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Strawberry volume is starting to ramp up, as we head into our peak week in Santa Maria and our Watsonville/Salinas growing areas are increasing in volume. Keep your strawberry displays in prominent view as shoppers are looking for easy summer snacks during the summer break.
The Ad Council and NRDC (National Resources Defense Center) have launched their national campaign regarding food waste, and strawberries are the star of their campaign. Scroll down to read more about this, as well as information on our newest consumer campaign, Decadent Vegan Desserts.
For more information, including crop and weather reports, please scroll below.
Pictured above: harvesting blueberries in Porterville, California
Oxnard - Last day of harvest was May 6th.
Santa Maria - Temps last week cooled down to the low 70’s. It was even cooler Thursday through the weekend with temps in the mid 60’s, and nighttime lows in the high 40’s. This week will warm to the low 70’s with another chance of rain May 15th through the 17th. Quality is very nice with only occasional wind scars. Counts range from 14-6, 16-18, and 18-22 depending on variety. Labor is OK. Some ranches are tight on labor, resulting in longer harvest days.
Watsonville - Temps are in the high 60’s/low 70’s, with nighttime lows in the 50’s. Quality is good. The previous rain damage and decay is gone. Counts are up to 10-12 (occasional 14-16). Labor is good. Fields are finishing up by 10-10:30am. There are concerns as volume begins to ramp up. Blackberry and raspberry fields will begin minimal early harvesting this week.
Mexico - Blackberry volumes are picking up slightly and should take us through May.
Blueberries - Quality has been excellent with the cooler weather in California and minimal rain in Georgia. Going forward we will have a steady supply through August on both coasts.
Pictured below: blueberries in Porterville, California
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.
The Ad Council and NRDC (National Resources Defense Center) have launched a national campaign to draw attention to the facts about the increase in food waste and how consumers can help make a difference. Who is the celebrity in their campaign? None other than strawberries.
You might remember our Food Waste campaign, launched back in April, that enabled shoppers to download our Food Waste Free eBook, full of recipes that utilize “past their prime” berries. We plan to promote this video along with our Food Waste Free e-book and encourage our consumer followers to share their stories with us on how they plan to change the ending of this video and eliminate food waste.
To watch their video, click on the picture below. To download our eBook, click here!
Since we are able to track our consumer preferences within our large consumer database, we know that thousands are continually seeking vegan recipes. After the success of our first vegan eBook, Two Weeks of Vegan Breakfasts, we've teamed up again with vegan blogger Kathy Palasky to create nine decadent desserts to satisfy the sweet tooth of those vegans following California Giant and shopping in your stores.
From fruity sorbets to adorable tarts, these desserts will have you and your shoppers craving more, even if you aren’t vegan!
Tapping into your shopper's dietary needs and creating recipes for them keeps California Giant berries on their minds and in their shopping carts.
To download our newest eBook, click here!
