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California Agriculture Industry Markets, Sells Products on the Web

Posted on: Tuesday, 6 December 2005, 00:00 CST

By John Holland, The Modesto Bee, Calif.

Dec. 3--If you crave chestnuts roasting on an open fire, you're unlikely to get them from growers in these parts.

But you can find walnuts waiting in an online store, along with many other farm products of the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

Internet sales at Christmas continue to be a handy way for valley agriculture to market and sell some of its fruits, nuts, vegetables, cheeses and honey products. The companies keep tweaking their offerings with new flavors and packaging, along with catchy Web site illustrations.

For buyers, the shopping is convenient and the gifts stand a good chance of pleasing the recipients.

"I think food is the universal gift," said Karen Cox, co-owner of Just Tomatoes Etc. near Westley, which sells various dried foods. "It feels good to give it, and it feels good to get it."

The online sellers range from the giants -- Hilmar Cheese, Blue Diamond almonds, Diamond of California walnuts -- to family farms with small packing plants.

Ann Beekman, co-owner of the Beekman & Beekman honey business near Hughson, said online sales are not a huge moneymaker but are still important.

"People are becoming more and more astute about varietal honey," she said.

"Those are the people who search us out online."

She said people in distant places often receive honey gifts, then use the Web site to order more.

New holiday gift items from Just Tomatoes include a breakfast tray with dried berries, pancake and scone mixes, blueberry syrup and preserves.

"We have been in business for 20 years, and we have had the Web site for about 10, and we just have more of a presence in the marketplace," Cox said.

Oakdale Cheese & Specialties assembles gift packs with its signature gouda, plus sausage, nuts and a few other items.

Its Web site, as do others, has an easy-to-follow process for clicking on gift selections and paying by credit card. But co-owner Lenneke Bulk said that's not the only appeal for cheese buyers.

"They know that we make it by hand, so it has a nostalgic image now," she said.

Many Web sites note the health benefits of what they hawk. Nunes Farms of Newman, for example, explains that almonds have many nutrients and are considered a good fat.

That, plus the way the nuts taste, makes them "just an easy, for-sure gift," said Cindy Olinghouse, who works in customer service for Nunes.

Roberts Ferry Nut Co. has a wide selection this Christmas, including a gift pack with apricots, almonds, pistachios, pecans, chocolate and yogurt raisins.

Co-owner Dan Mallory agreed that food is an ideal gift.

"How many ties can you give a guy?" he said. "How many shirts can you give Dad? You can always give them nuts and fruits, and they will always be appreciated."

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To see more of The Modesto Bee, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.modbee.com

Copyright (c) 2005, The Modesto Bee, Calif.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Modesto Bee

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