---
title: February 20, 2020
description: This bi-weekly newsletter delivers information about our crops, the weather, consumer promotions & current news about California Giant Berry Farms.
image: https://trade.calgiant.com/hubfs/Chef%20Travis%20Peters-1.jpg
---
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- [Weather Conditions](https://trade.calgiant.com/newsletters/february-20-2020#weather-conditions)
- [3rd Annual Chef Invitational](https://trade.calgiant.com/newsletters/february-20-2020#foodservice)
# February 20, 2020
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Happy Thursday!
This week we officially announced our 3rd Annual California Giant Chef Invitational, welcoming both retail and foodservice partners and Chefs and we couldn't be more excited about the 2020 event - not to mention, we're taking the fun to Portland, Oregon! The [Recipe Submission Portal](https://promos.calgiant.com/chef-invitational-2020-entry-form#anchor-cgci-entry-form) is OPEN and we're accepting berry-inspired entree and dessert recipes for a chance to be selected as a Chef Finalist to attend our PNW blueberry tours, educational activities, meal events and *more.* To learn more about the 2020 event, scroll down below or visit our site [here](https://promos.calgiant.com/chef-invitational?hsCtaTracking=84bb5d35-9c81-466a-a0f9-6258b3906f7f%7C756c1aee-f9ec-42a9-90f3-c868d76cc871).
*Good luck Chefs!*
For more information, including crop and weather reports, please scroll below.
Crop Updates
**Santa Maria: **
Weather in Santa Maria was warmer this week in the low-mid 70s with lows in the 40s. We have a chance of rain and cooler temperatures on the horizon for Saturday, but odds of precipitation look low at this time. After this, weather looks to warm back up into 70s again with favorable conditions. Quality on Fronteras is looking great at 12-14 count with great color, sheen and shape. We currently have no issues with this crop. San Andreas is also 12-14 with some slightly crooked tips here and there, but nothing we are concerned about. This crop is also full color and looks good for the most part. Monterey is still slow to start and will ramp up production come mid-March. Organic Fall Crop is 24-26 and a bit tender to the touch and will be winding down in a few weeks. Our Organic Spring Crop is 12-14 count and looking good. We have a lot of foot traffic and no issues with labor at this time. Volumes will be picking up consistently the next few weeks. We also conducted our corrugated clamshell testing in Santa Maria this morning, and so far packs are looking good and clean, and we look forward to continuing to test these packaging prototypes.
**Oxnard:**
Weather in Oxnard has been mild and temperate and will cool off slightly this weekend into the 60s with a chance for rainfall. After this, weather next week looks to warm up with sunny skies with no rain for the next 7-10 days. Quality is looking good and fruit has nice shape, sheen and 95-100% color. Fronteras is 14-16 count and San Andreas is 16-18 and holding size nicely. Both may decrease in size in the coming weeks but nothing drastic. Fields have lots of bloom and nice flower, and rows are really about to 'pop' with fruit in the next month or so.
 
**Mexico:**
In general, all Central Mexico growing regions have had increased temperatures and clear skies. However, we have had mid-low temperatures during the night with daytime highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s.
**Blueberries**
Weather has slowed down overall production for blueberries. However, the changes in weather are ripening fruit quicker and growers have more fruit to pick, and are adjusting harvest schedules and field personnel accordingly. The volume will increase for the next few weeks. Blueberry quality is looking good in general, and any defects such as over-ripe or dehydration from heat are being monitored diligently.
**Organic Blueberries**
Organic blueberry production is increasing and quality looks good.
**Raspberries**
Raspberry production is increasing the next few weeks, and quality is just right.
**Organic Raspberries**
The production is remaining consistent, and will then begin to decline in about 3 weeks. Quality is looking good at this time.
**Strawberries**
Weather has affected strawberry production. Temperatures are affecting the volumes, and will continue to do so if the conditions continue. The volume for the next weeks will decrease, and quality is being monitored diligently.
**Blackberries**
The production will remain consistent for the next few weeks. The quality has been affected by high temperatures, but growers are working to ensure crop quality maintains.
**Blueberries:**
**Mexico**
Production is increasing steadily in Mexico for the next 4 weeks.
**South America**
We are winding down and going through final picks in our Chilean region. Final containers are on the water with light volume ahead through the end of month.
**Oxnard Organics**
We are currently in peak production and quality is looking great in Oxnard.
**Florida: **
We will begin harvest in Florida on March 21st with light volume to start.
**Florida: **
Weather has been hot in Florida with temperatures in the low-mid 80s and nighttime lows in the 50s. A cold front is moving in with temperatures in the low-mid 60s and lows in the 40s. After that, it should warm up again into the 80s, and then drop back down into cold temperatures for another week or so. These cold temperatures will be favorable for our crop to help firm up fruit. Brilliance counts are 22-24, while Sensations are anywhere from 16-20. Volumes will begin to decrease over the next few weeks.
Weather Conditions
For up-to-date weather conditions in all of our growing regions, click on the region below. [Wunderground.com](http://www.wunderground.com/) is our go-to weather resource for fast and reliable weather updates.
[Watsonville](http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:95076.1.99999)
[Salinas](http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:93901.1.99999)
[Santa Maria](http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:93454.1.99999)
[Oxnard](https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/ca/oxnard/93030)
[Mexico](https://www.wunderground.com/weather/mx/zamora)
[Georgia](https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/ga/homerville/31634)
[Florida](https://www.wunderground.com/weather/us/fl/plant-city)
[South America](https://www.wunderground.com/weather/ar/metan)
3rd Annual Chef Invitational
**Our 3rd Annual California Giant Chef Invitational is Here!**
This year we're hitting the road and bringing chefs to Portland, Oregon for the 3rd Annual California Giant Chef Invitational! For the first time ever, we will be opening up the competition to **BOTH** our retail and foodservice partners to create an even more dynamic, unified culinary experience. We're asking Chef participants to bring forth their best berry-inspired entree and dessert recipes for the chance to be selected as a Chef Finalist and attend an all-inclusive trip to Portland, Oregon to tour our PNW blueberry operations, while focusing on an all-encompassing yearlong effort to celebrate the ‘Year of Blue’ - a color of deep symbolism for our brand and company heritage.
Our [Recipe Submission Portal](https://promos.calgiant.com/chef-invitational-2020-entry-form#anchor-cgci-entry-form) is officially **OPEN**, and we are asking Chef participants to submit *at least* one berry-inspired entree or dessert recipe by **May 1, 2020** to be considered for a Chef Finalist position. Similarly to the previous two years, Chef recipes will be judged based upon appearance, use of at least two berries in a quantity of one cup or more, flavor and creativity. The Chef Finalists will be selected and announced to the industry by **May 11, 2020** and invited on the exclusive Portland blueberry tour where next steps will be provided to compete for 2020 California Giant Top Chef.
Upon arrival, Chef Finalists can expect blueberry field tours in the lush countryside outside Portland city limits, one-on-one time with blueberry growers, educational activities, a look inside California Giant’s sustainability initiatives and Bee Better Program, berry varietal tastings, chef swag bags, meal events, and a suspenseful second-phase of the competition.
While phase two of the competition will be revealed to chefs in Portland, we can let our partners know *one thing* about what's ahead - it is going to be every bit of thrilling, challenging and fun - and we can't wait for you to join us on the journey!
We are incredibly excited to host this event again for the 3rd consecutive year as we continue to build upon our relationships with our partners and their chefs, create more fresh, innovative berry recipes, welcome new Chef Ambassadors and ultimately continue to drive innovation and sales to the berry category.
Want to learn more about how you and your chefs can get involved in the 3rd Annual California Giant Chef Invitational? You can find our 2020 Guidelines [here](https://trade.calgiant.com/hubfs/CGCI%20GUIDELINES%202020_%20REVISED.3.pdf).
Please submit a berry-inspired entree or dessert recipe in our [Recipe Submission Portal](https://promos.calgiant.com/chef-invitational-2020-entry-form#anchor-cgci-entry-form) by **May 1, 2020.**
***Good luck chefs!***
#poweredbyberries #poweredbychefs
Consumer Spotlight
The sweetest words about the *sweetest* California Giant blueberries!
***"These are the first blueberries I have had in YEARS that taste like blueberries should! Thank you to the farmers who raised this wonderful produce."***
Pick of the Week
*Our berries are international!*
These California Giant raspberries from Mexico were well received by United Fruit Growers in Kent, UK.
[Send us your own](mailto:%20mmaitoza@calgiant.com) "pick of the week" and we will feature it here!
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