Salinas Valley growers open their doors to OPS attendees

: by John Groh | July 17, 2019

MONTEREY, CA — Attendees of the fourth annual Organic Produce Summit loaded on to buses Wednesday morning, July 10, and headed off to different locales to tour organic growers’ facilities and learn more about how the organic produce offered at retail is grown and handled. The participating growers included Taylor Farms, Braga Fresh, Driscoll’s, Ocean Mist Farms and Tanimura & Antle.

Retail buyers sampled various strawberry varieties at the Driscoll’s company ranch in Watsonville.

Esteban Villanueva and Ernesto Maldonado of Star Produce.

Emily Musgrave, organic program manager at Driscoll’s, spoke about the company’s organic growing practices.

John Erb, vice president of social environmental impact at Driscoll’s, discussed the company’s philosophies pertaining to sustainability.

Zach Silva, organic raspberry manager at Driscoll’s, informed attendees about the company’s organic raspberry program.

John Erb, vice president of social environmental impact at Driscoll’s, chatted with Monina Knox of Sobey’s about Driscoll’s efforts to reduce plastics in its packaging.

Kenny Kataoka of Melissa’s and Jennifer Arth of Sendik’s Food Markets.

Phil Davis of Pacific Coast Fruit with Jamie Gilson, Jeff Darling and Suzanne Wegner of Roth’s, an Oregon-based retail chain.

Stacy Lai, Primal Shah and Mei Mei Stark of Albertson’s sampled some organic raspberries at the Driscoll’s facility.

John Savidan, senior director of produce and floral at Gelson’s, looks on as a quality control worker tests some Driscoll’s raspberries.

Cartons of Driscoll’s raspberries set to be loaded onto a truck for distribution.

Driscoll’s mission statement posted on the wall of the warehouse in Watsonville.

A tour of Braga Fresh's organic celery operation.

Rod Braga discussing Braga Fresh's organic celery operation.

Josie's Organics organic celery from Braga Fresh.

Ocean Mist Farms artichokes.

Ocean Mist Farms artichokes in the field.

Dale (Artichoke Whisperer) Huss, vice president of artichoke production at Ocean Mist Farms.