Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where are River Ranch vegetables grown?
A: 100% of River Ranch romaine, iceberg, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and spinach are grown in California and southwestern Arizona. The mild climates and quality soil found on ranches in the Salinas and Imperial Valleys have classified them as ideal for lettuce and other vegetable cultivation.

Q: Are pesticides used on River Ranch vegetables?
A: Food Safety is of utmost concern to River Ranch. As a result, River Ranch contracts with industry leaders in pesticide control and food safety regulation to monitor all aspects of the growing process. Working with these third party experts ensures full compliance with federal, state and local pesticide and microbiological regulations, promising fresh, food safe products that River Ranch consumers have enjoyed for years.

Q: How are River Ranch vegetables harvested to ensure the freshest product?
A: River Ranch manages and controls the entire harvesting process, enabling our fresh picked vegetables to be cooled immediately after harvest. This quick transition ensures River Ranch vegetables receive the crucial care needed to extend freshness once packaged.

Q: Where are River Ranch salads and cut vegetables produced?
A: In order to ensure proximity to growing regions, River Ranch operates two state-of-the-art processing facilities in California. In the spring, summer and fall, River Ranch cut salads and vegetables are produced in Salinas, CA (Salinas Valley). During winter months, the production process takes place in El Centro, CA (Imperial Valley).

Q: How are River Ranch salads and cut vegetables produced?
A: River Ranch goes to great lengths to ensure the highest quality salads and cut vegetables products. After harvest, all vegetables are transported to our processing facility for quality assurance inspection. The vegetables are then washed, precisely cut to size, thoroughly washed again in chilled, purified water, dried and gently packaged. Technicians oversee the entire process, verifying that all quality, food safety and freshness parameters are met and maintained throughout the production run.

Q: Are preservatives used to keep River Ranch salads and cut vegetables fresh?
A: No preservatives are used to maintain the freshness of River Ranch cut salads and vegetables. The technology River Ranch uses to package the vegetables, coupled with proper refrigeration, “naturally preserves” the products, keeping them fresh for nearly 3 weeks after harvest.

Q: Are River Ranch salads and cut vegetables Kosher certified?
A: River Ranch salads and cut vegetables that are Kosher certified carry the star K symbol on the front of the package. These items include: Broccoli Slaw, Carrot Shreds, Carrot Chips, Cauliflower Florets, Snap Peas, Snap Peas & Carrots, Snow Peas, Chopped Iceberg, Garden Salad Blend, Shredded Iceberg, Diced Cabbage, Red Cabbage, Shredded Cabbage, Cole Slaw and Angel Hair Cabbage.

Q: How should I store my River Ranch salads and cut vegetables?
A: River Ranch salads and cut vegetables should be kept refrigerated until ready to serve. Once opened, keep remaining contents in original package, squeeze air out of bag, reseal tightly with clips and store in refrigerator crisper.

Q: How long will my River Ranch salad stay fresh?
A: Most fresh cut produce should last in your refrigerator (unopened) through the use-by-date, stamped on the upper right corner of the package, usually 5-7 days once you get it home. However, it is not uncommon for products that have been kept under consistent, 34-36 degree refrigeration to remain fresh for days beyond the “use by date”. Salads or cut vegetables that deteriorate before the “use by date”, have most likely suffered some sort of temperature abuse during the life of the product.

Q: Is it necessary to wash River Ranch salads and cut vegetables before eating them?
A: No, all River Ranch salads and cut vegetables are thoroughly trimmed, chopped, washed and packed ready to eat! However, as your packaged salad or cut vegetables get close to the “use by date”, gently rinsing the produce with clean, cold water will help to “refresh” the vegetables.

Q: How do I open my River Ranch “resealable” package?
A: No scissors are needed to open a River Ranch “resealable package” thanks to the handy perforation found on the front of the package. When looking at the front of the package, you will see a perforated line running across the top of the bag. Sever the perforation by running your finger along the entire strip. This will expose the resealable zipper. Grasp the top of the zipper and pull apart to open. To close, simply squeeze out the excess air and reseal using the zipper.

Q: Can I freeze River Ranch salads and/or cut vegetables?
A: While you cannot freeze any lettuce-based salads, you can freeze River Ranch fresh cut vegetables if they are blanched in boiling water first.

Q: Where can I buy River Ranch salads and cut vegetables?
A: River Ranch salads and cut vegetables are available throughout the United States and Canada. If your local grocery store doesn’t carry the items you are looking for, inform the store produce manager that you would like to purchase these items from their store.

Q: Is it safe to eat the salads if they are past the "best if used by code date?"
A: Yes, it is possible to eat the salads after that code date. Trust your own judgment by the smell and the look of the salad.

Q: What are the long thin “weeds” in with the spinach and are they safe to eat?
A: Those “weeds” are called Cotyledons and they are immature Spinach leaves. They supply the nutrients to the plant and as the spinach grows they will yellow and fall off. They are not harmful to eat.

Q: What are the white spots on the Sugar Snap Peas?
A: The white spots are from mechanical damage when harvesting the peas. They are safe to eat but in time the white spots will start to decay.