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Regarding COVID-19: California Giant is working hard to make every effort to ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and coworkers, while maintaining SAFE business and supply continuity of fresh berries to our customers. All areas of our supply chain continues to emphasize thorough sanitation practices and social distancing protocols. Thank you for being a valued customer of California Giant - We are all in this together!
Blueberries
Oregon:
Volume continues to meet forecasted projections of conventional and organic Oregon grown blueberries and will remain a peak of season berry for the month of August. Late season varieties are currently being harvested, including Elliott, Last Call and Aurora. Quality continues to look good; however, our growing areas are expecting some heat next week, which could cause some softer fruit.
Argentina:
Our growers have been observing stellar fruit sets of the early varieties, which include Snowchaser, Jewel and Emerald. Quality of the first picks are being reported as amazing, crisp and sweet in flavor – we can’t wait for them to reach the west coast in a few weeks to taste them for ourselves!
Peru:
Harvest has just begun with good quality and condition being reported.
Strawberries
Watsonville- Salinas:
The past week’s weather was much of the same, but that’s about to change. This weekend is expected to reach the low 90s on the coast and higher in-land, with mid-to-high 80s for next 10 days. Overnight lows will be in the mid 60s. While quality has been excellent, especially for this time of year, we are prepared to see soft fruit ahead, as these anticipated warm temperatures won’t allow the fruit to firm up. Additionally, a heat advisory warning has been given for labor. As such, the reduced working hours for the harvest crews compiled with quality issues will result in issues that we’ll potentially see effects from for the next few weeks. Quality to date has been good. Growers have reported some over-ripeness and decay due to the wet foggy mornings. Counts: Conventional: 16-18 (Salinas (20-22); Organic: 26-28
Santa Maria:
Expected weather patterns mirror that of Watsonville/Salinas – with temperatures expected to reach the low 90s all next week and overnight lows in the not-so-cool mid-60s. We expect the heat to effect quality and anticipate small sized, sunburn and overripe berries. To date, quality has been nice with uniform size. The Fall Crop continues to perform well and set expectations for a great season ahead. The first few passes are underway and crews are working through some green, seedy tips. Fall Crop Counts: Conventional: 16-20; Organic: 16-18.
Raspberries
Watsonville-Salinas:
Original forecasting shows volumes starting to gradually increase week over week; however, the new weather forecast of high heat will effect our bush berries. The inland growing areas have the potential to be 10-degrees higher than the coast – which can result in poor fruit quality and heat stressed plants. We will see what the weather brings, take each day at a time and assess from there.
Mexico:
Quality remains good and volumes continue to project upwards!
Blackberries
Watsonville-Salinas:
Our Watsonville grown blackberries are in the same boat as the raspberries. The forecasted high temperatures next week has the potential to effect the fruit and deliver red cells and leaks. To date, quality has been really good and original estimates show a gradual increase in volume through September. Our team will reassess these projections once we see the effects of the heat.
For up-to-date weather conditions in all of our growing regions, click on the region below. Wunderground.com is our go-to weather resource for fast and reliable weather updates.
Our team of influencers are cooking up some exciting new content for the weeks to come!
A berry sweet message from one of our Walmart shoppers:
"The strawberries could not have been any better!"
It’s “Back to School” week for many of our California Giant families. Remember to keep the fridge stocked with healthy, fresh berries for mid-day brain building snacks for those kiddos (and you too)!
