Georgia blueberry producers work 52 weeks a year to cultivate their crops and earn a solid reputation as one of the nation’s best purveyors of quality fruit. “Georgia is big enough that it’s grown out of the niche and is getting into a stabilized situation for return on investment,” said Joe Cornelius, chairman of the Georgia Blueberry Commission and owner of J&B Blueberry Farms Inc. in Manor, GA.

CERRITOS, CA — Nearly 300 Southern California produce professionals turned out April 23 for the Fresh Produce & Floral Council's membership luncheon, held at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel, here. The guest speaker for the event was Catherine Burns, president of the Produce Marketing Association.

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As part of on-going efforts to encourage expanded California avocado consumption, the California Avocado Commission launched a new snacking campaign featuring dozens of avocado snack ideas. The program includes retail programs, public relations, social media, email and online communications.

For Stevco, which is based in Los Angeles, but has offices in the grape growing regions, selling both Mexican and Coachella Valley table grapes works very well for its customers.

“We have customers that want fruit out of California and we have others that are not as concerned about the country of origin,” said David Clyde, president of the firm.

The one- and two-pound bags of mini sweet peppers have become a main stream item at many supermarkets helping to grow the category and increase sales.

At least this is the view of Mike Aiton, marketing manager at Prime Time Sales Inc., which is located in Coachella, CA, and is one of the nation’s premier growers of sweet peppers.

He said sales of this relatively new item probably cannibalize traditional bell pepper sales for some consumers, but overall they represent a boost in sales for the pepper category, which has been on a growth curve for at least a decade.

Several factors, including great weather, an improved cultural system, increased marketing opportunities and an early crop, have George Tudor very optimistic about this year’s Coachella Valley grape season.

“The weather has been very steady. Since January, it has not been overly hot and we haven’t had any cold weather,” he said. “On average it has been about 5-10 degrees warmer every day.”