Food & Farm News

» May 30, 2012 «

Wine marketers boost Asian sales

With demand booming in Asian countries, a delegation of wine marketers from California will spend the next two weeks encouraging consumers in Hong Kong and China to sample the state's vintages. The Wine Institute says more than 120 California winery representatives will participate in a trade show in Hong Kong this week—the state's largest showing ever. More than two-dozen wine marketers will visit with consumers in China next week.

More tomatoes to be planted

Up to a million additional tons of tomatoes may be harvested from California fields this year, for use in sauces, ketchup and other tomato products. An outlook report says tomato processors have signed contracts for nearly 13 million tons of tomatoes, up more than 8 percent from last year. If realized, the crop would be the second-largest on record. Observers say cool temperatures and late rains have slowed development of the tomato crop so far.

Walnut acreage continues to rise

Walnuts remain popular with both consumers and farmers. Acreage devoted to walnuts in California increased by 10 percent since 2009, according to a US Agriculture Department report. A survey of walnut growers found that acreage has risen to 280,000, located mainly in the Central Valley. San Joaquin County leads the state in acreage planted in walnuts, and California accounts for nearly all domestic production of the crop.

A park that gives back

Orchards and farm fields are replacing military buildings and roads at a former US Marine base in Orange County. The Orange County Great Park forms an urban retreat for Southern California residents who want to get their hands dirty and experience farming firsthand. The property, which is nearly twice the size of New York City's Central Park, features a farmers market and learning gardens. Some of the produce grown in the park is donated to local charities.