Courtesy photo.
VENTURA — It’s a great season for summer fruits according to the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFMA). With a heavy rainy season, the VCCFMA reports that the tree fruit is proving to be extra sweet and plentiful, although bringing some delays along with it.
“Even though it is taking a little longer for the fruit to get to market, the crops are abundant and very tasty,” stated Karen Schott, Operations Manager for the VCCFMA. “And, with the cool summer we are experiencing so far, we are seeing that most fruits are a little behind their normal harvest schedule,” she added.
Grower John Tenerelli of Tenerelli Orchards brings the popular July Flame peach to market, which is expected to be available early to mid-August. Currently, Tenerelli Orchards is offering super sweet white peaches, and will offer ten varieties of yellow peaches through October. In addition, shoppers can select from a full line of white and yellow nectarines this summer season. “The good winter that we experienced has brought us a bountiful crop,” stated Tenerelli. Tenerelli attends both the Ventura market on Wednesday mornings at the Pacific View Mall and the Thursday afternoon market at the Oaks Shopping Center.
Gregory Mizuno of Mizuno Farms offers a wide variety of peaches, plums, nectarines, pluots and grapes, available until the end of September. “Having a milder summer, the tree fruit is sweeter and more flavorful this year,” noted Mizuno. Mizuno Farms attends the Downtown Ventura market on Saturday mornings and the Santa Clarita market on Sunday mornings at the College of the Canyons.
For more information on the summer fruit season and other market offerings, call 805-529-6266, or visit the website at www.vccfarmersmarkets.com
About the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association: The Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association a non-profit farmers’ market cooperative, serves the community of Ventura with two Certified Farmers’ Markets on Wednesdays at the Pacific View Mall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays in Downtown Ventura from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Sundays in Santa Clarita at the College of the Canyons from 8:30 to 12 noon, and the Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center, East End Parking Lot, Wilbur Road & Oaks Mall Drive from 12 noon to 5 p.m.