George Kragie, the president of Western Fresh Marketing in Madeira, CA, and a longtime grower-shipper of figs in the Golden State, believes the popularity of the fruit has been helped tremendously in recent years by celebrity chefs.

“Chefs like Emeril Lagasse deserve a lot of credit. They have given us lots of publicity. And in one Iron Chef America episode, figs were one of the main ingredients. That all helps,” he said.

“Our growing partner, Cotton Hope Farms in Monetta, South Carolina, expects that the company’s crop of peaches will be slower than normal out of the gate this year because of an early blast of cold that hit its orchards,” Bob Von Rohr, director of customer relations for Sunny Valley International Inc., headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, said May 5. “This means that our customers will have to wait a little later to enjoy the company’s flavorful southern peaches.”

The California Fig Advisory Board was established more than 60 years ago, according to Chief Executive Officer Karla Stockli.

Black Gold Farms has recently kicked off its 2014 summer red potato harvest with its popular locally grown programs.

Kings Food Markets continues its tradition of bringing customers the freshest, highest-quality ingredients with the 2014 launch of its exclusive 24 Hour Just Picked Promise.

It’s not just the bees that have been buzzing in cherry orchards in the Pacific Northwest. Growers are raving about perfect conditions, which are expected to translate to strong volume and quality fruit as cherry production ramps up in June.

“We’re very excited about the crop,” said Mac Riggin, director of marketing for Chelan Fresh Marketing in Chelan, WA. “This year it’s spread out well, not compressed. And barring any weather events, it’s lining up to be one of the best cherry crops in years.”