May 24
2012

A Tour of the California Avocado Industry

in ad-free, Avocado Sisters, Avocados, Californian

Bloggers on CAC Tour

A few weeks ago I went on an avocado tour, hosted by the California Avocado Commission (CAC).  This year CAC has declared June as “California Avocado Month,” so I thought it would be fun to get us all prepped to celebrate with a look at what I saw on the tour.  Although March through September marks the peak of the California avocado season, the avocado farmers work hard year round to ensure a good harvest each year.  Ed McFadden, CA Avocado Commissioner and avocado farmer, who was on the tour with us, said, “To grow avocados, you have to do about a dozen things perfectly and then pray for good weather . . . Mother Nature is playing games with us all the time.  So we’re just trying to keep up and keep the trees happy.”

Rachael picking avocados

Picking avocados is harder than it looks! Photo Credit: Andrew Wilder, eatingrules.com

Through talking to Ed, whose obvious love for avocado farming was infectious, to getting a look at the avocado groves at Fairfield Farm in Pauma Valley, California, managed by Carol and Bill Steed, relative newcomers to avocado farming, we came to better appreciate the hard work, special skill, and knowledge that goes into growing this beautiful fruit.  We also got to see how avocados get from the tree and into the consumers hands, via packing houses, like West Pak, in Temecula, California.

Sorting Avocados at West Pak

Lots of hard work, knowledge, and care to bring us one of my all-time favorite foods.  And oh the things that can be done with avocados!  We were treated to an avocado themed lunch feast, from Sorrell Bistro, from avocado bread topped with hummus, fresh avocados and tomatoes, to wild salmon with avocado corn tapenade, and my personal favorite—a vanilla bean avocado frozen yogurt topped with granola and fresh berries.

Vanilla Bean Avocado Frozen Yogurt

Take a peak into the California avocado industry by watching my video!

* Thank you to the California Avocado Commission for providing this educational tour!

** A BIG thank you to my sweet friend, and Avocado Sister, Mimi Avocado for making this day possible for me by watching the Fujilings.  They had their own avocado adventure!

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

nicole @ I am a Honey Bee May 24, 2012 at 2:28 pm

wow that looks like such a fun time!
you look fantastic in that photo :-)

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Mimi Avocado May 24, 2012 at 3:33 pm

We had such a good time with the Fujilings while you were on the tour! We walked through the avocado grove, carried a snack picnic with us, put “roly-poly’s” into the empty snack bags, ate tangerines, investigated baby avocados, and played with all the musical instruments/toys in the house. Best time. You can go on a tour again. Looks like you had a great time too!

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Amber May 25, 2012 at 2:41 pm

Awesome! I love avocados!!

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Urban Wife May 29, 2012 at 1:10 pm

I can’t get over how green those avocados are! Great shot of you, too. I love the intensely focused look. :)

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Quisha May 31, 2012 at 11:06 am

Half-sandwiches topped with avocado are the best! Hands down!
Looks like a great tour!

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jenjenk June 1, 2012 at 3:30 pm

mmmmmm!! hey, now that you’re an expert avocado picker, can you please figure out how to steal some from across the street from my house?? :)

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Gerry @ Foodness Gracious June 2, 2012 at 10:17 pm

Sounds like an awesome time and beautiful weather to boot! I love your concentrated look as you battle with the tree :)

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Fuji Nana June 7, 2012 at 6:47 am

Excellent video. Suddenly I am craving Avocado Anything. I had no idea 90% of the avocadoes in the US are from California!

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Whoa! You really did great a good job. You must have used a magic trick. LOL. But really, the room looked neat and awesome!

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