California melons are at the peak of flavor! California melon season begins around Memorial Day. Picking a ripe melon is very difficult and is not an exact science. Melons ripen on the vine and do not get any sweeter once picked although texture and flavor can improve. 

Sunny Cal Farms mission is to put quality and flavor above all else. Owned and operated by third generation grower/shipper C.J. Buxman, former president of Fruit World Co., and his wife Maureen. The original Sunny Cal Farms was started in 1981 by Buxman’s father, Carl Jasper Buxman. Sunny Cal Farms grows Thomcord grapes and specialty and traditional citrus.

Organic mini seedless Champagne California grapes are bursting with flavor. Johnni Soghomonian from Three Sisters Organic says “You can eat them in little clusters, stems and all.  You get a little fiber and fabulous flavor!.”

Stop by Earl’s Booth #722 at the Organic Produce Summit Thursday, July 16th. The only event dedicated exclusively to bringing together producers and buyers in the organic fresh produce industry.

The second crop of figs have the rich honey sweetness we associate with delicious figs. Figs love the hot days and warm nights and are grown mainly in the central valley around the Fresno/Madera area to up north of Sacramento in Corning.

Over 99% of the grapes grown commercially in the United States are from California.  Grapes are grown in the 450 mile long by 50 mile wide area between Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley regions and in the Coachella Valley in Riverside County.  Deep purple Thomcords, red seedless Sparkle, and green Stella Bella are just a few of the seasons highlights.

Earl’s long relationship with Burkart begin over 30 years ago. Picked at optimum maturity with the highest sugar levels, Burkart stone fruit has outstanding flavor and is a real crowd pleaser! Richard Burkart grows high-quality organic stone fruit on 45 acres near Dinuba along the northern border of Tulare County about four hours south of San Francisco.

Organic corn is difficult to grow because of a major pest, the corn earworm. Patrick Johnston, owner of Dwelley Farms, shares their secret for keeping the corn earworm away!

The first of the California breba fig crop is also known as the first crop. The breba crop grows on last year’s tree shoots and hasn’t developed the honey sweetness we associate with figs.