Special Publications

The Olive City The bounty of... Corning 2010 15 Corning 2010 Olives, a multi-million dollar crop for Tehama County, have become more than a food for Corning residents – they have become a reason to celebrate. It all started in 1897 when mission olive trees were planted in what would one day become the Olive City. Not much was expected from the fruit — it was grown primarily for oil. But after the olive trees withstood the year's winter and pests that wreaked havoc on other fruit trees, a new industry was born. The Maywood Colony Canning and Packing Association was formed with olives showing signs of their royal future. The olive industry grew even more with the success of the Sevillano Olive, which had originally been intended to be discarded because they were late- bearing. But the olive packing plant's manager decided to save the batch. These saplings began to produce olives the size of small plums. They would later be crowned the queen of all olives, and Corning became known as the home of the "Queen Olive." In 1913, H.J. Heinz began to pack olives. In 1920, B.E. Glick purchased Maywood's olive mill. In 1928, he began canning ripe olives. Stanley Roush started the Corning Olive Co., which became La Miranda and then Olives, Inc. in 1935. This was sold to Feather River Olive Growers who merged with Lindsay Ripe Olives in 1962. Glick joined Early California Foods in 1964. Roush sold Olives, Inc. to John Psyllos, who sold Olives, Inc. to Bell-Carter in 1990. Maywood Packing Co. also sold its facility to Bell-Carter. Tehama County Olives normally contribute about $12 million to the county's fruit and nut industry, according to the county's annual crop report. Corning is recognized as the Olive City by locals as well as by those just passing through. The ever-popular and entertaining Olive Festival each summer is a great time to visit, but olive lovers can get their fill year-round at the Olive Hut, 3487 Hwy. 99W, and the Olive Pit, 2156 Solano St. Sevillano — The Queen Olive Want a taste? Visit the Olive Hut or the Olive Pit for tasting and gifts Local Olive Oil — Building Gourmet Reputation Locally grown and produced olive oil is catching the attention of the growing Slow Food movement and gourmets and foodies from throughout the state and nation. There are three local mills producing artisan olive oil and the industry has seen rapid growth in recent years. Corning Olive Oil, 721 Fig Lane in Corning, 824-5447, tours and tasting by request. corningoliveoil.com Greek businessman and long-time olive grower, John Psyllos, sold his olive packing operation in 1990 and brought in an oil mill. It is now owned by members of his original crew and maintains the family traditions that have made it a success. Lucero Olive Oil, 2120 Loleta Ave. in Corning, 824-2190, tours and tasting by request, lucerooliveoil.com Fourth generation olive grower Dewey Lucero draws on some of the oldest olive trees in the state in his family's groves. His maternal grandfather owned a nursery for more than 27 years and grew a majority of the olive trees in production in the North State. Pacific Sun Olive Oil, 22880 Gerber Road in Gerber, 385-1475, tours and tasting by request, pacificsunoliveoil.com The collaboration of Brendon Flynn, third generation farmer, and agricultural awareness proponent Brian Kenny, childhood friends, focuses on producing 100 percent natural, healthy oils from freshly-picked olives. The operation hosts Love At First Crush each fall, with oil and wine tasting, food and entertainment.

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