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OPN Connect Newsletter 185 · September 24, 2020

Rainbow Valley Orchards Grows and Promotes Organic-Grown Citrus, Table Grapes, and Other Subtropical Fruit


Rainbow Valley Orchards is comprised of both first- and second-generation farmers who believe a healthier option of farming and eating should be available to the masses.

“The company was formed in 1981 with a belief that it was our responsibility to be respectful stewards of our created earth that we work and manage a company of dedicated people who lend support to the overall development of organic, sustainable agriculture and viable, responsible methods of recycling and usage of our resources,” said Ryan San Jose, national sales manager for the Fallbrook, CA-based company.

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Ryan San Jose, national sales manager, Rainbow Valley Orchards

Over the last 39 years, Rainbow Valley Orchards has been directly involved with the promotion and development of organically grown citrus, avocados and sub-tropical fruits grown in Southern California.

Rainbow Valley Orchards isn’t just a packer of organic citrus, they are growers too.

“We know how hard it is to farm in California and turn a buck,” San Jose said. “That’s why we treat all products that we pack as our own. We are determined to utilize all packable fruit and send it to market at top dollar. We are a no-nonsense company with a history of fair and transparent business practices.”

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Rainbow Valley Orchard Navel grove

It was about 40 years ago that Rainbow Valley Orchards was the first organic citrus company to move out of the culture of recycled banana boxes and into the more streamlined half bushel unit. Today, it offers organic citrus from each growing district to provide all three organic citrus commodities year-round.

“Volume and land are the biggest challenges we face,” San Jose said. “Our brand is a household name and offered in major retails across the nation, as healthy eating continues to be the norm, consumption of organic products continues to rise across the nation. Rainbow Valley Orchards has to continue to add new acreage and substantial growers every year to fill the demand. We are committed to our existing relationships and are eager to build more.”

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"We are determined to utilize all packable fruit and send it to market at top dollar. We are a no-nonsense company with a history of fair and transparent business practices.” -Ryan San Jose

Thankfully, the company has seen strong growth and continue to increase year after year. Recently, Rainbow Valley Orchards opened its second facility in the Central Valley to handle local grown acreage and products.

The Central Valley facility will handle a bounty of oranges, mandarins and its increasing lemon and grapefruit program.

“We wanted to shave down our carbon fruit footprint, help fight against the spread of the Asian Citrus Psyllid from region to region, and most of all be able to provide our trusted growers a local facility to grow into,” San Jose said. “Our customer base needed a more accessible loading option for major volumes weekly.”

Meanwhile, its Southern California facility will continue to pack the industry’s strongest growing region of lemons, grapefruit, Valencia oranges, and will continue to offer dragon fruit and local mandarins.

“Rainbow Valley Orchards supports the family farmer,” San Jose said. “We have a brand that we successfully ship across the nation and affords family farms the opportunity for fair market returns under us. Our philosophy is to grow the family farm by offering consistency, quality and transparency.”

Its mission is two-fold and involves both growers and buyers of organic products. It starts with the promotion and development of organic fruits at the grower level and that often means sponsoring and leading local educational seminars and workshops so that growers stay informed of the latest, most effective organic farming methods, as well as the ever changing organic agricultural industry.

“We have a brand that we successfully ship across the nation and affords family farms the opportunity for fair market returns under us. Our philosophy is to grow the family farm by offering consistency, quality and transparency.” -Ryan San Jose

The company also actively participates in both areas of grower and buyer development and maintenance while marketing Rainbow Valley Orchards as the best quality and most reliable source for certified organic citrus, avocados and sub-tropical fruits on the domestic U.S. and international markets.

“Rainbow Valley Orchards is built on trust and good will,” San Jose said. “Hard Work and passion are put in every day to provide quality products. Words are not just said, they are what we do.”

Looking ahead, the company will continue doing what has made it a success and an organic leader.

“We plan to keep the gas throttle pressed down and continue to grow the business with new relationships and opportunities,” San Jose said.

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