Sun Maid Raisin Factory Store

Have you ever driven through the San Joaquin Valley and seen the signs for the Sun Maid raisin factory store? It is located in my hometown of Kingsburg, CA. Sun Maid is the cooperative where we sell our raisins. They in turn process, package, market and sell the raisins all over the world. The coop is celebrating 95 years as the World's Favorite Raisin. The official name is the Sun Maid Growers of California.

We went to the factory store today to buy a few last minute gifts. These are some of the things we found here. I strongly encourage you to stop here on your next drive to Los Angeles or San Francisco if you live in the south. Remember, raisins got me through college, so spend, spend, spend for future generations.

The obvious products are anything raisin related. Many of you have tasted the chocolate raisins during the Holidays. Sun Maids chocolate raisins are made with, among other ingredients, a chocolate liqueur. This gives it a unique texture and flavor, unlike any other chocolate raisins out on the market. The store also has yogurt coated raisins, trail mix of various types, and dried fruit of every variety. The packaging is also rather different here.

Non raisin products include things like dried peaches, apricots, pineapple, apples, figs, dates, and nuts (other than peanuts),

You can also find toys, decorations, ornaments, and household decorations, including Christmas. They also sell T shirts, polos, jackets, and caps for real raisin fans.

It is easy to spend $50 or more here. The products are all premium quality, and the freshest products available. These are not leftovers or seconds. Plus we still enjoy our growers' discount since our family sells raisins to the Coop. It's a great stop next time you are driving through the Valley.



The Factory Store is about 2 to 3 miles from the very place I was raised. And it always brings back memories of those long hot summers, while we worked on my Uncle's farm. It also reminds me of my dearly departed grandparents. They provided the backbone for my family's success that we celebrate today.

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