Ag Report: San Benito Olive Festival coming soon

The 2nd annual San Benito Olive Festival is Saturday October 11th and despite the drought, organizers have high expectations for this year’s event.

The non-profit is dedicated to showcasing the local culinary agriculture and artisans and raise money for community foundations.

The festival expects see about 3,000 people this year, more than in the inaugural year so it will be held at Bolado Park in Tres Pinos.

“San Benito County produces a lot of, not just olive oil, but other products too…to buy locally is much fresher and nicer,” said Candie Robertson a local olive grower.

The drought has taken a toll on local growers, with fewer and smaller olives. However, even with the lower yield, growers are still proud to show off their prize-winning olive products at this year’s event.

“Pertaining to the drought it’s funny, it does affect the organizing and it does affect the planning of the festival for us, we want to be conscious of ecology and don’t want to be wasteful,” said Whitney Pintello, executive director of the festival.

For more information: http://www.sanbenitoolivefestival.com/