The Central Coast Olive Oil Competition, hosted annually by the California Mid-State Fair and in partnership with the Lodi Grape Festival, is now accepting entries. The 15th Annual competition will take place in April 2023 and feature olive oil from across the state of California. Olive oils are separated into two categories: extra virgin and flavored. The categories are then …

The North American Blueberry Council (NABC) released the full slate of its recently elected board of directors, including new president Pat Goin of Goin’s Blueberry Lane in Indiana, and other board officers. Starting in 2023, the board has been expanded from six to 15 members, several of which hail from California.  Among the new Board members is Todd Sanders, Executive …

The Hass Avocado Board is now accepting applications for its yearlong Board Leadership Development program. The program includes customized training to help participants prepare to serve on the boards of avocado industry organizations such as HAB and the California Avocado Commission, among others. The deadline to complete the application is January 31. There are currently 12 open seats. The course includes: A …

For the first time, under authority of Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment of 1935, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will purchase up to $20 million of fresh mandarins and tangerines for distribution to food banks, schools and other non-conventional markets. USDA also announced that it will purchase up to $20 million in oranges and $10 million in …

The California Avocado Commission will host a grower field day at Pine Tree Ranch in Santa Paula on January 25, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. During the event, California avocado growers will have an opportunity to meet CAC’s new president, Jeff Oberman. In addition, Tim Spann of Spann Ag Research & Consulting and Ben Faber, UC Farm Advisor, …

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and the Citrus Research Board (CRB) welcome more than $1 million in new federal funding for critical research programs that support the U.S. and California citrus industries. The 2023 Appropriations bill passed by Congress recently includes continued funding to help stop the deadly citrus plant disease Huanglonging (HLB) that has devastated citrus production in Florida and …

On December 15, the California Avocado Commission’s Marketing Committee, which is comprised of California avocado grower and handler members, hosted its first meeting of the 2022-23 fiscal year. The virtual meeting, which was presided over by CAC Marketing Committee Chair Gary Caloroso, provided the Commission with an opportunity to discuss the upcoming California avocado season and share the top retail …

In December 2022, the California Avocado Commission surveyed industry handlers to develop the following 2023 California Avocado Pre-Season Crop Estimate*: Hass: 243 million pounds Lamb-Hass: 7 million pounds GEM: 6 million pounds Other: 1 million pounds Total: 257 million pounds *Please note the California Avocado Commission’s crop year is aligned with the calendar year (January 1st through December 31st) and therefore information provided is for …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on November 1st, 2022 announced the appointment of seven new members to the Hass Avocado Board. Appointed are two producer members, two producer alternates, one importer member and one importer alternate to fill three-year terms expiring on October 31, 2025, and one vacant importer alternate seat to fill the remainder of the term which expires …

The Peterson family is pleased to announce the addition of Fresh Innovations California, LLC, to the Peterson Farms FAMILY OF COMPANIES. Fresh Innovations California, located in Stockton, California, specializes in organic and conventional fresh-cut apple slices, under the brand Prize Slice, supplying schools and retail throughout the United States. The addition of Fresh Innovations California, LLC to the Peterson Farms …