New Voices of the Valley: Peeling Back the Layers of Onions
In this episode of Voices of the Valley, we’re peeling back the layers on one of the most familiar ingredients in our kitchens: onions. Jessica Peri Dunham, Sales Manager at Peri & Sons Farms and a fourth-generation farmer, takes us behind the scenes of how onions are grown, harvested, cured and brought to grocery store shelves. She also shares her family’s journey in agriculture, the evolution of farming and why some time-tested practices are still essential to producing a quality onion. Along the way, we’ll uncover surprising facts about different onion varieties and how to choose the right onion for your next meal. -Taylor Lauson
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Western Growers Issues Statement in Response to Gov. Gavin Newsom Signing AB 2646 Into Law
Western Growers issued the following statement in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom signing AB 2646 into law: “California families are burdened by the nation’s highest cost of living and yet we now have another new economically stupid mandate imposed on the state’s farmers in the form of AB 2646,” said Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia. “None of our state’s farmers can simply absorb this new higher wage mandate. Some larger family farm businesses may be able to pass along this new labor cost to their grocery chain customers, who will pass it on to consumers already struggling with affordability challenges. Most farmers, however, cannot absorb or pass along
this dramatic wage increase. They have been beaten down by California’s higher operating costs and watched their grocery chain customers choose farmers in other states and countries where the same fresh foods can be grown at a lower cost. “Next time you hear people in Sacramento talk about their love of California’s farms and the wonderful food we grow here, remember that we have lost nearly 30 percent of our family farms in the last 25 years. That is because of the economic injuries that have been caused by foolish public policies. Californians are proud of our state’s farmers. They deserve better from Sacramento.” -Ann Donahue
56 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com October – December 2026
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