Oxnard, California, may not yet be world-famous, but one grower along the California coast is working hard to change that. Since its emergence on the market six decades ago, Bobalu has turned the tide in family-owned berry farming, with Oxnard as its beating heart.
The location is the epicenter of Bobalu’s operations, with additional ranches in Santa Maria, California, and partnerships with family farmers in Florida and Mexico ensuring a year-round production of the berries Bobalu has been planting since 1958. In many ways, Oxnard has become the strategic linchpin for the organization.
I spoke with Anthony Gallino, Vice President of Sales, to learn more.
Anne Allen: We’ve been covering Bobalu for years but have never taken a closer look at your Oxnard office—let’s fix that! What are some strategic advantages to the location?
Anthony Gallino, Vice President of Sales, Bobalu: The office is literally in the center of the ranch and alongside the processing plant. All the work done for this company is right out the back door. Advertisements and press materials tease our so-called “10 o’clock walk” because the offices are on the ranch, all the staff members from HR (Human Resources), accounting, administration, and others have the opportunity to walk outside and stand in the fields within seconds.
When I get to the offices and walk out to the ranch to grab some photos, I’ll see staff members walking around the hundreds of acres on their break or lunch hour.
AG: Being the home ranch, Oxnard is also the place where “the magic happens.”
It’s where the most innovation occurs! New packaging, new sustainability programs, new equipment, new processes to increase efficiencies—you name it, it’s being worked on in Oxnard. Once initiated and we see success, these programs will be implemented at other locations.
AG: April is when you see the most activity at Oxnard, and timing is everything. Easter this year falls on April 20, and that’s honestly the biggest holiday for strawberries all year long. It’s like Christmas for strawberries!
"New packaging, new sustainability programs, new equipment, new processes to increase efficiencies—you name it, it’s being worked on in Oxnard.”
Anthony Gallino, Vice President of Sales, Bobalu
As I said, timing is crucial, and Bobalu has the best shot at laying out promotions, establishing volume commitments, and providing the best quality for our shoppers who want strawberries on their Easter table. At peak season, customers can expect a high standard of quality strawberries. To ensure we can meet our customers’ demands, we have strict guidelines in place so we maintain high quality as our priority!
The importance of a strong home base is innate within humans; we all want to have a stronghold to return to. For Bobalu, its Oxnard headquarters has become a beacon of our industry strengths: teamwork, innovation, and a fervent love for the fields found right outside. 
