The first citrus trees in Sanger, California were planted by Mary Hazelton in 1866. Eight generations later, her family remains one of the largest citrus growers and packers in the Central Valley. We met Scott Riddle of Kings River Packing to uncover the story – and secrets – behind almost 170 years of success. 

Almost 180 years ago, the Hazelton family established a homestead and cattle ranch along the banks of the Kings River in Fresno County. Like many of the area’s original families, they began as cattle ranchers, however in 1866, William Hazelton returned from a cattle-buying trip to Mexico with a saddlebag of oranges in tow. His wife, Mary, was so enamored with the fruit that she decided to plant some of the seeds on the family homestead. Two of those orange trees took root, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Scott Riddle, a fourth-generation farmer in his own right, works in the Field Department at Kings River Packing. When asked what it takes to stay in business for eight generations, Scott points to two key factors: sustainability and integrity.

Sustainability: The secret to long-term success

As an eighth-generation farm – with the ninth generation soon to join the frey – sustainability is of the utmost importance. Thoughtful stewardship of the land and resources has enabled the family’s continued success. Scott explains, “At Kings River Packing, we care about sustainability – especially because we’ve been farming this land for so long.” 

In the orchards, water use is carefully monitored and managed through drip irrigation and microsprinklers, while solar panels provide renewable energy for operations. While such efforts toward environmental sustainability are crucial, economic sustainability is equally vital. Kings River Packing, which now includes two additional packing houses, Cobblestone and Jireh, employs state-of-the-art technology to improve efficiency and accuracy. This streamlined processing and packing help to reduce costs. After all, no business can thrive for 170 years without remaining economically sustainable.

Integrity: Growing the best citrus – and relationships – possible 

Scott credits much of Kings River Packing’s longevity to integrity. He elaborates, “I think part of the reason we’ve been around for so long is that we do what we say we’re gonna do. We work really hard to ensure that every bag, every box of fruit we ship out is gonna taste as good as it can.”

The concept of integrity also extends beyond customers to employees and partners. The Kings River Packing team approaches these relationships with intention, making sure that both employees and partners not only feel valued but are treated with the utmost respect. Scott proudly notes, “We have employees who have been with us for 40 years.”

Fresno County: An ideal location for growing citrus

When Mary Hazelton planted those first citrus seeds, she didn’t have access to climate data, soil tests, or any of the modern tools that would help determine whether citrus would thrive in Fresno County. Mary would have had no way of knowing that the Central Valley would ultimately grow the majority of the nation’s fresh citrus, with Tulare and Fresno Counties leading the way. 

Scott confidently asserts, “I think Fresno County is probably the best place in the world to grow citrus.” Kings River Packing’s orchards lie along the banks of the Kings River, at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Ample water supplies and protection from frost allows for a longer growing season. In fact, Kings River Packing can provide its customers with organic citrus year-round. Navels and Mandarins are picked and packed from October through June, while lemons are in season virtually all year round. 

It’s not easy being green

Some of the early-season oranges at Kings River Packing are harvested while still green! Cool winter nights help oranges attain their signature color, but by October, much of the fruit is ready to eat. In fact, many people believe that “green oranges” actually taste better! The green fruit is extensively tested – and tasted – to ensure that each piece of fruit meets Kings River Packing’s high standards. 

Visit Fresno County

Fresno County is a produce-lover’s paradise – but there’s so much more to see and do in the heart of the Golden State. Scott notes, “If you’d like to visit Fresno County, it’s very unique. We grow not only citrus but a whole lot of different agricultural products. We have a lot of nuts, a lot of grapes.” He continues, “The Blossom Trail is just a few miles from here. It’s really neat in the springtime because all the peaches, nectarines and plums are in full bloom. We also have the National Parks. Yosemite and Kings Canyon are about an hour away”. 

If you’re planning a trip to Fresno County, check out a few of our favorite destinations

Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by Paprika Studios and Hilary Rance.