A Legacy in Every Field: The Smith Family of Turlock, California The Turlock Fruit Company has been a cornerstone of California agriculture for over a century. Started by the Smith family, it’s remained in their hands ever since. Don Smith, a second-generation farmer, grew up in the fields and still walks them every day. His presence is more than tradition—it’s proof of his lifelong commitment to quality. You’ll find him checking crops, talking with farmhands, and making sure every melon meets the high standard his family is known for. Their farm is more than a business; it’s home, history, and pride.
Sustainably Grown. Quietly Respected. Widely Trusted. The Smiths have built a legacy for growing some of the sweetest cantaloupes and honeydews around. Grown in sun-soaked fields with a focus on quality over quantity, each melon reflects generations of expert know-how. Today, in addition to their renowned melons, Turlock Fruit Company is one of the few remaining asparagus growers in California, preserving a tradition that’s nearly disappeared from modern farming. Their commitment to sustainable farming and hands-on quality shows up in everything they grow. It’s why they’ve been a trusted name for generations.
Rooted in Trust: A Partnership That’s Grown for 60 Years Turlock Fruit Company has been working with Nathel & Nathel since 1964, making it the longest-standing partnership in our history. It started when Don’s father teamed up with our founder, Daniel Nathel, united by a shared passion for exceptional produce. The Smiths grow the kind of produce we’re proud to deliver, and we make sure their harvests reach the right hands. It’s a relationship built on trust, strengthened by tradition, and carried forward through the care, pride, and hard work the Smiths bring to every crop.
