PORTERVILLE, CA - Nothing signals springtime like berries and stonefruit. The popularity of these categories demands care, a quality on which Homegrown Organic Farms can deliver. Recently adding blueberries to its Regenerative Organic Certified® programs, the company continues to expand its portfolio, which already includes a well-established ROC® stonefruit program. I turned to Stephen Paul, Deciduous Category Director, to learn more.

“Our Regenerative Organic Certified programs go beyond traditional organic standards by focusing on soil health, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem resilience. They also include rigorous requirements around social responsibility, creating a more holistic approach to farming,” Stephen explained to me. “For retailers and consumers, this means fruit that not only delivers on quality but is also grown with a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible practices, which is becoming an increasingly important point of differentiation at retail.”

The company heads into the sixth season of offering a full Regenerative Organic Certified stonefruit program, which includes apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and pluots.

“This program represents 20 family farmers, many of whom have spent generations farming with a deep commitment to caring for both the land and their people. That sense of passion and purpose is evident in their approach, with certifications like ROC helping to validate and recognize those long-standing practices,” Stephen added.

Across both categories, growers within the Homegrown Organic Farms network maintain the third-party certifications that reflect their commitment to responsible farming practices, including Equitable Food Initiative, Bee Better Certified®, and Regenerative Organic Certified. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the company’s GROWN By Series, which spotlights the farmers who implement these programs.

“The GROWN By Series brings our growers’ stories to life, helping create a meaningful connection between the people behind the fruit and the consumer. By highlighting the individuals and practices behind our products, we build trust and transparency that resonates at retail while also providing an opportunity to educate shoppers on how their food is grown,” Stephen said. “This storytelling and educational approach supports stronger engagement both digitally and in-store, giving shoppers a clearer understanding of the value behind the product and ultimately helping drive interest and sales at the shelf.”

Stephen noted that every season, the company’s berry and stonefruit programs increase in volume.

“We are still early in the blueberry season, but we are seeing smooth regional transitions that support consistent availability and strong quality,” she said. “For stonefruit, a stretch of warm spring days has naturally accelerated the season, putting us about 10 days ahead of last year. We are focused on proactive farming practices to deliver optimal size, color, and sugar levels during peak promotions. Overall, quality is looking strong and is expected to meet or exceed last year’s crop.”

AndNowUKnow will keep you in the loop for spring and summer programs, so stay tuned!