January 29, 2019

Hello there!

Anyone else ready for the weekend and it's only Tuesday?! Super Bowl Sunday is just days away and we're looking forward to the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry, but more importantly, we're looking forward to all the bites and beverages that come with it. Berries will be front and center around the television this weekend - with berry infused cocktails, appetizers and more - you can find a few of our favorites below. We're heading into February and berries are a hot commodity, between Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine's Day just around the corner, too!

For more information, including crop and weather reports, please scroll below.

Crop Updates

Watsonville-Salinas:

Our Watsonville-Salinas season is right around the corner. Growers are taking advantage of the recent sunshine to pull weeds and pinch flower.

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Weather has been favorable the last few days with temperatures in the low 70s during the day and 40s at night, with fields starting to dry up from the previous weeks storms. Rain is on the forecast again this weekend from Friday-Monday. Crop quality overall looks good, and conventional counts are 12-14. There is a huge flower set coming in with lots of fruit on the way next month. Our biggest challenges lately have been minor water damage, but quality is looking favorable despite recent weather events. Packs look good, mostly full color with a couple green green shoulders here and there. We’ll get into some San Andreas this week. 

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Oxnard:

Last week we had dry weather mixed with some Santa Ana winds, with steady gusts 25-30mph. It's been good dry-out for the plants following the recent storms, and overall, temperatures have been in the 70-75 degree range the last few days. This week, temperatures are dropping into the 60s with chances of rain forecasted for this weekend. We were able to get back on our feet after the recent rains and will assess any water damage next week if we see some showers. Despite rainfall this month, quality looks good overall with color 95-100 percent and Fronteras 14-16 count, and San Andreas 16-18 count. Volume is predicted to continue to increase if weather persists in our favor come February. The plants are beginning to push new growth, plenty of flowers and green fruit along the with the nice red fruit.

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Mexico:

Strawberry counts from our Mexico growing region are 24-26 - some less. Bulk stems are in the 60s and look good. Overall quality is holding up - only defects include overripe and a few green berries and here there. Temperatures are currently warm in Central Mexico, with temperatures mostly in the 70s and nights around the 40s. Come the first week of February we'll start feeling some heat as temperature rise 10 degrees. Bushberry quality is holding up well and berries are remaining nice and firm.
 
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Chile, Blueberries:

Our blueberries in Chile are increasing in volume week by week due to the warm temperatures. Quality remains good and berries are firm with nice appearance. Our Cauquenes region will be in the 80s - 90s this week and sunny, while Linares and Chillán are similar - Chillán may reach 100 degrees this weekend. Temuco remains slightly cooler with temperatures primarily in the 70s, but a hot day is ahead this weekend with 102 degrees on the horizon. 

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Florida:

Temperatures are in the 50s and sunny in Florida. Plants are loading up with red and green fruit - volume will increase by the end of this week. A warming trend moves through the region the first week of February, with counts ranging from 14-20, and plenty of size for stem berries for the Valentines holiday.

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Weather Conditions

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

 

News

It's official, registration for the second annual Chef Invitational is now LIVE. 

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Does your chef have what it takes to compete? They can register here and expect to receive an official entry form after we have connected with them.

Haven't competed before? Here's a glimpse at what to expect: 

Chefs from various distributor companies will first register to participate in the Chef Invitational submission process.

After registration is complete, they will receive an official entry form to submit their very best berry-inspired entrée or dessert for a chance to be selected to participate in the Chef Invitational. Submissions must be sent in by May 1, 2019.

Selected Chefs will then travel to Monterey, California where they will be greeted by California Giant staff, growers, and brand ambassadors as they tour California Giant fields, participate in forum discussions and various meal events. 

The culinary competition kicks off at Tehama Golf Club, where Chef's are expected to prepare 50+ samples for guests in attendance including foodservice partners. The audience votes for People's Choice, and our esteemed panel of judges will vote for who will receive the title of Top Chef.

Have what it takes to compete? You can learn more about all the prizes, travel details, and additional Chef Invitational information after you register on our site.

 We're looking forward to the innovative and delicious berry recipes to come. Cheers, and good luck! 

For all questions or inquiries regarding the California Giant Chef Invitational, please contact Tom Smith, Director of Foodservice: tsmith@calgiant.com

Super Bowl Sunday: Berry Edition
Super Bowl Sunday - what's on the menu?
 

Strawberry Guacamole - because everyone loves a fresh, seasonal take on the standard table-top guac. A party isn't a party until there's a sweet and savory fiesta in a bowl!

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Blue Cheese and Walnut Stuffed Strawberries- these are the ultimate party-planner's appetizer. They're easy, sweet, tangy with a hint of crunch. Did I say easy..?!

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Strawberry Ancho BBQ Ribs: Ah, the main dish. A nail-biting football game is nothing without some messy BBQ sauce to match. 

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Pomegranate-Raspberry Salad: Amidst all the finger-foods and small plates, folks will be sure to find extra room in their bellies for this mouth-watering seasonal salad. Not to mention, it's Instagram worthy, too!

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Blackberry Thyme Margarita: And of course, to wash it all down, (especially if your team loses) - we have this dangerously good Blackberry Thyme Margarita - nothing pairs better with Super Bowl Sunday.

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Consumer Spotlight
In lieu of the Super Bowl quickly approaching, this sounds like a "W"  to us!
 

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Pick of the Week
This Capitola Trader Joes has California Giant strawberries on deck for the weekend.
 
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  Send us your own "pick of the week" and we will feature it here!


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