Family Tree Farms is a major stone fruit grower and shipper based in Reedley, California, specializing in peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots. The company is one of the largest tree fruit operations in the San Joaquin Valley, with orchards spanning thousands of acres across California’s Central Valley.
Background and History
Family Tree Farms was established in the early 1980s by the Naylor family, who had been farming in the Reedley area for generations. What began as a modest family orchard has grown into a vertically integrated operation that manages every step from planting to packing. Reedley, located in Fresno County, sits in the heart of California’s stone fruit belt, where the Mediterranean climate—hot, dry summers and cool winters—provides ideal growing conditions for peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots.
The company’s growth mirrors the broader consolidation of California agriculture. Over the decades, Family Tree Farms acquired additional orchards and invested in modern packing facilities, cold storage, and shipping logistics. Today, it ships fruit domestically and internationally, with a focus on retail and foodservice markets.
What Family Tree Farms Grows
Family Tree Farms primarily produces stone fruits—fruits with a large central pit. Their main crops include:
- Peaches – both yellow and white flesh varieties, sold fresh and used in processing.
- Plums – a wide range of varieties from sweet to tart, including Japanese plums.
- Nectarines – fuzzless peaches, available in yellow and white flesh.
- Apricots – smaller, aromatic fruits, often sold fresh or dried.
They also grow some specialty items like pluots (a plum-apricot hybrid) and other interspecific hybrids. The company emphasizes varietal development, working with breeders to introduce new flavors and extend the harvest season.
How the Operation Works
Family Tree Farms operates on a vertically integrated model, meaning they control the entire supply chain. Here’s how it typically works:
- Orchard management – They own or lease orchards in Reedley and other Central Valley locations, managing irrigation, pruning, and pest control.
- Harvesting – Fruit is hand-picked at peak ripeness, usually from May through September, depending on the variety.
- Packing – The fruit is transported to their packing facility in Reedley, where it is sorted, graded, and packed into boxes or bags.
- Cold storage – Packed fruit is rapidly cooled to preserve freshness and extend shelf life.
- Shipping – They ship via truck and rail to distributors, grocery chains, and export markets.
This integration allows for tight quality control and traceability, which is increasingly important to retailers and consumers.
Seasonality and Availability
Stone fruit season in Reedley typically runs from late spring to early fall. Peaches and nectarines start in May, with different varieties maturing at staggered intervals, allowing a continuous supply into September. Plums follow a similar pattern. Apricots have a shorter season, usually May to July.
Because of their scale, Family Tree Farms can offer fruit over a longer window than a small orchard. They also use controlled atmosphere storage to extend availability, though stone fruits are highly perishable, so most are sold within a few weeks of harvest.
How to Choose and Buy Their Fruit
If you’re looking for Family Tree Farms fruit, you’ll typically find it in large grocery chains, warehouse clubs, and some specialty markets. Look for the Family Tree Farms label on the packaging or a sticker on the fruit. When selecting stone fruit at the store:
- Choose fruit that is slightly soft at the stem end but firm overall.
- Smell the fruit – a sweet aroma indicates ripeness.
- Avoid fruit with bruises, cuts, or wrinkled skin.
- If fruit is not ripe, leave it at room temperature for a day or two.
You can also buy directly from the farm’s packing shed in Reedley during the season, though it’s primarily a wholesale operation. Some local farmers markets in the area also carry their fruit.
Common Questions and Misconceptions
One common misconception is that all stone fruit from Reedley is the same. In reality, Family Tree Farms grows dozens of varieties, each with distinct flavor profiles. Another question people ask is whether the fruit is organic. While Family Tree Farms does grow some organic varieties, the majority of their production is conventional. They follow integrated pest management practices to reduce chemical use.
Another frequent question is about the difference between a peach and a nectarine. The only genetic difference is a recessive gene that makes nectarines fuzzless. They are otherwise the same species, Prunus persica.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Family Tree Farms located?
Family Tree Farms is headquartered in Reedley, California, in Fresno County. Their main packing facility is on Manning Avenue, and they have orchards throughout the Central Valley.
Can I visit the farm or buy directly?
The packing facility is not open for public tours, and direct sales are limited. However, you can buy their fruit at many grocery stores. During harvest season, some local farm stands in Reedley may carry their fruit, but it’s not a guaranteed retail outlet.
Is Family Tree Farms the same as Family Tree Produce?
No, they are different companies. Family Tree Farms is a grower-shipper based in Reedley, while Family Tree Produce is a separate entity. Always check the label for the exact name.
Do they use sustainable farming practices?
Family Tree Farms participates in sustainability programs like the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (though that’s for wine grapes) and follows industry best practices for water conservation and soil health. They also use integrated pest management, but they do not publicly disclose full sustainability reports.
What is the best way to store stone fruit?
Store ripe stone fruit in the refrigerator to slow further ripening. If the fruit is not yet ripe, keep it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, until it yields to gentle pressure. Once ripe, it will last about 3-5 days in the fridge.
Alternatives and Competitors
If you’re looking for similar stone fruit growers in the Reedley area, other notable operations include Kingsburg Orchards, Sun World International, and Gerawan Farming. These companies also grow and ship peaches, plums, and nectarines. For organic options, you might look for farms certified by CCOF, such as Twin Girls Farm in Fresno. Farmers markets in the region often feature smaller, family-run orchards that sell directly to consumers.
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