Fresh News
Blossom Hill
- Details
- Category: May 2018
- Published: 17 May 2018
- Hits: 986

The Blossom Hill orchards are located in Patterson, California. Some suggest this location to be the world’s best apricot-growing region.
Lucich — Santos Farms have been family-owned for more than 90 years. For over 35 years, they’ve developed expertise in growing, packing and shipping California apricots and apriums under the Blossom Hill Orchard name.
Four generations oversee the daily operations. Their overarching goal is to provide customers with the best eating, sweetest, juicy apricots.
Jim Lucich, sales representative for Blossom Hill, said the 2018 crop in Patterson is lighter than usual. Weather played a part with the crop set. Chill hours were lower than needed, and some cold and rain that came after the bloom had an effect on the crop.
The company grows its apricots in a sustainable-minded environment. Lucich and Santos Farms and Blossom Hill Packing’s objective is to produce premium delicious fruit with food safety in mind.
Lucich — Santos Farms have been family-owned for more than 90 years. For over 35 years, they’ve developed expertise in growing, packing and shipping California apricots and apriums under the Blossom Hill Orchard name.
Four generations oversee the daily operations. Their overarching goal is to provide customers with the best eating, sweetest, juicy apricots.
Jim Lucich, sales representative for Blossom Hill, said the 2018 crop in Patterson is lighter than usual. Weather played a part with the crop set. Chill hours were lower than needed, and some cold and rain that came after the bloom had an effect on the crop.
The company grows its apricots in a sustainable-minded environment. Lucich and Santos Farms and Blossom Hill Packing’s objective is to produce premium delicious fruit with food safety in mind.
This requires hard work in nurturing their fruit, but also the implementation of a first-class Global Food Safety Initiative. GFSI is a benchmarked food-safety program and is an integral part of their entire operation.
The company’s food-safety program was established with collaboration between Lucich and Santos Farm management — John and Dave Santos — and MVP Food Safety Consultation.
The food-safety program includes the use of GAPs in all phases of production — during planting, crop protection, growing and harvesting.
When implementing its FFSI benchmarked GAP program, it focuses on food security, adjacent land use and water quality, along with use practices, equipment sanitation, soil fertility management, wildlife, pest plus vermin control, crop protection, worker hygiene, sanitary facilities, harvesting practices and traceability.
Their GFSI benchmarked GAP program also includes non-production items such as employee training.
The purpose of the dynamic program is to institute a proactive food-safety system for its growing operation. Any potential product hazards are anticipated and controlled from land acquisition through fruit packing and distribution.
The company also holds an Organic Crop Certificate and an Organic Handling Certificate. The numerous pack options for apricots (clamshells, bags, punnets and tray packs) offer some kind of apricot for all end users.
Look for a good local apricot eating season.



