Certain varieties of apples such as the Canadian McIntosh, California Gala and Jonagold are only available at this time of year and should be enjoyed now.

The Big Jim is the most common New Mexico chile variety boasting meaty walls and a large size (up to 14 inches in length!). The heat can vary from mild to medium, and the flavor is sweet and slightly smoky. Victor from La Granjita buys seeds from the Hatch Valley to grow his own Big Jim peppers, so you can taste the essence of New Mexico without a trip to the state.

We are coming to the end of the California peach season and the transition from early season peaches, to late harvest peaches.  They are lower in moisture and less juicy than early varieties but they are full of flavor.

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!.”

Now is the best time of the year to eat fresh figs. The first crop arrives in June and hasn't developed the honey sweetness we associate with a delicious fig. There is a brief break during July before the 2nd crop arrives around the end of July/early August. Figs develop their peak flavor from the middle of August to around the middle of September. In our opinion it is worth waiting for that delicious, incredibly rich and sugary fig.

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.

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. 

Earl’s Mango Mania Display Contest encourages retailers to try bigger, bolder, and more innovative displays in order to drive sales and lead consumers into a Mango Mania frenzy!

Balakian Farms is a family-owned 4th generation farm growing an oasis of delicious organic stone fruit in Reedley, California.