Ever wondered where California avocados get their great taste? It all starts with West Pak’s family of growers who put care and craftsmanship into every piece of locally grown, ethically sourced, and sustainably farmed fruit. It’s people like Chuck Bandy, a multigenerational grower in the Temecula Valley, who exemplify the California mindset and the importance of the growing process.
“I have always thought that raising avocados was the quintessential Southern California experience. I have been growing California avocados for about 50 years now. My father was a grower in the San Diego county area, and I grew up eating avocados and helping raise avocados – I have a long history in it. My life has always been outdoors; I’ve been in these rural hilltop locations for hours each week, enjoying the California sunshine and fresh air,” said Bandy, continuing: “I believe my career has been healthy and lucrative, making it a great career choice for me.”
West Pak field reps work closely with local growers year-round to help ensure good quality and sizing. Scott Savard, a West Pak Avocado field representative based in the central California region, mentioned in an early season field report, “By staying proactive and maintaining open lines of communication with their field reps, California avocado growers can navigate the season’s challenges and set the stage for a successful crop.”
California provides the perfect canvas for these creamy avocados to go from grove to grocery store in just days. After careful harvest, processing, and conditioning to each customer’s specifications, West Pak delivers California’s finest avocados to retailers and foodservice throughout the United States.
California avocados are valued for their exceptional quality and taste, driven by the region’s climate and soil. As staples in culinary trends that promote healthier eating, California avocados continue to see rising consumer demand. Nutrient-rich and supporting local agriculture, they are poised for increased availability with larger crop yields in 2025.
Bringing the Story to the Sticker: Sharing the Farm to Table PLU
With California avocado season in full swing, West Pak has rolled out a new Farm to Table PLU sticker, designed to connect shoppers with the story behind their fruit. This label highlights avocados grown by local growers and includes premium varieties such as the classic Hass avocado and the Lamb Hass—a niche variety known for its bold flavor and seasonal appeal.
California in Your Avo Category
In addition to loose fruit to fill retail bins for the 2025 season, West Pak also offers a variety of bagged avocado brands. These brands include California Gold bags in conventional and organic options, along with new country-of-origin bags showcasing avocados from top sourcing regions, including California. There’s also the California GEM Avocados, a unique, slightly larger variety with a great eating quality.
West Pak also works closely with the California Avocado Commission (CAC) to give customers another layer of service. Retail programs from CAC offer merchandising, educational, and point-of-sale materials that prominently call out California to help encourage sales.
“California avocados are at their peak right now, both in terms of volume and flavor, making this an ideal time for promotions,” said West Pak Avocado Vice President of Sales and Business Development Joe Nava. “With the harvest season in full swing, now is the time to highlight California avocado bags, as they can significantly boost visibility and sales, tapping into the growing consumer demand for fresh and delicious ingredients.”
Whether it’s loose fruit with the Farm to Table PLU sticker or branded bagged avocados, to add California varieties to your avocado category, reach out to your West Pak sales rep today. More information is also available through West Pak’s AVO360 Resource Center, which offers educational, marketing, and merchandising support, all tailored to meet the needs of retail and foodservice customers across the globe.
