small businesses, and individuals who have never served on the Committee to serve as committee members or alternates. All eligible candidates are encouraged to participate in the nomination process.

    If you have any questions please call the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee office at (916) 441-0678.

    Nomination forms are available at the office at 1521 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via email at calkiwi@agamsi.com

  • USDA Extends Deadline to May 17 for Producers to Certify 2018 Crop Production for Market Facilitation Program Payments

    USDA extended the deadline to May 17 from May 1 for agricultural producers to certify 2018 crop production for payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which helps producers who have been significantly affected by foreign tariffs, resulting in the loss of traditional exports. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) extended the deadline because heavy rainfall and snowfall have delayed harvests in many parts of the country, preventing producers from certifying harvested production.

    Payments will be issued only if eligible producers certify before the updated May 17 deadline.

    The MFP provides payments to producers of corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, dairy, hogs, fresh sweet cherries and shelled almonds. FSA will issue payments based on the producer’s certified total production of the MFP commodity multiplied by the MFP rate for that specific commodity.

    “Trade issues, coupled with low commodity prices and recovery from natural disasters, have definitely impacted the bottom line for many agricultural producers,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “The MFP payments provide short-term relief from retaliatory tariffs to supplement the traditional farm safety net, helping agricultural producers through these difficult times. Weather conditions this fall, winter and early spring have blocked many producers from completing harvest of their crops, and we want to make sure producers who want to finalize their MFP application have an opportunity.”

    Producers can certify production by contacting their local FSA office or through farmers.gov.

    About the Market Facilitation Program

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue launched the trade mitigation program to assist farmers suffering from damage because of unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. FSA implemented MFP in September 2018 as a relief strategy to protect agricultural producers while the Administration works on free, fair and reciprocal trade deals to open more markets to help American farmers compete globally. To date, more than $8.3 billion has been paid to nearly 600,000 applicants.

    The MFP is established under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and is administered by FSA.

    More Information

    For more information, contact your local FSA office or visit www.farmers.gov/MFP.

  • How to Control Grubs in Blueberries: Organic & Conventional Methods

    Masked Chafer (AKA white grubs) have been problematic for blueberry growers, particularly in the Central Valley of California.  The good news is that researchers and entomologists have come up with both organic and conventional methods treatments for these soil pests.  Watch this brief interview UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor David Haviland to learn about these options and read more about it in California Fresh Fruit Magazine.

  • Wawona Begins Promotable Stone Fruit Volumes

    Wawona Packing house logoWawona Packing Company, a leading grower and shipper of organic and conventional tree fruit, today announced the start of its 2019 stone fruit season. Beginning with proprietary varieties of organic and conventional peaches and nectarines, the program will expand to include additional commodities and varieties as the season progresses with plums, pluots and apricots available by mid-May.

    Wawona Ranch

    Wawona anticipates a large, promotable volume of stone fruit throughout its full 26-week season. Several of the varieties included in this year’s program are a result of the company’s acquisition of the stone fruit breeding assets of Burchell Nursery last summer.

    “Our proprietary breeding program allows us to start earlier and finish later than our competitors, while maintaining exceptional quality throughout the season,” said Mark Berlinger, tree fruit sales manager at Wawona. “We always have had an extensive research and development program, and our partnership with Burchell Nursery has further expanded our ability to provide the most flavorful, high-quality varieties to our customers.”

    With more than 9,000 acres of farmland in production in California’s central San Joaquin Valley, Wawona’s stone fruit program is the most diverse of its kind, offering organic and conventional varieties for yellow and white peaches, yellow

    and white nectarines, black and red plums and pluots, along with conventional apricots.

    For more information about Wawona Stone Fruit programs please call (559) 528-4000 or email sales@wawonapacking.com.

    About Wawona Packing Company
    Founded in 1945, Wawona Packing Company currently farms more than 9,000 acres in California’s central San Joaquin Valley. Wawona offers organic and conventional tree fruit and citrus and is the largest grower of organic tree fruit in the United States. The company’s brands include Sweet-2-Eat, Sweet-2-Eat organic, Harvest Sweet and Wawona. For more information visit wawonapacking.com.