Johnston Farms debuts BlueJay brand citrus carton as fruit continues to size up
Johnston Farms debuts BlueJay brand citrus carton as fruit continues to size up
Citrus fruits on Johnston Farms’ orchards in eastern Kern County, CA, were sizing up nicely by mid-January. Even as early as late December, the company was moving quality citrus to its global customer base.
On Jan. 12, Derek Vaughn, sales representative for the Edison, CA-based company, told The Produce News that the region was getting better moisture.
“That, combined with cooler nights, has really helped the fruit to size up,” said Vaughn. “And we now have a good range of sizes.”
The new BlueJay brand 3/4 view carton lid graphic update is being introduced in 2016. Image by Fierro Design LLCJohnston Farms’ citrus season typically runs from the first of November through late April. The company ships mainly to wholesalers and into export markets including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan. It also distributes its citrus fruits into Canada.
Current excitement at the company is spurred by its preparation to debut its new BlueJay brand citrus carton this winter.
“We’re launching the new box for our late varieties of Autumn Gold Navel oranges and Lane Late Navel oranges,” said Vaughn. “Our plan is to eventually use it for our entire citrus program.”
He added that the box would be launched in the first week or two of March as harvesting begins on these late Navel varieties.
In addition to its BlueJay brand, Johnston Farms markets fruit under the Victor label. Top J and Gold Mountain labels are used primarily for the company’s export markets.
The Navel orange category is strong for the company, and it produces a mix of early, midseason and late varieties, giving the company the ability to market Navels into April and May.
“In addition to Navel oranges, Johnston Farms produces stem- and leaf-on Mandarins and grapefruit,” said Vaughn. “Mandarins run from mid-November to late February. We produce Satsuma, Murcott, Tahoe Gold and Gold Nugget mandarin varieties. Our grapefruit program runs from late November to mid-April.”
He noted that the company’s orchards are free of diseases or insects, such as citrus canker.
“We are fortunate to have a strict protocol in place to help prevent these issues,” said Vaughn. “And so far it has worked as we are totally free of both diseases.”
