With their first major olive harvest, Kathy Lagorio Janssen and her husband, Dean Janssen, will embark on a new venture for Lagorio Family Farms. Following the visionary leadership of her late father, George Lagorio, Kathy and Dean recently expanded their farming endeavors by planting an orchard with Arbequina olive trees. This new orchard, planted like grapes in a trellis style, will be harvested mechanically with grape harvesters. Soon they will add extra-virgin olive oil to the list of products sold under the Lagorio Farms Label. Their family-owned business owes its success to the fertile soil of the San Joaquin Valley, its unique climate and the endless cycles of business opportunities.

Extra-virgin olive oil – or in our case Exceptional Valley Olive Oil - EVOO is considered the finest and fruitiest of the olive oils. This monounsaturated oil is the star ingredient of the popular Mediterranean Diet. EVOO is the purest form and contains the natural flavors, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants of the ripe olive fruit. Its sublime taste is attributed to its low acidity and lack of chemical processing.

The ancient method of processing – with stone wheels and press – is slowly being replaced by modern equipment which crushes the olive fruit into a paste, and then 'spins' it, allowing centrifugal force to separate the oil from the fruit. Although the flavor is most predicted by the variety of olive, it can be influenced by the degree of ripeness when the olive is harvested, and the master blender’s fancy.

Today's marketplace provides a wide selection of extra-virgin olive oil and flavored or infused oils. In California, olive oil is often sold as a varietal, similar to wine, featuring one type of olive. Whereas in Italy, a mixture of olives from several varieties grown in close proximity are blended and labeled according to the growing region.

Leonard Cicerrello, partner in Lodi Olive Oil Company, a producer of gold-medal extra-virgin olive oil, observes that consumers are increasing their consumption of California extra-virgin olive oil because they trust its purity and value its health benefits.

Extra-virgin olive oil has a short lifespan – if left in its liquid form. Air, heat, and light will cause olive oil to oxidize and turn rancid. Keep one bottle on your shelf for salads. When you need to preserve it for an extended shelf life to be used when sautéing, EVOO, it can be stored in a cool, dark place in a non-reactive, well-sealed container. David Lucas, owner of The Lucas Winery and EVOO fan, suggests that consumers store their favorite varietal in the refrigerator in a wide-mouth jar with a tight-fitting lid. The oil will solidify a bit, so using a clean spoon to scoop out this hallowed and most-revered food is the perfect solution to extend its freshness.

Mille Grazie Olio d’Oliva or “Thousand Thanks Olive Oil” is olive oil with a purpose. The label decorated with stick figures of children holding hands says it all. Its goal: to help children. Its guardians: local businessmen.

Six years ago, SOOPCO was formed with humble beginnings: an olive tree in need of pruning, some friends with advice and a deep sense of gratitude. Since then, the Stockton Olive Oil Project Charitable Organization (SOOPCO) has donated more than $100,000 from the proceeds of its olive oil sales to local children’s charities. Annually, SOOPCO members review the local crop in order to determine which varietals will be bottled. Availability depends on Mother Nature. One popular varietal, the Sevillano, was not offered last year because the crop yield was low. Support from the Sciabica Family, California’s oldest olive oil producer, ensures every case is bottled and labeled just right.?

To date, the following charities have benefitted from this Caring for Kids endeavor: The Child Abuse Prevention Council; St. Mary’s TLC; Make-A-Wish Foundation; Assistance League of Stockton/School Bell Project; Mary Graham Foundation Scholarship; Women’s Shelter of Tracy; YMCA of SJC/Cheadle Center; UOP Kennedy Events Center/Books School; Family Law Service Center; RSC of SJC; Kristen Watt Foundation; Library Literacy Program and The Children’s Museum.

For information about the availability of 2008 extra-virgin olive oil, please call (209) 939-9025. SOOPCO offers the following varieties: Mission, Sevillano, Spanish Select, Tuscan Blend, Manzanillo and Ascalano. These olive oils make a perfect gift for the holidays, housewarmings and/or for personal use. All proceeds go directly to local children’s charities.

Bozzano Olive Ranch
www.bozzanoranch.com
Stockton

Centi’Anni Estate
www.corto-olive.com
Stockton

Villa Spatafora
209-835-1552
Tracy

Bella Vista Ranch
209-351-0141
Linden

Lodi Olive Oil Company
www.lodioliveoil.com
Lodi

CortoOlive
www.corto-olive.com
Stockton

Lucas-Cicerello Extra Virgin Olive Oil
209-368-2006
Modesto

Conlin Olive Oil
800-853-3623
Waterloo

SOOPCO
209-939-9025
Stockton

Cecchetti
www.lagorio.com
Stockton

Sanctuary
www.SanctuaryByGrupe.com
Stockton

Corfino
www.corfino.net
Stockton

Lost Dogs Farm
Tracy