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Member Spotlight: Valley Fig Growers
 Valley Fig Growers, headquartered in Fresno, California, is the largest producer of dried figs in North America. The grower-owned cooperative markets its dried and value added fig products under the Blue Ribbon®, Blue Ribbon® Orchard Choice®, and Sun-Maid® brands to domestic and international retail grocers, food service operators and food manufacturers. Established in 1959, this 30-member cooperative is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Linda Cain, vice president of Marketing for Valley Fig Growers noted that they were established in 1959 to ensure a consistent supply of fair priced California dried figs. Today they are the leading supplier of quality dried fig products to home cooks, culinary professionals, and food manufactures.
Valley Fig Growers’ industrial product line includes whole, sliced and diced figs as well as fig paste (seeded and deseeded), soft paste, concentrate, powder, extruded fruit nuggets (assorted flavors), and fig balsamic vinegar. The company offers custom co-packing, manufacturing and extrusion, private label and gift packs. Kosher, natural and certified organic figs are also available. The California Fig Industry requires that all incoming deliveries be 100% sampled to determine if the fruit meets all incoming standards established by the State of California Marketing Order for dried figs. Only when a grower’s delivery meets the incoming standard will the fruit be allowed to be processed. Valley Fig Growers’ extensive cold storage facilities help maintain the product’s quality from time of receipt to when it’s actually packed. Upon delivery to Valley Fig Growers, all fruit meeting the high quality standards required for whole fig usage is segregated and size graded. The dried figs are washed and processed bringing their moisture content up from the 14-20% as delivered, to a moisture content as high as 31% which make their figs plump, moist and delicious. The fruit then travels through at least 2 more "sorts" to remove blemished fruit. Dried figs destined for their domestic consumer packages and most bulk fig customers are treated with potassium sorbate to inhibit yeast (fermentation) and mold growth. In order to preserve the beautiful golden, amber color of the Calimyrna figs, sulfur dioxide is added, although at much lower levels than is customary for other dried fruits such as apricots, peaches, pears or apples. Valley Fig Growers also offers non-treated figs. Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice and Sun-Maid brand figs are either shipped direct from their Valley Fig Growers facility or to Sun-Maid Growers of California for consolidation with Sun-Maid products. Packaged figs are also stored at remote warehouses to enhance customer service. Valley Fig Growers Quality Control staff ensures that the highest possible quality standards are met. Valley Fig also boasts the only micro-biological lab in the California fig industry, giving them instant access to more in-depth analysis of their products to ensure the finest in quality. Valley Fig is a member of the Dried Fruit Association of California (DFA), which acts as the independent inspection service governing plant sanitation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) to ensure quality fig products. As a result of their rigorous quality assurance program, their outgoing standards for all of their fig products meet or exceed U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Food and Drug Administration standards. For more information on Valley Fig Growers please visit us online at www.valleyfig.com. |
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Comments, questions or story ideas? Please contact newsletter editor Richard Cherrix at 916.561.5900 ext. 107 or richc@agfoodsafety.org  View Newsletter Archive IN THIS ISSUE Member Spotlight: Valley Fig Growers 24th European Dried Fruit Meeting ACFSQ/ DFA Board Members: Don Soetaert, Chairman Shoei Foods USA, Inc. Susan Brauner Blue Diamond Growers Sam Keiper Diamond Foods, Inc. Jack Mariani Mariani Nut Company George Sousa, Sr. Mariani Packing Company, Inc. Barry Kriebel Sun-Maid Growers of California Mark Dalrymple Sunsweet Growers Inc. Mike Emigh Valley Fig Growers Pete Turner Wilbur Packing Company SCTC Board Members: Michael Cassidy, Chairman Sun-Maid Growers of California Chip Litten CalDak International, LLC Bruce Higton California Food Connections Craig Duerr Campos Brothers Farms N. Leon Dermenjian Derco Foods Martin Mariani Mariani Nut Company Jim Zion Meridian Nut Growers, LLC Everett Golden Otis McAllister, Inc. Linda Robbins Pacific Century Trading, Inc. President’s "E" Award By Erika Tarr Known as one of the oldest and most widely trusted companies dealing in global trade of food products, Otis McAllister, Inc. is truly a shinning star. Founded in 1892 by James Otis, Jr., M. Hall McAllister and Everett N. Bee, their mission was simple: to provide their global customers the widest breadth of sources for high quality and reasonably priced foods, beverages and food ingredients and to conduct business with all suppliers and clients in an ethical manner. This practice has continued for one hundred and sixteen year history as a key company in the worldwide food industry. <read more> Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) 2010 Ag Shipper Workshops By Erika Tarr The Specialty Crop Trade Council works closely with The Agricultural Transportation Coalition (AgTc). The AgTC monitors government and commercial activity on ocean shipping and other transportation issues and keeps AgTC members up-to-date on how these will impact their business. To view Ag Shipper Workshop Dates and Locations, please visit http://www.agtrans.org/Section.asp?article_id=1989 American Shipper <view PDF> |
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