Sun Pacific stone fruit refers to peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots grown by Sun Pacific Farming, a large California agricultural company best known for its Cuties mandarins and Sun Pacific brand table grapes. The company operates orchards in the San Joaquin Valley and grows stone fruit varieties developed for flavor and extended harvest windows, selling them under the Sun Pacific label to major U.S. grocery chains.
Background: Who Is Sun Pacific?
Sun Pacific Farming is a family-owned agribusiness headquartered in Pasadena, California, with operations centered in the San Joaquin Valley. Founded in 1969 by Bob Beyer, the company initially focused on citrus and later expanded into table grapes, kiwifruit, and stone fruit. Its most recognizable product is Cuties, a brand of seedless mandarins that helped popularize easy-peel citrus in the U.S. Sun Pacific also owns the Sun Pacific label for other fruits, including peaches, plums, and nectarines sold fresh in supermarkets.
The company’s stone fruit program is relatively small compared to its citrus and grape operations, but it has grown steadily since the early 2000s. Sun Pacific does not publicly disclose acreage or production volumes, but industry trade publications report that it operates several thousand acres of stone fruit in Fresno, Tulare, and Kern counties.
How Sun Pacific Grows Stone Fruit
Sun Pacific uses conventional and integrated pest management (IPM) practices. IPM combines biological controls, monitoring, and targeted pesticide use to reduce chemical inputs. The company also employs high-density planting systems, where trees are spaced closer together to increase yield per acre and allow for mechanical pruning and harvesting on some varieties.
Key growing practices include:
- Drip irrigation to conserve water and deliver precise moisture to roots.
- Thinning – removing immature fruit so the remaining fruit grows larger and sweeter.
- Variety selection – choosing cultivars with firm flesh, high sugar content, and long shelf life.
- Cold storage – fruit is hydrocooled and kept at 32–36°F (0–2°C) within hours of harvest to preserve quality.
Most Sun Pacific stone fruit is harvested from May through September, depending on the variety and location. Peaches and nectarines are picked when fully mature but still firm, because they continue to ripen after harvest. Plums are picked slightly earlier, as they do not ripen significantly once picked.
Varieties and What to Look For
Sun Pacific grows a range of stone fruit varieties, many of which are proprietary or licensed from breeding programs. Common types include:
- Yellow peaches – classic sweet-tart flavor, fuzzy skin.
- White peaches – lower acidity, very sweet, delicate texture.
- Yellow nectarines – smooth skin, firm flesh, tangy-sweet.
- White nectarines – honeyed sweetness, juicy.
- Plums – varieties range from sweet to tart, with red, black, or green skin.
- Pluots – plum-apricot hybrids, often sold under trademarked names like Dapple Dandy or Flavor King.
When buying Sun Pacific stone fruit, look for fruit that is fragrant, slightly soft at the stem end, and heavy for its size. Avoid fruit with bruises, cuts, or shriveled skin. Color is not always a reliable indicator of ripeness; some varieties remain green even when ripe.
How to Ripen and Store
Stone fruit from Sun Pacific is usually sold ripe or nearly ripe. If you buy firm fruit, ripen it at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for 1–3 days. To speed ripening, place the fruit in a paper bag with a banana or apple; the ethylene gas these fruits emit accelerates the process.
Once ripe, store stone fruit in the refrigerator. Ripe peaches and nectarines last about 3–5 days in the fridge; plums and pluots last 5–7 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the fruit. Frozen stone fruit keeps for up to 6 months and works well in smoothies, baking, or sauces.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that Sun Pacific stone fruit is genetically modified. It is not. The company uses traditional breeding and hybridizing, not GMO technology. Another common issue is mealy texture – fruit that is dry and grainy. This happens when fruit is chilled too early or stored at too low a temperature during transport. Sun Pacific uses hydrocooling and controlled cold chains to minimize this, but it can still occur with any stone fruit.
Pests and diseases are a constant challenge. Sun Pacific monitors for peach twig borer, oriental fruit moth, and brown rot, using pheromone traps and targeted sprays. The company also uses orchard sanitation – removing infected fruit and mummies – to reduce disease pressure.
Comparing Sun Pacific to Other Brands
Sun Pacific competes with other large California growers such as Paramount Farms (Wonderful brand), Bee Sweet, and Gerawan Farming. Compared to these, Sun Pacific’s stone fruit program is smaller and less widely advertised. However, the company has a strong reputation for quality in the wholesale market, and its fruit is often sold at premium prices in upscale grocery stores.
One notable difference is Sun Pacific’s focus on proprietary varieties. Many of its stone fruit cultivars are exclusive to the company, meaning you won’t find the same variety from another grower. This can be a plus for flavor consistency, but it also means that variety names are not always printed on the label – you may just see “Sun Pacific yellow peach.”
Cost and Availability
Sun Pacific stone fruit is sold at major chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods, as well as regional grocers. Prices vary by season and region, but you can expect to pay $2–$4 per pound for peaches and nectarines, and $3–$5 per pound for pluots and specialty plums. Organic Sun Pacific stone fruit is available in limited quantities and typically costs 20–30% more.
The fruit is most abundant from June to August. Early-season varieties (May) and late-season varieties (September) are often more expensive due to lower supply.
Safety and Food Handling
Stone fruit is generally safe to eat fresh, but it is important to wash it under running water before cutting, even if you don’t eat the skin. This removes dirt and potential pesticide residue. If you are cutting fruit for a fruit salad or dessert, use a clean cutting board and knife, and refrigerate cut fruit within 2 hours.
For people with a latex allergy, be aware that some stone fruit proteins cross-react with latex, causing oral allergy syndrome – itching or swelling of the lips and mouth. If you experience this, cook the fruit (which breaks down the proteins) or avoid it entirely. Sun Pacific does not make allergen claims on its stone fruit labels, so consumers with allergies should exercise caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sun Pacific stone fruit organic?
Sun Pacific grows both conventional and organic stone fruit, but organic is a small portion of their total crop. Look for the USDA Organic label on the packaging or the PLU code starting with 9 (e.g., 94044 for organic yellow peach).
Where can I buy Sun Pacific stone fruit?
Sun Pacific stone fruit is sold in many large U.S. grocery chains, including Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and Whole Foods. It is also available at some farmers markets in California. The company does not sell directly to consumers online.
How do I know if a Sun Pacific peach is ripe?
A ripe peach will have a sweet, fruity aroma at the stem end, and the flesh will yield slightly when pressed gently. The background color (the area not exposed to sun) changes from green to yellow or cream as it ripens. Avoid fruit that is rock-hard or has green undertones.
Can I freeze Sun Pacific stone fruit?
Yes. Wash, pit, and slice the fruit, then spread the slices on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or container. Frozen fruit will keep for 6–8 months and is best used in cooked dishes or smoothies, as freezing changes the texture.
Does Sun Pacific use pesticides on its stone fruit?
Sun Pacific uses integrated pest management, which includes minimal use of pesticides when necessary. They follow California regulations and USDA standards. If you are concerned about residues, buy organic Sun Pacific fruit or wash conventionally grown fruit thoroughly.
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