CLOVIS, CA — California garlic has never been implicated in a foodborne illness, at least not to the knowledge of Robert (Bob) Ehn, chief executive officer and technical manager of the Garlic & Onion Research Advisory Board, here.

But the industry is not taking for granted that it could never happen, and growers, shippers and processors are proactively taking steps to minimize the chances that it ever will.

It’s an old-fashioned tale of supply and demand.

In April, California was hit with a freak hail storm that reduced the on-tree crop of peaches, plums and nectarines. Add to that an ongoing thinning of acreage over the past several years and decreased supplies of local summer fruit deals across the country, and demand is outstripping supply this summer for peaches, plums and nectarines.

To help inspire healthy menu options in chain restaurants, the California Strawberry Commission hosted a culinary workshop for select restaurant chain corporate chefs, menu developers and buyers. The two-and-a-half day event provided an in-depth look at the field-to-fork journey of California strawberries.

“Every year is different, and this year we are expecting the window [for Chilean avocados in the United States] to be from October through the end of March or early April,” said Xavier Equihua, executive director of the Chilean Avocado Importers Association.

Primavera Marketing Inc., in Linden, CA, packs and ships approximately 1.4 million of the 2.2 million boxes of apples produced each year in California, specifically for the fresh market.

On August 3, Richard Sambado, director of domestic sales, told The Produce News that Washington still had some old crop Galas on the market, a later-than-usual occurrence.

From the far reaches of Culiacan in the Mexican state of Sinaloa through Baja and up the California coast, Sambrailo Packaging, located in Watsonville, CA, continues to see increased demand for its one-pint “RunRite” clamshell.