John Harley, sales manager for Anthony Vineyards Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, told The Produce News that as increasing numbers of retailers learn about the company’s consistent organic supplies, more are embracing having seasonal California grapes.

Mr. Harley added that this opportunity was not available as recently as just five years ago, and is what “brought [Anthony Vineyards] to the organic table,” he said, adding that “no other company is positioned to do this.”

Marc Marchini, sales coordinator for J. Marchini Farms in Le Grand, CA, said that the weather has been colder than normal this year, and it is taking a toll on just about every crop in the state.

“Tomatoes, such as our Marzano tomatoes, can go into a dormancy state if the weather stays too cold, but fortunately that hasn’t happened,” Mr. Marchini said. “But it will delay all crops, including tree fruit, row crops in the state, and our organic figs.”

Brothers Jerry, Keith and Greg Mixon share ownership and management of Sunnyridge Farm Inc. in Winter Haven, FL, a leading berry producer and shipper. The company has growing operations in regions throughout North and South America. Domestically, it follows the seasons from Florida northward.

On June 3, Jerry Mixon told The Produce News that the company was moving a significant volume of organic blueberries in Georgia.

Homegrown Organic Farms in Porterville, CA, remains satisified with the spinoff of its organic vegetable and melon operations to Creekside Organics Inc. in Bakersfield, CA. the company first announced the move in an April press release.

Scott Mabs, director of marketing for Homegrown Organic Farms, told The Produce News the company turned the row crops it has done in the past, such as melons and bell peppers, over to Creekside.

The New Jersey blueberry deal is a “short, fast season,” starting in mid-June and running about six weeks, with “really nice quality berries,” and it “plays an integral role” in Driscoll’s year-round blueberry program, bridging “the gap between North Carolina and Michigan,” said John Johnston, blueberry business director for Watsonville, CA-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc.

HAMMONTON, NJ — The 2011 New Jersey blueberry season was getting ready to begin when John Galaida, general manager of Pleasantdale Farms, spoke to The Produce News the first day of June. “You see a few berries starting to turn blue,” he said.