Oxnard, CA-based grower-shipper Bobalu Berry Farms simply wanted to reach out and help during these difficult times. But its donation of 4,000 one-pound clamshell packs of fresh California strawberries to the Oxnard School District has spurred the interest of other producers and the shipper is hoping that the idea spreads across the country.
Cindy Jewell of Jewell Marketing, Aptos, CA, has been working with the company for the past couple of months as it continues to transition back into an integrated grower-packer-shipper-processor-marketer-sales agent of California strawberries. Jewell explained that Bobalu is a compilation of the names of Bob and Lupe Jones, who began growing strawberries in the Oxnard area in 1958, more than 60 years ago. The Bobalu brand was launched in 1962 as the Jones first expanded into marketing and shipping strawberries. They added processing to their repertoire in 1974. For many years, they grew for many of the industry’s top shippers. And along the line, the next two generations of the family tree also joined the operation.
Jewell said that in mid-March, the current leadership for the company asked her to help them donate some fruit to the school children impacted by the school closings due to the novel coronavirus, Covid-19. “We contacted the Oxnard School District and they were excited by the idea,” Jewell told The Produce News on Monday, March 30, as she left the staging site for the first giveaway. “Today, the four elementary schools each gave out 1,000 bags to families for a total of 4,000 bags. Tomorrow we are dropping off a similar amount to the high school since they are still doing school lunch there as well.”
She explained that the district had amassed some food from other sources and was able to put together 4,000 bags of groceries for the children of the school district and their families. Each bag contained one pound of berries along with milk, carrots and a variety of other food items. Hundreds of families were in line to get the donated products. Family size determined how many bags each family received.
“As a result of this, other local produce companies have asked to help,” said Jewell, noting that the school district passed inquiries on to her. “I’m planning to be here next Monday when we do it again. We know San Miguel (Produce Inc.), Duda (Farm Fresh Foods), and other produce companies are also going to participate.”
Jewell added that Bobalu Berry Farms officials wants to publicize their effort in hope that it spreads across the country and local farmers in every area can reach out to those in need and donate fresh, healthy food. “We (the ag industry) are always trying to connect with the community and this is a great opportunity to do so,” Jewell said.
She said local officials, including the area’s assemblywoman, Jacqui Irwin, were in attendance and because of the gathering they began collaborating on ways to help the community’s school children. “We were told by school district officials that 85 percent of the sixth graders have computers and are able to take advantage of the online classes. But what about the other 15 percent…what’s happening to them?”
Jewell said this is a small step that Bobalu Berry Farms initiated but it is an important step in keeping families and kids engaged and trying to get them through these challenging times.
