Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: Blue Diamond Growers

  • Almond Alliance Announces Historic Joint Venture to “Move Nuts”

    After a year and a half of supply chain problems, a massive trade imbalance, and challenges at ports, the Almond Alliance California has announced a collaborative private/public venture to ship nuts to foreign customers. From September 2021 to February 2022, California almonds lost $2 billion in revenue.

    “There is a stockpile of nuts sitting in warehouses and at docks that have been grown, sold, and awaiting delivery to customers. We have found a solution to the challenges of a supply chain breakdown by working together. Because of this historic effort, we are finally bringing these nuts to market, which makes a massive difference for our farmers, economy, and communities,” stated Aubrey Bettencourt, President/CEO of the Almond Alliance of California.

    The joint partnership includes Blue Diamond Growers, Union Pacific Railroad, the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland, ocean carrier CMA CGM, and other logistic leaders such as Van G Logistics. Working together, the California Almond Alliance has created port opportunities and new direct communications pathways and has begun booking with carriers.

    “America’s great industries came together to find solutions and help protect American workers, businesses, and reputation,” said Bettencourt. “These important partnerships are a home-grown out-of-the-box first step to solving an enormous trade problem. This program will bring American Grown goods to market, preserve America’s reputation as a trade partner, and show that industry leaders can come together to meet challenges.”

    The Central Valley Ramp to the Port of Long Beach, with the help of Blue Diamond Growers, Union Pacific Railroad, CMA CGM, and Van G Logistics, is the first to come online. The Almond Alliance has pilots underway at the Central Valley Ramp to get the nuts moving and on board ships.

    In addition to the collaboration with Blue Diamond Growers, Union Pacific Railroad, and the ports and carriers, the Almond Alliance also took the opportunity to express sincere appreciation for the continued support of the California delegation, Sen. Feinstein, Sen. Padilla, Rep. Garamendi, Rep. Costa, Rep. Valadao, and Governor Newsom’s administration, Go-Biz Senior Advisor and Director Dee Dee Myers and the California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

    “We’ve taken an important first step, and we are committed to building on this success to work together to meet the challenges we face,” concluded Bettencourt.

    About the Almond Alliance

    The Almond Alliance of California (AAC) is a trusted non-profit organization dedicated to representing and advocating on behalf of the California almond community. California almonds generate more than $21 billion in economic revenue and directly contribute more than $11 billion to the state’s total economy. California’s top agricultural export, almonds create approximately 104,000 jobs statewide, over 97,000 in the Central Valley, which suffers from chronic unemployment. The AAC is dedicated to educating state legislators, policy makers and regulatory officials about the California almond community. As a membership-based organization, our members include almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers and allied businesses. AAC works to raise awareness, knowledge and provide a better understanding about the scope, size, value and sustainability of the California almond community. For more information on the Almond Alliance, visit almondalliance.org.

  • Blue Diamond Growers Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards on 10th Anniversary of Program

    Blue Diamond Growers Foundation is pleased to announce its 2021-2022 scholarship recipients. This year, scholarship funding is being awarded to 24 college students who are either dependents of Blue Diamond employees or are members of local communities pursuing agriculture-related fields of study at colleges and universities in California and throughout the country.

    “For agriculture to succeed for years to come, it will require the dedication and hard work of the next generation,” said Dan Cummings, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Blue Diamond Growers. “We are so pleased that the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation regularly supports dependents of our own Blue Diamond employees as well as assists students whose goals are to be a positive influence on the future of agriculture and who want to make a difference in their communities.”

    Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation was established in 2011 for the purpose of providing scholarships to students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance and are pursuing a four-year college. Since 2011, the Blue Diamond Foundation has awarded nearly
    150 scholarships to help students in our local communities achieve their dreams of a college education.

    This year’s Blue Diamond Growers Foundation scholarship recipients include:

    NAME/HOMETOWN COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY MAJOR
    Ashleigh Sorensen
    Sanger, Calif.    		 Fresno State University Agribusiness
    Ashlyn Wooldridge
    Arbuckle, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Plant and Environment Sciences
    Averie Konefat
    Patterson, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Science
    Cal Muxlow
    Kingsburg, Calif.    		 Fresno State University Agribusiness
    Gabriela Moreno
    Winton, Calif.    		 Merced Community College then Fresno State University Ag Education and Communications
    Gunnar Kale
    Merced, Calif.    		 Morningside University Ag and Food Sciences
    (Minor in Agronomy)
    NAME/HOMETOWN COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY MAJOR
    Jane Saenz
    Shafter, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Systems Management,
    Wine and Viticulture
    Jenna Keller
    Porterville, Calif.    		 Cal Poly or Cornell University Plant Science and International Ag
    Kalifornia Kindelt
    Woodland, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Communications
    Kathryn Williams
    Arbuckle, Calif.    		   Ag Communications
    Lauren McEwen
    Exeter, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Communications
    Lauren Schaap
    Visalia, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Communications
    Laynee Haywood
    Maxwell, Calif.    		 Texas Tech University Agribusiness
    (Concentration in
    International Agribusiness)
    Madalyn Nissen
    Willows, Calif.

     

    		 Oklahoma State University Ag Education and
    Ag Communications
    Matthew Freitas
    Glenn, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Systems Management
    Michaela Mederos
    Tulare, Calif.    		 Fresno State University Agribusiness Management
    M’Lyssa Frago
    Atwater, Calif.    		 Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo Ag Communications
    Natalie Machon
    El Dorado Hills, Calif.    		 University of Colorado, Boulder Psychology
    Rachel Mancebo
    Chowchilla, Calif.    		 Fresno State University Ag Education
    Sarah Williams
    Madera, Calif.    		 Virginia Tech University Agribusiness

     
    Sydney Vieira
    Ripon, Calif.    		 Oklahoma State University Agribusiness
    (Pre-Law Concentration)
    Tanner Cardoza
    Hanford, Calif.    		 McPherson College Business

     
    Taylor Trigueiro
    Caruthers, Calif.    		 Oklahoma State University Ag Education
    William Vannucci
    Woodland, Calif.    		 American River College Horticulture

     

    Additional information about the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation scholarship program is available at
    https://bluediamondgrowers.com/scholarship-program/.

  • Blue Diamond Growers Names New Chief Operating Officer, Transition in Global Ingredients Division Leadership

    Blue Diamond Growers has named Dean LaVallee as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) for California’s largest almond cooperative. In addition to serving as COO, LaVallee will continue to operate in his current role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will report directly to Blue Diamond Growers’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Jansen. As COO/CFO, LaVallee will oversee the Finance, Global Ingredients, and IT divisions within Blue Diamond Growers. He joined the cooperative in 2011.

    Dean LaVallee, Blue Diamond Growers, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

    “We are so pleased to expand Dean’s responsibilities to include that of Chief Operating Officer,” said 
    Jansen. “His strategic and proven leadership over the last decade within our organization has established a crucial foundation for Blue Diamond’s success in ensuring maximum returns to our grower-owners. In his new role, Dean will bring together the needed infrastructure, technology and resources for our continued growth and prosperity.”

    In other leadership news from the cooperative, long-time Blue Diamond Growers’ employee, Bill Morecraft, has announced his retirement at the end of this year after 35 years of service. Morecraft joined Blue Diamond Growers in 1986 working in Finance, Production Planning, and Sales Planning. He assumed leadership of the Global Ingredients Division in 2008 where he is credited with streamlining the product line, introducing a focus on value-added ingredients, and developing a close relationship with Blue Diamond’s Operations Team to increase profitability. Blue Diamond now processes and ships premium almond products to more than 90 countries.

    Bill Morecraft, Blue Diamond Growers, Senior Vice President Global Ingredients Division

    Effective September 1, Laura Gerhard was promoted to Vice President to assume leadership responsibilities for Blue Diamond’s Global Ingredients Division. Gerhard will lead day-to-day operations of the division, which supplies almond ingredients for processed and prepared food manufacturers, as well as for bulk purchase, around the world. She will also oversee the commercial success of the division’s global product portfolio, which includes a growing array of almond-based ingredients, such as almond protein powder, almond flour, and almond butter. Gerhard began her career with Blue Diamond Growers in 2017 as Director, Strategy and Planning with Global Ingredients. She added responsibility for Global Ingredient Division Marketing in 2020.

    Laura Gerhard, Blue Diamond Growers, Vice President Global Ingredients Division

    “It is leaders such as Bill who have helped to make Blue Diamond Growers the global leader in almonds that it is today,” said Jansen. “All of us at Blue Diamond sincerely thank Bill for his hard work, dedication, and numerous contributions over the years and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement. I also want to congratulate Laura on her promotion. I have great trust in her leadership. Laura has been instrumental to our success in the Global Ingredients Division, where she has helped drive business growth, develop a strong team, and organize our business and strategic planning. I’m confident Bill, Laura, and their team will work closely to ensure a seamless transition for our customers.”

  • Blue Diamond Growers Announces New Director of Sustainability

    Blue Diamond Growers is pleased to announce Dr. Daniel Sonke as its new Director of Sustainability. In this role, Dr. Sonke will lead global sustainability efforts across all segments of the Blue Diamond Growers business. He will be responsible for integrating company performance with the 111-year-old almond cooperative’s sustainability pillars of economic viability, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.

    With deep roots in the California almond industry, Dr. Sonke grew up on his family’s almond farm near Ripon. He holds a cutting-edge, advanced professional degree – Doctorate of Plant Medicine – from the University of Florida. Dr. Sonke most recently led corporate sustainable agriculture programs for Campbell Soup Company as Director of Sustainable Agriculture. Additionally, throughout his career, he has led numerous efforts to advance science-based sustainability efforts and certification programs for multiple agricultural commodities, including almonds, hazelnuts, pears, mushrooms, peaches, plums, nectarines, citrus, potatoes, wine grapes, and tomatoes. Dr. Sonke currently serves as a member of the Almond Board of California’s Sustainability Working Group.

    “We are thrilled to have someone of Dr. Sonke’s caliber join the Blue Diamond Growers team to lead the cooperative’s sustainability efforts,” said Brian Barczak, Senior Vice President, Global Supply for Blue Diamond Growers. “With his world-class expertise, deep scientific background, and hands-on experience with a variety of industries, he will be pivotal in further advancing our critical sustainability mission.”

    Blue Diamond Growers has a long-time commitment to sustainability and was recently recognized as Green Business Certified by the Modesto Chamber of Commerce’s California Green Business Network, Stanislaus County Program. The Green Business Certified recognition goes to companies that achieve a verified set of standards, including reducing water use, conserving energy, preventing pollution, increasing recycling, avoiding waste, encouraging alternative transportation, and partnering with other local vendors.

    “Our latest sustainability recognition as Green Business Certified is an important milestone along Blue Diamond Growers sustainability journey,” said Barczak. “It is a path of continual progress that will no doubt be enhanced with Dr. Sonke’s leadership and skill.”

    About Blue Diamond

    Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing over 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

  • Blue Diamond Growers Earns Recognition as Green Business Certified

    Following a comprehensive certification process, the Blue Diamond Growers facility in Salida, Calif., has earned distinction as being Green Business Certified. Blue Diamond is the first business in Stanislaus County to be recognized by the California Green Business Network, Stanislaus County, a program of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, for demonstrating sustainability as a top business priority.

    The Green Business Certified recognition was awarded at a ceremony today organized by the Modesto Chamber of Commerce at the Blue Diamond facility in Salida, California. The ceremony was attended by
    Brian Barczak, Senior Vice President, Global Supply for Blue Diamond, as well as Congressman Josh Harder, and several other state and local dignitaries.

    “Blue Diamond has a long 110-year history as an almond cooperative, and within that history has been a commitment to sustainability across all our facilities – Sacramento, Salida and Turlock,” said Barczak. “As we look toward the future, our investment in sustainability strengthens our relationship with our customers and consumers, provides benefits to our local communities, and lays the groundwork for the continuation of our legacy as a cooperative.  This recognition means a great deal to us as it shows that we are doing our part to build a healthier and more sustainable future for our local communities.”

    The Green Business Certified recognition goes to companies that achieve a verified set of standards, including reducing water use, conserving energy, preventing pollution, increasing recycling, avoiding waste, encouraging alternative transportation, and partnering with other local vendors.

    This latest Blue Diamond Growers’ honor comes on the heels of growth and positive milestones at the Salida facility. In 2020, a multi-year construction plan was completed including the addition of a 50-million-pound-capacity Brown Almond Bulk Warehouse. The new warehouse is the second facility of similar capacity recently built at the site. Additionally, also in 2020, the Salida facility achieved its fifth consecutive year – representing five million work hours – of no lost-time accidents. In terms of sustainability, according to Salida Site Leader Dennis Bettencourt, the site has successfully diverted more than 18 tons of waste from the landfill for more optimal uses, among other achievements in reducing water and
    energy usage.

    “We are proud that Blue Diamond’s priority on sustainability is being recognized and wish to thank the Modesto Chamber of Commerce – California Green Business Network, Stanislaus County for their efforts to advance the importance of sustainability in our community,” said Bettencourt. “We are honored by this recognition, as well as motivated to continue providing Blue Diamond almonds to the world in a way that honors, respects and preserves the planet and the natural resources that mean so much to all of us.”


    About Blue Diamond

    Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing over 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInand Twitter.

  • Blue Diamond Growers 110th Annual Meeting Recap, Gurcharan Dhillon Honored

    The 110th Blue Diamond Growers Annual Meeting countered the challenges of 2020 with a sense of accomplishment for the present and optimism for the future.

    “We are a growth business by choice, and I’m confident in declaring that the best is yet to come,” said Mark Jansen, President and CEO, Blue Diamond Growers.

    In his virtual presentation to Blue Diamond almond growers on Nov. 18, Jansen acknowledged the numerous obstacles the co-op overcame during the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.

    “With trade wars, port-related receiving disruptions, market price corrections, foodservice shut-downs, and a fire at the Sacramento Blue Diamond plant, it was a tough year to sell almonds,” said Jansen. “Yet, Blue Diamond prevailed in continuing to build a remarkably strong business in support of a 3-billion-pound almond crop – the largest ever in our 110-year history.”

    Mark Jansen

    Jansen reported that in 2020 alone, Blue Diamond was able to:

    • Provide growers a 16-cent competitive advantage per pound of almonds delivered.
    • Complete a multi-year construction plan including the addition of a 50-million-pound-capacity raw almond warehouse in Salida, Calif. The new warehouse is the second facility of similar capacity recently built at the site.
    • Incorporate engineering upgrades and expand a high-efficiency production line for Almond Breeze® almondmilk at the Blue Diamond facility in Turlock, Calif. The newly enhanced line more than doubles the plant’s Almond Breeze production volume. Almond Breeze leads as the co-op’s most profitable product with more than $800 million in annual retail sales.
    • Increase direct sales into India by 40 percent as trade pressures dramatically curtailed access into the Chinese market.
    • More than double e-commerce sales of Blue Diamond products, while achieving the goal of Amazon becoming the co-op’s fifth largest customer.
    • Be recognized, for the fourth consecutive year, as an IRI Growth Leader for fastest-growing consumer-packaged goods sales in terms of volume, revenue and market share.
    • Achieve its fifth consecutive year – representing five million work hours – of no lost-time accidents at the Salida facility.
    Dan Cummings

    Blue Diamond Board Chairman Recognizes Leadership Milestone and Co-op Honor  
    In addition to the business performance highlights shared by Jansen, Dan Cummings, Blue Diamond Board Chairman and Director, District 1, announced Jansen’s tenth anniversary as President and CEO of Blue Diamond Growers. Cummings made note of Jansen’s remarkable leadership and accomplishments on behalf of the co-op.  “We are confident in the future with Mark’s great leadership to guide us,” said Cummings. “Considering the successes so far, we can only imagine what the next10 years will bring. Blue Diamond is in great hands with him.”

    Additionally, Cummings announced Gurcharan Dhillon as the 2020 Chairman’s Grower Ambassador of the Year. Dhillon serves as a Grower Liaison Committee Member for District 9, and he is also active on Almond Board of California committees.  “We thank Gurcharan for his outstanding service and unwavering commitment to the co-op and the almond industry. He is truly an inspired leader,” said Cummings. “We also thank our many partners, including haulers, shellers, truck drivers, co-manufacturers, marketers and the 1,800 Blue Diamond employees who go above and beyond each day to help provide Blue Diamond almonds to the world.”

    About Blue Diamond

    Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing over 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients, and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

  • Blue Diamond Celebrates 110-Year Anniversary with Key Expansions

    Blue Diamond Growers, a nonprofit grower-owned cooperative and the world’s leading processor and marketer of almonds, marked its 110-year anniversary today with announcements about the completion of two key infrastructure expansions.

    The company also was recently recognized by Boston Consulting Group & IRI as one of the Top 10 Fastest Growing Mid-Size CPGs for the fourth consecutive year.

    As part of Blue Diamond’s long-range strategic vision, two major expansions at the co-op’s facilities in the heart of California’s Central Valley almond growing region, have been completed or are nearing completion this month. Groundbreaking ceremonies for both projects were held last year. The first expansion is a 52,000 square foot addition to the existing 200,000 square foot Turlock manufacturing plant that first opened in 2013 and sits on 88 acres. In 2014, Food Engineering Magazine recognized the Turlock facility as Plant of the Year for innovation, manufacturing excellence and sustainable operations. Construction completed on the new building last week expands Blue Diamond’s value-added almond processing capabilities with an automated factory that features state-of-the art handling, processing and packaging equipment. This expansion also provides space for a future manufacturing line to support current business or new innovations.


    Newly expanded Turlock facility

    The second expansion is the new Bulk 8 Warehouse at the Salida facility that originally opened as an almond receiving station in 1969. Today the 675,000 square foot facility sits on 44 acres and includes a retail Nut & Gift Shop. The new 58,000 square foot bulk storage facility is on schedule to be completed by the end of May providing an additional 50 million pounds of in-house bulk almond storage capacity in time to receive the 2020 almond harvest. The 65-foot-tall building includes advanced design with an automated gravity fed spiral conveyance system that improves grower delivery efficiency and reduces damage to the almonds.


    New Bulk 8 warehouse in Salida

    “It is particularly meaningful for Blue Diamond to be able to commemorate our Founders Day today by not only recognizing our humble beginnings 110 years ago, but also celebrating two key growth milestones that help secure our future,” said Mark Jansen, President and CEO for Blue Diamond Growers. “I couldn’t be more proud that, despite the unprecedented challenges businesses around the world have faced over the past two months, our incredible team has been able to sustain operations as an essential food supplier, while completing these critical expansion projects ahead of schedule to meet customer needs.“

    “When we opened each of Blue Diamond’s three main facilities, we made a commitment to invest in our infrastructure, in our workforce, and in the individual communities where our employees and almond growers live and work. Throughout the year, we support local nonprofits through our community grants, sponsorships, employee volunteerism and product donations. During yesterday’s global Giving Tuesday Now effort I’m thrilled to report that Blue Diamond, along with partners Union Pacific and Sun-Maid Growers of California, committed to a donation match of $50,000 to help support three food banks in northern and central California that are struggling to meet significant demand from local families in need.” 

    Blue Diamond Growers was founded by a handful of California almond growers on May 6, 1910.  Originally known as the California Almond Growers Exchange, the grower-owned cooperative quickly grew into the world leader in growing, processing and marketing almonds and almond ingredients. In 1914, the Exchange opened a new receiving and packaging plant in Sacramento, California, that eventually became the largest almond processing plant in the world. Today, the Sacramento plant sits on 90 acres, covering 33 city blocks and serves at the cooperative’s headquarters. In 1915, the co-op adopted the symbol of a blue diamond – the finest grade of diamond in the world – to signify its commitment to quality and in 1980, the cooperative’s name was officially changed to Blue Diamond Growers.

    California produces 80% of the world’s almond supply and almonds are the state’s largest food export item. Blue Diamond Growers’ 3,000 members account for roughly half of the state’s almond producers.

     

  • California Almond Harvest Update with Blue Diamond Growers

    California almond harvest is almost complete for the 2019 crop. Growers have enjoyed a nice harvest season with minimal pest damage, but what can we expect this year as far as crop size and quality?  Watch this brief interview with Blue Diamond Growers’ Mel Machado, and don’t miss the annual State of the Almond Industry address at the Tree & Vine Expo in Turlock on Nov. 12th and the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno on Nov. 19th.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support by visiting them at their booth at the following November Events: Tree & Vine Expo, the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo & Blue Diamond Growers Annual Membership Meeting.

  • Blue Diamond Growers Break Ground & Prepare for Record Almond Production

    As almond acreage and production continues to soar in California, almond processors and handlers are strengthening and increase their capacity to be able to take in the record crops to come.  Blue Diamond Growers recently announced the construction of their largest almond storage facility yet.  Watch this brief interview with Blue Diamond CEO Mark Jansen as he shares more details at the site of their construction and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery and attend one of their upcoming Bennett Hickman Almond Field Days in Pixley or Modesto.

  • Blue Diamond Invests in Expansion of Turlock Manufacturing Plant

    Blue Diamond Growers, a nonprofit grower-owned cooperative and the world’s leading processor and marketer of almonds, begins expansion of its award-winning processing facility in Turlock, CA. Today a groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the 200,000 square foot manufacturing plant recognized as the 2014 Plant of the Year by Food Engineering Magazine. The new addition is part of Blue Diamond’s continued plans to expand value-added product lines and deliver the innovations of new almond products worldwide.

    The 52,000 square foot building will be the latest construction of the three-phased project that will eventually yield a total of about 500,000 square feet of building space over the next nine years. This phase of the project is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2020 and will accommodate growth of the cooperative’s business. The expansion consists of new automated processing and packaging equipment that promote Blue Diamond’s commitment to manufacturing excellence.

    “We are pleased to build our partnership with the Turlock community by investing to expand our facilities and workforce,” said Mark Jansen, Blue Diamond President and CEO. “We are creating the healthiest almond products and delivering the benefits of almonds to the world. This project allows Blue Diamond to meet the growing demand for our innovative almond products.”

    Blue Diamond Chairman of the Board Dan Cummings of Chico added, “We are thankful to our growers who own this cooperative for entrusting their almonds to us so we can continue to make valuable investments. This project gives them a secure future in the almond business.”

    Blue Diamond first announced its plans to build a manufacturing plant in the City of Turlock in April 2012 creating more than a hundred jobs.

    “On behalf of the Turlock community, we are tremendously excited about the expansion of Blue Diamond Growers state of the art processing facilities here in Turlock,” said Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak. “We know Blue Diamond has other company locations where they could have placed this expansion, but we are proud they chose Turlock. We look forward to the additional jobs this expansion will bring.”