Hollister
Apricot King Orchards
Farmer at Santa Cruz Farmers Markets
- family run
About Apricot King Orchards
When Patti first set her eyes on Gary Gonzales he was wearing a two-piece leisure suit. More than 30 years later, kids grown and many seasons behind them, they are still running Apricot King Orchards. Gary, who's father started the business, manages the orchards. Patti does the bookwork, the kids do the packaging and labeling while Dad oversees farm operations. Everyone chips in to staff the farmers' markets. In 1946 Frank Gonzales returned from World War II and bought 10 acres of apricot trees in the Hollister area. He and his wife Mary Gonzales began farming in Hollister when they were married over 55 years ago. They raised three children on the 120 acre ranch. Frank and Mary's son, Gary Gonzales, returned from the Peace Corp in 1972 and began to work the apricot orchard with his father. He has now been managing it for decades. Until 1992 the family sent 60 tons of dried, unpacked fruit to two large wholesalers, Del Monte and Mayfair. When Turkish imports began to flood the market, they had to revision their business strategy. Apricot King began to sell at the farmers' markets, little ones in tow. Specializing in the rare Blenheim apricot, the Gonzales's also sell walnuts, prunes, pears and cherries. All of their fruit are sun dried in large trays outdoors. Patti says that 25 years ago there were over 50 families growing apricots in the Hollister area. Now there are only a few. It's a challenging business to maintain but with hard work and creativity Apricot King Orchard is doing well and Gary and Patti hope to pass the orchard on to their three children, all who currently work for the business. Visit them and taste their delicious fresh and dried apricots at the Downtown Market.
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Delivery & pickup
Specialties
- farmers market
- fruit
- nuts
- orchard
- pantry
- pcfma
- produce
Categories
- Direct sales
- Farmers market
- Online ordering
- Online store
- Shipping
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Frequently asked
Where is Apricot King Orchards?
Apricot King Orchards is located in Hollister. Address: Hollister, CA, 95023. See the map on this page for directions.
Does Apricot King Orchards deliver?
Apricot King Orchards is pickup-only. Drive to the farm during their hours to pick up.
What does Apricot King Orchards sell?
Practices: family run. Specialties: farmers market, fruit, nuts, orchard, pantry, pcfma, produce. Products: Almonds (website derived), Apricots (website derived), Cherries, Dried Fruit (website derived), Fruit (sccfm vendor; website derived), Jams (website derived).
How do I contact Apricot King Orchards?
Phone: (831) 637-1938. Email: info@apricotking.com. Website: http://www.apricotking.com/. You can also open the farm in the live directory and use the Get directions button.