Mark Munger

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce in San Diego, CA, which grows strawberries year-round in several districts in Cali

Well-Pict grows strawberries in various districts in California, making the berries available year-round. In each district, the company grows a different proprietary variety from its breeding program that has been bred and developed specifically for the conditions in that district.

California Giant Berry Farms in Watsonville, CA, grew primarily the San Andreas and Albion varieties in its Oxnard, CA, operation. This year, according to Marketing Director Cindy Jewell, the company has “really stepped away from Albion” and has put about one-third of its Oxnard acreage into Benicia, a new University of California variety released in 2010.

Fritz Koontz

Santa Cruz Berry Farming Co.

In late December, the Coca-Cola Co. told the U.S. Food & Drug Administration that it had discovered low levels of a fungicide not approved for use in the United States in its orange juice.

The contamination came from Brazil, where growers legally use the fungicide carbendazim to fight black spot mold on oranges.