March 20, 2020

Good afternoon,

We understand it has been a challenging week across the globe, let alone the fresh food and produce industry as we pivot and adapt to meet the adversities we are all facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are both inspired and encouraged by the many ways the industry is coming together during these difficult times. We'd like to assure our partners that we are fully operating as an 'essential business' and continuing to grow, harvest, pack, and ship fresh berries to our communities while ensuring the safety of our employees. While the California rainfall that is forecasted to extend into next week may temporarily slow our supply for this present moment, we anticipate heavy volumes to pick up immediately after fields are cleaned and assessed with plenty of fruit on the horizon for the spring season and beyond.

We will continue to provide timely and transparent updates to our partners during these unprecedented times, and look forward to continuing to provide premium quality berries to all.

Crop Updates
Watsonville- Salinas:

After receiving about four inches of rain during the recent storm, a significant portion of red and green fruit is being cleaned up and assessed in the fields. Rain is forecasted again this week beginning Sunday evening through Wednesday with more clean up on the horizon. If we are unable to start the season next week, fruit will go to Unicool. New West will begin receiving fruit Monday, March 30th.

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Santa Maria: 

 

We received about 2-2.5 inches of rain in Santa Maria from the recent storm, with moisture on the way again Sunday, Monday and Wednesday this week. Rain totals do not look threatening at this time but we are keeping an eye on forecasts. Temperatures have been cool and they will be in the 50s-60s this week with lows in the 40s. We are beginning to see minimal decay in the fields from the recent weather, but crews are doing an excellent job of packing clean fruit. Counts across all varieties are in the mid-20s. Labor continues to not be an issue at this time and our field team and growers are doing a great job of disseminating information and updates to crews in light of COVID-19.

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Oxnard:

We received just under an inch of rain this Tuesday with more wet weather ahead between Sunday-Monday, but nothing very significant. As of now, damages are minimal and the grounds are relatively saturated. Our volumes are down slightly due to the damages here and there from rain and decay. Counts are 14-16, and color is 90-95%. Fruit quality looks good despite the recent rains and will continue to improve once fields are cleaned up. Labor is not an issue at this time and our Oxnard growers are doing an excellent job of reinforcing sanitation measures and communicating with field crews.

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Mexico:

Temperatures in Mexico are generally warmer across all growing regions. Maravatio is the only region experiencing slightly cooler temperatures and cloudy skies. Our Mexico operations are efficiently disseminating communications, sanitation measures and protocol to their growers and personnel amidst the COVID-19 news.

Blueberries

Conventional blueberries will remain steady for the next four weeks. Following that, volumes will start decreasing. Production and quality are currently excellent. 

Organic Blueberries

The organic production continues with significant volume and quality is just right.

Raspberries

Raspberry production will increase and remain consistent in the coming weeks. The high temperatures are accelerating the production in the fields and quality is looking good.

Organic Raspberries

Organic production is slowly decreasing, but is expected to increase again with volumes coming from our second organic grower that will begin harvest soon. Quality remains good at this time.

Strawberries

Warm temperatures are affecting strawberry production and quality in this region. However, growers are doing their diligence to deliver good packing quality. Maravatio is currently producing the best quality fruit and production as weather conditions are more mild in this region.

Blackberries

High temperatures are affecting estimates and fruit quality among our blackberry crop. However, volumes will continue to increase for the following weeks.

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Blueberries:

Mexico

Quality out of Mexico continues to be good.

South America

Our final container of Chilean blueberries arrived late this week in Oxnard.

Oxnard Organics

Our estimates decreased slightly out of Oxnard for the next few weeks. Fruit quality is good and berries are mostly firm without any major defects.

Florida

We’ve started to receive light volumes out of Florida. Volumes will continue to be light this week and next, and quality is excellent with good size, firmness, and taste. Weather has been in the mid-high 80s during the day, which is great ripening weather for the fruit. We’re expecting production to ramp up during the first week of April.

Central Valley California

Our first fruit out of the Central Valley will be organic blueberries -  our growers anticipated start date is April 10-15. Our conventional Central Valley growers are expected to begin harvest mid-late April.

Georgia

Georgia’s anticipated start date is around April 1st with light volumes. Production is expected to be light during early April and then ramp up around April 15-20th.

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Florida: 

We have received some bruising on the fruit with the 90-degree temperatures. Counts remain in the 20s among both organic and conventional fruit. We anticipate our conventional season will wrap up at the end of March, with organics to push forward an additional week into April. 

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

 

Chef Invitational
A Message to our Partners:
 
We have been immensely encouraged by the fresh food and produce industry's willingness and ability to pivot and adapt during these unprecedented times as we face the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
While restaurants have been forced to close their dining rooms, operators quickly implemented creative options such as delivery, curbside pick-up, meal prep and even retail grocery options. We've seen wholesale distributors boxing up and selling fresh produce to families as well as to the direct public, and even to homes. Broad line and independent wholesale distributors alike have switched gears from their normal heavy foodservice focus to fill-in the needs of retail as those stores struggle to keep food in stock and on the shelf. The perseverance, tenacity and heart we have seen from the industry during this time is truly inspiring.
 
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As we continue to hear uplifting stories from around the globe of community and unity, we cannot help but feel inspired by our 2019 Chef Invitational Top Chef Travis Peters of The Parish Tucson as he uses his platform and restaurant to give back to his Tucson roots.
 
The Parish is offering half-off menu items for all health care workers including doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and medical technicians, as well as fire department employees, police employees, EMT's, grocery store employees, pharmacists, musicians with canceled gigs, laid-off live entertainment venue employees including The Rialto, The Fox Theater, 191 Toole, The Rock, etc. as well as free meals for all Parish staff during their closure, and free meals for musicians affected by their canceled gigs at The Parish. 
 
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As we look forward to what our 2020 Chef Invitational event brings, now, more than ever, we are encouraging participating chefs to utilize their kitchen space at home to continue to innovate, create, story tell and use this time to prove dynamic dishes can be created even amidst the most challenging times. 
 
We are asking all chefs to send forth any behind-the-scenes photos or footage of their Chef Invitational recipe processes so we can continue to champion our industry chefs as pioneers, innovators and culinary leaders across our various channels as we promote the 3rd year of this dynamic event. Please send photos and videos to tsmith@calgiant.com 
 
While we are closely following the hour-by-hour, and day-by-day updates and coverage from state and federal organizations, we are still looking toward the 3rd Annual Chef Invitational this summer, and want to continue to encourage chef recipe submissions between now and May 1, 2020.
 
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It is our goal to continue to promote togetherness, unity and strength during this otherwise uncertain time - with food continuing to be a beacon of comfort, joy and community for all.
 
We are #poweredbyberries #poweredbychefs 
 
The Chef Invitational Recipe Submission Deadline is May 1, 2020. For more information about the event guidelines, or to enter a recipe, please visit our site here.
 
 
Consumer Spotlight

Leonard, a Walmart shopper from Georgia is a big fan of our sweet strawberries!

"Best strawberries I have ever had. Seriously..EVER!"

Pick of the Week

Breakfast made simple! Smoothies are an easy, at-home morning staple, and California Giant berries make them even sweeter.

Elliot and Leland 4

Send us your own "pick of the week" and we will feature it here!
 

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