December 3, 2018

Santa Maria: 

Oxnard:

We received scattered showers last week resulting in about a 1/2 inch of rainfall. We did not have water backing up in burrows and no major damage in the fields, which was good news. The organic fruit looks very good overall, with color 90-100 percent, sizing at 20-22 count and good condition. The conventional fruit looks excellent, color 95-100 percent, sizing currently at 16-18 count, with larger fruit coming along. The field looks very good with a nice, steady weekly increase in volume. The temperatures are on the cooler side this week for us, with highs in the low 60s and nighttime temperatures in the low 50s and high 40s. We are forecasted to receive rain Wednesday and Thursday, with the possibly of 1-1.5 inches from this rain event. The fruit is pretty solid, so rain damage should be minimal at this time.

Mexico:

After the two days of on-and-off rain last week, weather is back to normal and favorable this week. Temperatures are in the high 70s - low 80s with nights in the lower 50s in most regions. Maravatío is slightly cooler per usual, with highs in the low 70s dropping to the mid 40s at night. Days are mostly sunny with low chances of rain. Strawberry counts are 20-24, with some 24-26 and the occasional 28 and higher. We have higher counts coming out of the Zamora region on some of the Albions and Sayulitas. We are fighting a little green shoulder in Maravatío, but overall we have good quality. Raspberries in general are looking good, while blackberries look great despite a few rough days last week during the rain event. Blueberry quality is great with very minimal defects. 

  

Blueberries: 

This week we are picking leader berries in Oxnard to kick-start the year. Our organic production will begin with steady harvests mid-January. We anticipate a slow start, but the crop looks great heading into the 2019 harvest season. Meanwhile, our COO, Joe Barsi is touring our Chilean blueberry operations and keeping us updated with photos of the fields, facilities and travels - crops and quality are looking good! Chilean operations are photographed below.

 

 

 

  

Florida:

Weather has been cold in the high 60s with lows in the 50s, and then transitioned into a subtle warming trend over the weekend. Temperatures should increase into the 80s with lows in the 60s, which should push volume this week. After this week, temperatures should decrease slightly into the 70s with nighttime lows in the 50s for more moderate weather and the potential for scattered showers on the horizon, but nothing significant. Quality looks good, and Radiance are 20-22 count and Sensation are 22-24. Overall, crops look nice - organic harvest kicked off earlier than expected today, and labor is not an issue.

  

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. 

Watsonville

Salinas

Santa Maria

Oxnard

Mexico

Georgia

Florida

South America

Have you seen our Merry Berry & Bright Cookie Exchange teaser video? We have a line-up of delicious berry-inspired cookies our consumers can't wait to replicate at home. Our berries are sweet as sugar, and the perfect, natural way to sweeten up desserts this holiday season.

We're calling all consumers to enter into the fun, seasonal promotion by filling out a form that tells us about themselves and their shopper needs. Then, they have the opportunity to upload their very own cookie recipe for a chance to be one of three selected winners to have their recipe replicated in our very own California Giant kitchen and featured on our official California Giant web site. Not only will those three winners have bragging rights for being selected and featured on our site, they'll also receive a little extra 'dough' this season with a $100 gift card. Let the submissions continue - our mouths are watering over here, and we can't wait to see what our creative consumers come up with (and to try a few recipes ourselves!) 

Here at California Giant we like to sweeten up the holidays with our fresh, flavorful berries. We have four holiday favorites we recommend featuring on your winter menu - from breakfast to dinner, and appetizers to cocktails.

Grilled Ribeye with Blackberry Wine Reduction: 

In case you haven't heard, the fall and winter months are all about savory berries. Add a pop of color to your protein this December with a sweet and savory, melt-in-your-mouth blackberry wine reduction garnish. Guests will be sure to clear their plates clean.

Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast: 

Wintertime often means waking up to rain, snow or just plain cold temperatures depending on where you live. Make those mornings extra cozy with this Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast recipe. Layers of strawberry goodness, drizzled sweet syrup and fluffy powdered sugar is sure to have you waking up on the right side of the bed.

Blackberry Mulled Wine:

Blackberries are superstars during the fall-winter months, and if they're falling short on the menu you're missing out big time. Not only is this mulled wine's deep, rich hue totally Instagram worthy, it's sure to keep you warm by the fire with it's sweet n' spice flavor.

Berry and Cheese Platter: 

Berry and cheese charcuterie boards are popping up at festive gatherings, restaurant appetizer and starter menu's and more. Sometimes, you can pass on the entree and indulge in the variety that comes with berry and cheese pairings (just add wine and it's a meal!) Not to mention the diversity of these appetizer platters - add artisan meats, nuts and jams and you have a spread to impress.