The season has started for California-grown kiwi, and we couldn’t be more excited! This season, we’re offering green, gold and red kiwi from our local grower, Wild River. Kiwis have a distinctive flavor profile: sweet, tart, and refreshing! The ‘citrus-y’ flavor also varies depending on the variety; higher acidity equals more vitamin C!  All varieties have tiny black edible seeds.  

Native to Eastern China, there are at least 60 varieties and counting, as new hybrids are developed such as the ‘Giant kiwi’ and other unique red and purple fleshed varieties. The most popular types are green kiwi and gold kiwi, while the smaller grape-sized kiwi berry, a smooth-skinned botanical cousin, is becoming more familiar throughout the food system. Prized as a quick, easy snack for kids-just pop ’em in, like a seedless grape! No muss, no fuss! 

Here’s the lowdown on this season’s colorful trifecta: 

Green Kiwi: Bright green flesh, with soft fuzz on the shaggy brown outside. Inside, its sweet, tangy flavor is packed with vitamins and antioxidants.  

Gold Kiwi: Very sweet yellow fruit with a mild, slightly tropical flavor.  Smooth skin (no fuzz)! It can be eaten when firm or soft and has high sugar, regardless of ripeness.  

Fun Fact: Wild River was the first and only organic certified gold kiwi grower in the country! 

Red Kiwi: Boasts a vibrant red starburst interior and complex flavor profile that features notes of raspberry and blackberry. Naturally high in antioxidants, this fruit is sweetest when soft. 

Kiwifruit is great in fancy fruit salad, juices, smoothies, garnish, and even cocktails and mocktails. It is also used in marinades, thanks to a special enzyme that helps tenderize meat.   

New & Exciting!

Apple 

• Granny Smith: Robin’s Nest Farm has come on with their delicious apples, grown locally in Watsonville, CA. These are a staff favorite because they are mature and fully ripe, unlike many Grannies picked too early.  
• Opal: Beautiful sunny yellow color with a distinctive crunchy texture, and a sweet, tangy flavor balance. Opals do not brown after cutting, which makes them perfect for salads, cheese boards and kids’ lunchboxes!   
• Pinova : Crisp, aromatic variety with a balanced sweet-tart flavor and hints of pear and honey, perfect for fresh eating or baking. 
• SugarBee: Sweeter apple with more nuanced notes of honey, caramel, and molasses. 

Fun Fact: A honeybee unknowingly cross-pollinated a Honeycrisp and an unknown variety which resulted in the beloved SugarBee® apple.

Chestnut: ‘Tis the season for delicious, rich, sweet chestnuts from Heath Ranch (VV Exclusive). Packed in 8-pound mesh bags. Time to go nuts! 

Cranberry: 12-ounce retail bags are here now! 8-ounce retails bags will be available in November. Although Thanksgiving is still weeks away, shoppers are looking for cranberries for fall recipes!  The overall crop is reported to be very short this season.  

Eggnog: Delicious, creamy eggnog from Alexandre Family Farms and Straus Family Creamery is here now. Only available during the fall and winter season!   

Kiwi: California kiwi season is here! We have a steady supply of delicious Green, Gold and Red Kiwi from Wild River.  

Persimmon: Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons are both available now! Fuyus are mild, crunchy and sweet, while Hachiya are more intensely sweet with slightly spicy flavor. Enjoy Fuyus anytime, but Hachiya must be fully soft and ripe, like pudding, to use in cooking, or eat out of hand. 

Red Russian Kale: This attractive variety has flat leaves streaked with pretty purple-red veins.  It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that is less bitter than other kale varieties. Tender and less fibrous– it’s equally delicious raw in salads or lightly sautéed for a vibrant, colorful dish. 

Specialty Hard Squash: Organic Matters Ranch has started up with their unique offering of specialty hard squash. Mixed bins (700 pounds) are available for pre-order. Single variety cartons will be available for Blue Hubbard, Carnival, Jester, Spaghetti, Sugar Pie, Turban and Orange, Green, and Grey Kabocha. Check out VV’s Winter Squash Variety Guide to learn more.

Yellow Onion ‘Earthbag’ from Peri & Sons: The name says it all. Earthbags are made from paper/bamboo mesh and are 100% biodegradable and compostable! Each unit has 16 sharp looking  3-Pound bags. 

Promotable 

Asian Pear: Discover the irresistible crunch and sweet flavor of Asian pears from Earthseed Farm in Sebastopol, CA—harvested at peak perfection. Varieties available include: Chojuro, Niitaka, Shinko, Shinseki and Ya-Li. Local supply is expected to last several more weeks! 

Brussels Sprouts: Readily available with great quality. Roasted, steamed, or chopped finely for a winter slaw, there’s no wrong way to enjoy this cruciferous powerhouse. 

Jack O’ Lantern: LAST CALL! Bulk pumpkin bins are still available and can ship in time for Halloween! Available in Regular (averages 50 pumpkins per bin) or Large (averages 30 pumpkins per bin) size. 

Jewel Sweet Potato: Naturally sweet with a smooth texture that’s perfect for roasting, mashing, or baking into your favorite fall dishes.

Maple Sugar Candy: For all fall and winter festivities, stock up on delicious maple syrup and maple candy from Maple Valley Co-op. Modeled after Organic Valley Dairy Co-op, this Wisconsin-based farmer owned co-operative is 100% domestic and organic. Maple candy is a terrific healthy alternative for Halloween treats! 

Red Starkrimson Pear: Known for their striking crimson skin and sweet, aromatic flavor. Their juicy, smooth texture makes them perfect for fresh eating, elegant fruit displays, or adding a pop of color to salads and cheese boards. 

Specialty Fruit: Spice up your fall displays with some exotic, specialty items! 

• Jujube: Small, sweet apple-like fruit with a chewy texture. 
• Passionfruit: Supply is steady. Locally grown and delicious!   
• Quince: Fragrant, golden fruit with a tart, aromatic flavor that transforms into a sweet, soft delicacy when cooked. 

Valencia Orange: Sweet, juicy, and perfect for fresh-squeezed juice or eating fresh. 

Limited 

Blueberry: Gap expected to last a few more weeks. 

Broccoli: Limited production; prices remain high for the remainder of the Salinas Valley season. 

Cherry Tomato: Supply is limited. 

Corn: Very limited; season is ending soon. 

Early Girl Tomato: Winding down for the season. 

Eggplant: Locally-grown is limited 

Fig: Gapping and likely ending soon. 

Kiwi berry: Winding down fast. 

Nopales 

Raspberry 

Roma Tomato 

Done for the Season 

Cranberry Bean 

Dahlia & Sunflower Single Variety Cases 

Fresh Jujube

Produce Resources 

Pear Variety Guide 

Apple Variety Guide 

Winter Squash Variety Guide 

Farm Buzz 

Rock Front Ranch 

Located in the remote hills of Santa Barbara County, Rock Front Ranch is a woman-owned, sustainable farm known for its certified-organic jujube orchard and honey-producing bee hives. For over two decades the ranch has cultivated a thriving ecosystem of native plants, fruits and pollinators, and has become a valued part of the rural landscape. 

In the summer of 2025, just past, the ranch was struck hard by the Gifford Fire, which tore through the hills above the property. The blaze destroyed nearly all of their bee-hives, scorched a third of the jujube trees and devastated native forage plants — losses that the owners estimate will take 3-5 years to recover from. Despite the devastation, the growers remain committed to rebuilding: they are hand-packing remaining fruit, restoring habitat, and rallying community assistance to replant trees and revive their apiary. 

If you would like to support Rock Front Ranch, check out their fresh jujubes on our list or visit their GoFundMe page. 

Flip Flop Farms 

Flip Flop Farms is a 22-acre certified organic farm nestled on the coastal bluffs of Pescadero, California. Founded in 2021 by a group of young farmers, dedicated to revitalizing fallow land, providing fresh, nutrient-dense produce while fostering a deep connection between people and their food sources. The coastal climate in Pescadero is great for leafy greens and other mild-weather crops. 

The farm employs regenerative agricultural practices such as composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, and the establishment of beneficial insect hedgerows to maintain soil health and promote biodiversity. Additionally, Flip Flop Farms operates sustainably, utilizing solar and biodiesel power to minimize its environmental impact.  

In October 2025, Flip Flop Farms experienced significant damage due to a powerful storm, which the National Weather Service is investigating as a possible tornado. The event resulted in a 200-pound water tank being thrown across a highway, uprooted plants, and destroyed hoop houses. See the storm damage in this 2-minute video. 

Despite these challenges, the farm remains committed to rebuilding and continues to serve its community through various initiatives. 

If you would like to support Flip Flip Farms, check out some of their produce on our list including lettuces, leafy greens and more!