January 7, 2019

This region did receive some decent rainfall over the weekend and damage will be assessed today as we begin the new week. As we headed into the stormy weekend, our Fronteras looked very good at mostly 12-14 count and 90% color. Showers are on the horizon again this week beginning Wednesday and again on Friday, Sunday and Monday. A very close eye will continue to be kept on quality when packing through these various storms.

Oxnard:

We received 1.3 inches of rain last night into this morning - the field conditions are very muddy and wet - at this time we are not picking any conventional fruit. The organic ranch is picking today - this field drains quite well due it’s south slope, but it's still under muddy and wet conditions as well. The organic fruit looks very good, the only issue is the moisture on the fruit and in the baskets, and some moisture on the bottom of the boxes. The fruit has not been compromised by the rain as of yet. You can see from the pictures that the fruit looks fine, and despite the wet conditions, the workers are doing a great job.

Mexico:

Blueberries: 

We are starting to pick up production on our organic blues in Oxnard within the next week or so. We have high volume still in North-Central Chile with great quality among all varieties - Legacy, Duke and Ventura. Our South-Central zone is in full harvest of mid-season varieties - with Legacy and Briggita being the current primary varieties. Bluegold, Bluecrop, Camellia, Blue Ribbon have great size and appearance as well. Our South zone's first shipments are expected to start this week with Legacy and Bluegold being the main varieties in the beginning stage. Weather remains warm in all regions with Temuco slightly cooler and to receive minor rain at the beginning of this week.

Florida:

Weather this week is expected to be warm with clear skies. Our Brilliance variety looks great at 18-20 count, with Sensations and Radiance - 22-24. Organics are currently 22-24 - full color and only minor issues with white shoulder. We currently have no labor issues and foresee a big push in volume industry-wide come next week.

Pictured: (our East Coast Operations Manager's daughter enjoyed a day in the fields with her dad...and got to taste-test some berries too!)

 Every year the month of January floods shopper's with the pressures for weight-loss, fad diets and re-organization of work and personal life. Sure, it's a New Year and a new beginning, and finding motivation to improve in various aspects of life can be inspiring and certainly helpful. However, to kick off 2019, we want to remind consumers to take the weight off their shoulders and just enjoy the fresh start the New Year brings, and focus on the stuff that makes us feel good. Rather than fixating on all the things we feel we need to change or improve, why not celebrate what we already love? We are excited to launch our 31 Days of Self Love Sweepstakes this month where we'll celebrate life's indulgences, treat ourselves and do more of what we LOVE in 2019. Whether that's spending more time with friends, pursuing more of your favorite hobby, or giving yourself that 10 extra minutes a day to just relax and focus on you.

 

 

We're taking to social media this month and opening up the discussion for our consumers to share the ways they plan to celebrate self-love this year, while tagging their besties to share to continue the conversation. In the meantime, we'll be sharing our very own Self-Love stories on the Buzz Blog, and will be selecting a few lucky participants to win 1 of 5 $50 Gift Cards to put toward something that makes them feel like their best-self in 2019. Let's show some love in the New Year!

 

 

 

 

Top quality, freshness and a clean pack is what we guarantee our customers. We're glad Pam from Ohio enjoyed her California Giant strawberry purchase from her local Giant Eagle!