The Wonderful Co., one of America’s fastest-growing consumer packaged goods companies, is increasing its minimum wage to $15 an hour for full-time California employees effective Jan. 1. This means a 36 percent jump in pay for those making the current state-mandated minimum wage.

“Our dedicated and hard-working employees are our greatest asset, and the reason for our tremendous success as a company,” said Stewart Resnick, chairman and president of The Wonderful Co. “This move firmly positions The Wonderful Company as the employer of choice in California’s Central Valley, and we encourage others in the agriculture industry to follow our lead.”

This increase comes three years before California state law will require all large employers to meet a $15 an hour minimum wage, and represents an $80 million investment benefiting workers across Wonderful Citrus, Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds, Wonderful Orchards, Wonderful Nurseries, POM Wonderful, JUSTIN Wines and Landmark Wines.

“This substantial investment in our workers will have an immediate and meaningful impact on their lives,” said Lynda Resnick, vice chair and co-owner of The Wonderful Co. “In addition to providing our Central Valley employees and their families free health care and education, we are now able to help them achieve a significantly improved standard of living.”