For foodservice and dietetics professionals: how California apricots can help people of all ages celebrate good food while achieving their health goals As professionals in the foodservice and dietetics fields, you play an integral role in helping people learn that eating healthy and enjoying food are compatible partners.  For school-aged children, adults or seniors, the rich, golden color and sweet tart flavor of California apricots make them a smart choice for demonstrating the pleasure of eating healthy.  Welcome! From recipes to school foodservice ideas to dietetic materials, the links on the left of the page will help you navigate through this site.  You may also find useful materials in our Consumer section.  On this page, we'll feature general apricot foodservice information, new recipes, informative articles and more.  As a new addition to our website, the Foodservice Resources section will continue to grow.  Check back for new information and let us know what you would like to see in the future. Apricots: Convenience, Nutrition, and a Better Bottom Line Delicate in nature and blushed with golden color, California apricots enjoy the distinction of being a specialty fruit. Consumers crave apricots' sweetly tart flavor, and foodservice professionals prize apricots for their versatility, perceived value, their price/performance ratio and more.  Plus, consumers can feel good about adding a boost of beta-carotene, a powerful anti-oxidant to their meal.  Choose from a variety of products: canned, concentrate, nectar, frozen, dried and fresh California apricots.  Available year-round (with the exception of fresh) the various apricot forms and pack styles boast an excellent shelf life and low labor costs.  Complementary Flavors Mean Limitless Menu Choices Lauded for their complementary flavor, food chefs have found the following flavors and foods to have a special affinity for apricots: pork, chicken, lamb, duck, curry, cumin, nutmeg, basil, tarragon, onion, garlic, salad greens, nuts, rice, couscous, wheat, chocolate, ice cream, yogurt, caramel, raisins, and much more. Experiment with California apricots!  Their versatility may well surprise you if you have not explored their compatibility with other foods.  For example, canned apricots purée easily for use as a fat substitute and freeze well for making a quick and refreshing sorbet.  For recipes, please visit our Foodservice Recipe Box. Foodservice Product Information For up-to-date information on apricot foodservice products (forms, pack styles, storage specifications and yields), please contact your foodservice distributor.  For additional information, we've provided contact information below for various California apricot processors. Canners: Mike Sullivan, VP & General Manager Del Monte Foods 205 N. Wiget Lane Walnut Creek, CA 94598 925.944.7252 direct 925.944.7229 main Matt Strong Pacific Coast Producers 631 Cluff Ave. P.O. Box 1600 Lodi, CA  95241-1600 209.367.6281 direct 209.367.8800 main Bill Caprista Signature Fruit Company, LLC 2260 Tenaya Drive Modesto, CA  95354 800.227.6746 www.signaturefruit.com Concentrate: Jeff Graham Sabroso Company P.O. Box 129 Medford, OR  97501 541.772.5653 main ext. 128 direct Jerry Widick J.R. Wood, Inc. 7916 W. Bellevue P.O. Box 545 Atwater, CA  95301 209.358.5643 main ext. 500 direct Freezers: P.J. Mecozzi Del Mar Food Products P.O. Box 891 Watsonville, CA  95077 831.722.3516 main Tom Ielmini Patterson Frozen Foods 100 W. Las Palmas P.O. Box 114 Patterson, CA  95363 209.892.2611 main ext. 335 direct Pam Yates J.M. Smucker Company 1275 Hansen St. Salinas, CA  93901 P.O. Box 81447 Salinas, CA  93912 831.424.2761 main Jerry Widick J.R. Wood, Inc. 7916 W. Bellevue P.O. Box 545 Atwater, CA  95301 209.358.5643 main ext. 500 direct