WHY WAWONA
Wawona's Family of Growers
Wawona Celebrates its Growers in the "Peach Capital of the World"
Originally, the company started as a peach processor in 1963 and over the past six decades added strawberries, blueberries, mangos and a dozen other fruits to its frozen product mix.
Today, peaches remain the cornerstone of their business as there are still orchards next to the entrance of their main processing facility in Clovis. Calif. The region surrounding Clovis is the Central Joaquin Valley, which is known as the “Peach Capitol of the World.”
Every June, approximately 100 peach growing families in the valley supply Wawona with approximately 55,000 tons of fruit. These fresh peaches are delivered to Wawona facilities, which after processing, yield over 70 million pounds of fresh frozen products every year.
Stewards of the Land
Wawona has a long-time relationship with many of these family farmers, some going back 2-3 generations. As true stewards of the land, the peach growers operate their farms to ensure the land is viable for not only their use, but for generations to come. This includes carefully managing sustainable concepts such as recycling, reducing pollution, and minimizing use of fertilizer, pesticides, and water.
Wawona Frozen Foods helps its farmers manage their production by delivering their fruit to markets all over the country: Schools, restaurants, smoothie shops, and so much more.
Grower Spotlight
Liz Hudson, and Her Late Husband, Earl Hudson
Farm size: 180 acres in Sanger, Calif.
Size of peach orchards: About 90 acres
Years working with Wawona: Since 1985
What’s it like growing peaches in the San Joaquin Valley?
“There’s an incredible Mediterranean climate in the valley, so there aren’t a lot of weather challenges like in the south. The rainy, cold winters are followed by consistent dry weather in the spring, summer and fall months in most years. The good soil certainly plays into it too, and in our area, we have a more reliable water table with good surface supply.”
What’s better: Frozen or Fresh Fruit?
“The frozen peaches are more tree ripened, as the frozen market wants the fruit to be ripe and firm, while the fresh market just wants them ‘firmer’. As a result, if you want fresh peaches year ‘round to put into pies, cobblers, jams, etc., use Wawona’s frozen peaches. They taste just as good as if you peeled them that day.”
What’s It Like Working with the Owners of Wawona?
“We wouldn’t be farming today, if it weren’t for Wawona and the Smittcamps. They are a stand-up family and surround themselves with good people like Jim Montross their farm manager … it doesn’t come any finer than him.”
Lance Shebelut
Farm size: All combined with his partner David White: 1,700 acres near Madera, Calif.
Size of peach orchards: About 300 acres
Years working with Wawona: Since 1989
What’s one of the most satisfying aspects of being a grower for Wawona?
“As a grower, it makes you feel good knowing people, especially school children, are getting healthy, safe and nutritious products. Also, it’s exciting to see what you grow on display as products at Costco, Save Mart and all these stores.”
What’s the difference in growing your peaches for Wawona as frozen fruit vs. what’s sent to the fresh fruit market?
We use the exact same farming practices as they’re both getting a healthy, safe, nutritious product. The big difference is we’re able to pick the Wawona fruit 1-2 days later so it’s riper for Wawona than the fresh peaches.”
What’s it like working with the owners of Wawona?
“The Smittcamps have been real champions in the peach industry… not only frozen but fresh peaches as well. They are incredible people who have supported peach growers in this area for a very long time. It’s an honor, to be honest, to grow for them.”
