PORTERVILLE, CA - Another successful summer fruit program has come to a close, and Homegrown Organic Farms is jumping into its fall fruit category with full force.
Kicking off its fall program with organic Shinko and Hosui Asian Pears, grown in the heart of the valley, in Kingsburg, CA, these varieties will be offered in both double and single layer trays depending on size. Last year, Homegrown expanded its entire organic fall fruit line with new growers and new acreage, continuing the company’s commitment to sustainable growing.
“The organic fall fruit category continues to grow for us and it’s an exciting time to be a part of it,” Cherie France, Marketing Manager of Homegrown Organic Farms tells me. “Along with the category growth, we have seen an increased concern of social responsibility, including food safety, sustainability, and labor, across all fresh produce commodities. We pride ourselves in the fact that we’ve always been a market leader with regard to these topics, and our customers have come to recognize this.”
Also on Homegrown's agenda is the company's pomegranate harvest, with new acreage expected to start production both this year and next. The Smith variety, which Cherie describes as a unique early season variety known for its vibrant red color, soft seeds, and high juice content, may arrive any day now, but the company is also expecting Wonderfuls to begin in early October.
“We’ll be harvesting in Fresno, Madera, and Tulare Counties this season. The crop is looking good with excellent flavor profiles and eating quality," Cherie continues. "All our #1 production will be packed in double layers while our new EcoPac label will be packed in both double layer and volume fill which will provide an exceptional value for our retail and wholesale partners.”
On the home front, Homegrown launched its new sustainability program earlier this year, called Committed to Caring, and continues to use it to showcase the company’s efforts in caring for the land, the environment, and our communities. According to the company, the response from our customers has been outstanding.
“We offer a full line of resources to help retailers merchandise and promote Homegrown products including grower photos and bios,” Cherie says. “Consumers love to know where their food is coming from and who their farmer is so we’ve recently included a QR code on our packaging that links with our grower stories on our website. This, along with many of our other resources, helps to bridge the gap between consumers and their growers and we love to help folks make that connection.”
Keep watching AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover all of Homegrown’s fall varieties and its continued dedication to growing organics.
