If Spring had a signature vegetable, asparagus would be it. Fresh asparagus has a short but glorious season, which makes us even more excited when it makes its appearance in the boxes.
California grown asparagus has become increasingly desolate throughout the state. We used to steadily bring in asparagus from Ippolito International, who grew asparagus up in Salinas, but they pulled out of growing in the state two years ago and just strictly grow in Yuma and Mexico now. Last year, we got connected with a long-time asparagus and potato grower out of the Delta, Greg Paul Produce Sales. Their asparagus label, Delta Queen, is the last brand of asparagus grown in the delta peat soil.
Greg Paul Produce was founded in 1979 by Greg Paul and his wife, Tamera. Greg’s grandfather grew up in the Santa Maria Valley, growing seed potatoes. His father also came from a farming background, growing potatoes in Shafter, California. Greg went to Cal Poly and worked in many aspects of the ag industry, including managing Johnston Farms in Edison, California, where we get our Blue Jay satsuma tangerines from!
In 1979, he got an opportunity to form his own company, representing major potato and asparagus growers in the Stockton Delta. Ever since then, they’ve been keeping the Delta tradition alive of once being known as the hub of asparagus in California. Between March and June, they harvest daily, weather dependent, bringing graded and sized product from the field to their packing facility daily. It’s then packed, hydro-cooled, and palletized in their cold room to maintain freshness.
Though the acreage of California grown asparagus is decreasing each year, we’re proud to offer this spring-time favorite in the boxes and continue to support our California farmers!
