Spring is in the Air In 2014, spring begins with the vernal equinox on March 20 at 12:57 P.M. EDT. The word equinox is derived from Latin words meaning, “equal night.” Days and nights are about equal everywhere and the sun rises and sets due east and west. Ah, spring! This season brings increasing daylight, warming temperatures, and salads to...

Going Green is Going Strong for Valley Fig Growers The solar panels we recently installed are doing a great job—see for yourself using our Valley Fig Growers Green Link. So far the total energy we’ve generated equals: 37 tons of CO2 saved 4,182 gallons of gas saved 294  60 watt bulbs for 1 year of 8hr/day use The total CO2...

Figs Take Foods From Good to Great in 2014 It’s always fun to see what trends are predicted for the coming year, and how they embrace figs. This year we spotted several. One healthy trend predicts that “bars” will be popular. Not your common cookie bars, these bars include breakfast bars, energy bars, whole grain snack bars, super food bars...

Cookies Make the Season Bright! When we think of baking during the holidays, we often think of cookies. We give them as gifts, exchange them with friends, and bake them with children. Two of our classic favorites, Chewy Ginger Molasses Fig Cookies and Chocolate Fig Crinkles, celebrate the season with style and tradition. Made with Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice and...

It’s National Fig Week, November 1-7! As California’s Dried Fig season takes off and the fresh season winds down, it’s time to get figgy! Celebrate National Fig Week, November 1-7, by enjoying delicious California Figs. Figs offer romance, nutritional superiority and an array of creative, culinary opportunities. Not just another pretty fruit, California Figs deliver a wealth of essential nutrients...

May is Mediterranean Month! Celebrate Mediterranean Month this May. Healthy eating and healthy foods enjoyed with family and friends, that’s the Mediterranean way. Key components of Mediterranean cuisine include lots of plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, healthy fats, such as olive oil, and fish and poultry. If desired, include red wine in moderation....

Spring in California’s Fig Orchards! It’s spring in California’s sunny San Joaquin Valley—home to nearly 100 percent of the nation’s fig orchards. At this time of year, most fig growers are completing the last of the winter deep watering. Pruning is near completion and new weeds are mowed and cleared. Replacement trees are planted in place of trees lost since...

Love At First Bite Contest Winners! Many thanks to everyone who entered our Facebook contest, Love at First Bite. We had so many great entries. Our grand prize winner, Richard W. from South Carolina, will be jetting off to Boston to watch a filming of America’s Test Kitchen and enjoy a “Taste of Boston”. Visit our Facebook page and website...

Jump for Joy, It’s January We are so excited 2013 is finally here. We’ve been busy creating new contests and opportunities for you to win lots of fun stuff this year. Along with our contests, we have Twitter parties planned with the experts at America’s Test Kitchen and we have a host of amazingly delicious new recipes. On a healthy...

Raising the Bar with California Figs As the holidays fast approach, baking and gift giving are in the air. Bar cookies, in all their gloriously delicious variations, make the perfect gift for friends and family.   Take your holiday baking up a notch this season by using California Figs. From Fig & Goat Cheese Squares to Chocolate Fig Pecan Bars we...

Fresh to Dried–Figs are Marvelous! Figs ripen on the trees August through October. Beginning in October, the growers harvest the semi-dry figs and bring them to our packing plant in Fresno, California.  We wash, sort and process the figs, ultimately packing the best ones available for you to enjoy throughout the year. Drying concentrates the flavor and nutrition and gives...

Host a Party with International Flair and Flavor! We are a global community in so many ways, enjoying food, music and sports from around the world. No matter what the sport or where the athete hails from, we love and appreciate experiencing outstanding athletic accomplishments. Now is the perfect time to get together with friends, talk about the diversity of...