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Scheduled for July 8-9 in Monterey, California, the much-awaited 2020 California Organic Produce Summit has been cancelled in light of the impact of COVID-19.

A new project outlines how organic and more sustainable farming practices can offer a means to save California, which is currently facing a climate crisis, with rising temperatures, frequent heat waves and wildfires. Years of drought have created limited water supplies and the disruption of normal ecosystems.

California’s organic navel campaign is starting earlier each year, with the new season having got underway at the start of November. Producers are predicting a good campaign, with sales set to peak around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Reports suggest the crop is 15% less than average, but sizes are significantly larger and should peak at 72 to 88 size. While, there was a time when no fruits would be available before Christmas, new treatment protocols allow for ripe and well-coloured organic oranges to be ready for Thanksgiving.

On March 20, berry specialist Driscoll’s has sued California Berry Cultivars (CBC) and its co-founder Douglas Shaw for alleged patent infringement and conversion of its proprietary strawberry varieties. This case follows a previous complaint made by UC Davis against California Berry Cultivars (CBC) in May 2017, when a jury found CBC guilty of “wilful patent infringement”. Following the outcome of this trial, CBC breeding records were made public, allegedly revealing that CBC had been breeding with several of Driscoll’s varieties.

California expects its lowest avocado harvest in a decade due to last year’s intense heat wave across the state. According to California Avocado Committee estimates, this year’s crop will be 79,000 tons - 48% lower than last year's 153,000 tons. The state’s crop fluctuates greatly on an annual basis, with its record harvest being recorded in 2010, when total production volumes reached 242,445 tons. Peru and South Africa also expect declines in their avocado crop this year.

Grape polyphenols helped offset some of the adverse health consequences of consuming a high fat diet rich in saturated fat, according to two laboratory studies^1,2 conducted at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and published recently in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

This year’s food trends lead to the produce department of  Frieda’s Specialty. From the clean-eating movement to a more vegetable-centric menu, this American company promises a great vegetable revolution in 2016.

A total of 110.5 million boxes (109.3 million 19-pound box equivalents) of California table grapes were shipped during the 2015 season, setting a new record crop value at $1.83 billion, surpassing the previous record set in 2014 of $1.76 billion.

In a press release, the California Table Grape Commission said the majority of the crop is consumed in the U.S. In 2015, 34.7% of the total volume was exported to over 50 countries around the world, with a total export volume of 37.9 million 19-pound boxes valued at $737.8 million.

Do you know the best way to freeze grapes for a cool, sweet summer treat? Ever tried pan roasted chicken with green grapes?

California’s Sun World International, LLC has unveiled a new web site that provides just such information and inspiration and covers about anything consumers might want to know about table grapes.

Grape recipes, how-to guides and health Information are among the topics covered on the site, which has been optimised for accurate viewing on any device.