California farmers who grow fruit for canned products suffered a major setback last week as Del Monte Foods announced plans to close its only remaining cannery in the state. Growers of cling peaches are especially impacted as the crop has no fresh market and is sold entirely to processors. The third-generation grower farms a total of 105 acres of peaches, all of which was contracted with Del Monte. The grower-owned cooperative purchased some assets from Del Monte during the bankruptcy sale, including unsold canned fruit inventory. “We intend to market and sell the Del Monte brand going forward for shelf-stable fruits,” Shulman said.