By Rick Christianson, Co-op Partners Warehouse Produce Buyer

Citrus is here!

Enjoy the sweet, tart and tangy varieties of citrus that come from our farm partners in California and Texas. Rick Christianson, our produce buyer at Co-op Partners Warehouse (CPW), builds strong relationships with small, organic citrus growers across the country that align with our co-op values and grow the most delicious fruit.

Sespe Creek Organics

– CALIFORNIA –

Located in the Santa Clara River Valley, John Wise of Sespe Creek Organics has been one of CPW’s citrus mainstays for decades. He grows Lemons, Valencia Oranges and Navel Oranges. Aside from Sespe’s excellent horticultural practices, these folks are great to work with, and as loyal to us as we are to them. Sespe has very consistently found a way to keep us well supplied with Lemons and Oranges, even when the market is very short.

Tangerine Man

– CALIFORNIA –

Jim Churchill is known in the organic world as the “Tangerine Man.” His specialty crops are truly amazing. Kishu Mandarins and Pixie Tangerines are the primary crops we see from Jim. Located just 10 miles west of Ojai, Jim’s continued efforts to improve his soil, on land that his family has farmed for over 45 years, produces amazing quality fruit. We really look forward to this fruit every year.

Deer Creek Orchards Buck Brand

– CALIFORNIA –

Deer Creek Orchards Buck Brand citrus is a unique California orchard located right up against the foothills of the Sierras, just west of Porterville. The farm sits below a rock outcrop, that once was an active jade mine. Buck grows an impressive variety of citrus varieties like Navel Oranges, Grapefruit, Satsumas, Shaddock, Cara Cara, Lemonade Lemons, Finger Limes, and their famous TDE Mandarins. These are just a few of the myriad offerings from this remarkable farm.

South Texas Organics

– TEXAS –

Dennis Holbrook has been farming organically outside of McAllen, Texas, since 1984. His ranch produces the spectacular Rio Star Grapefruit that we think is the tastiest grapefruit on the planet. In past seasons, we have relied on South Texas for most of our grapefruit needs throughout the winter and much of the spring.  However, this year South Texas is in recovery mode from the multiple days of hard freeze that hit this region last spring.  Many of the outer fruit bearing branches of their trees were damaged and they were forced to prune heavily. As a result, they will have a severely limited crop this winter.  We will see some fruit from them later in December and into January and probably February.

Fruit World

Fruit World grows and markets for a number of small, high quality Central Valley and Imperial Valley farmers (including Mas and Nikiko Masumoto’s soft fruit in the summer).  Fruit World’s Navel Oranges (grown primarily on co-owner C J Buxman’s ranch) are gracing the shelves now.  Fruit World is a fast growing, very conscientious company that is becoming a leader in the organic community on a number of levels.  They are currently involved in the Equitable Food Initiative, which is a collaboration between growers, farm workers, retailers and consumers working to create a sustainable model for the future of agriculture. They are one of the few marketers who are working with their farms toward participation in the Real Organic Project.

Johansen Ranch

– CALIFORNIA –

One of the real highlights of every December has been the incredibly delicious Satsumas from Johansen Ranch.  Their iconic blue 5# boxes will be prevalent this year through the holidays.  Johansen is in Orland, CA. They are the farthest north citrus operation that we partner with, some 200 miles north of most of the Central Valley product.  Their location means that they see cooler temperatures. That, combined with their heirloom root stock, excellent horticultural practices, and rich volcanic soil leads to citrus that is both sweeter and has incredible depth of flavor.  In addition to Satsumas, we will see Clementines, Meyer Lemons, and later in the season, Navel Oranges and Blood Oranges from this gem of a ranch.

Beck Grove / La Vigne Orchard

– CALIFORNIA –

In stark geological contrast to Johansen ranch, Beck Grove is located in San Diego County, nearly 600 miles south of Orland.  Beck is a biodynamic farm that has their own unique and creative agricultural techniques.  Their farm is beautiful, encompassing a rather steep hill, with charming Spanish-style offices (including a straw-bale-construction “bell tower” with a commanding 360-degree view of the entire region).   In the Fall, Beck sends us Fuyu Persimmons (which are just finishing up now).  Over the next several weeks, we will see many different citrus varieties from Beck, but tops among them will be their incredibly colorful and flavorful Kumquats which have consistently been the best available on the market.

In addition to the farms listed, we are looking forward to working with several other small citrus operations throughout the winter months.  We take pride in finding the best citrus available and are thrilled to be working with so many high-quality farms.