Pinkham Persimmon Story
Roy Pinkham established one of California’s first commercial persimmon orchards in the 1940’s as a result of circumstances beginning with an act of kindness. His father, Eben, had been farming in the central San Joaquin Valley of California since the 1880’s and in the 1920’s Roy joined the family business after attending U.C. Berkeley. It was while he was at school that Roy became friends with Y. Chickasawa, a fellow student who went on to become a celery farmer in Oxnard, California.
At the outbreak of World War II, Americans of Japanese descent were being relocated to internment camps under the auspices of the government’s War Relocation Authority. In the process, many Japanese Americans were taken advantage of by unscrupulous businessmen, so Roy contacted his old friend and asked if he could be of assistance. They struck a deal whereby Pinkham bought Chickasawa’s house and farm for $1.00, pledged to maintain and manage all business interests, reinvest any profits, and at the end of the war sell back all of Chickasawa’s interests for the original one dollar purchase price.
Chickasawa and his family were relocated to the Manzanar internment camp near Lone Pine, California, at the base of Mt. Whitney. Several times Pinkham loaded up his car with food, clothing, and blankets and drove with his wife, Hazel, to visit the Chickasawas to help his friend through this difficult time. This was somewhat remarkable in that both gasoline and tires were rationed during the war, but also because Pinkham’s two sons were both in the service fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.
Out of gratitude and respect for Mr. Pinkham’s generosity, Mr. Chickasawa gave him enough Hachiya persimmons trees to establish a small 3 ½ acre orchard. That same orchard is still bearing top quality persimmons today.
For over 50 years the Pinkham Family has grown and packed persimmons to the highest possible standards. Only tree-ripened, fully – colored fruit is picked and each box is packed with care and pride, as though the recipient were a long time friend of the Pinkham family. The family packs a first label, the “Pinkham” brand, and a second label, the “Tioga”. Each “Pinkham” label quality persimmon is still hand sized, individually hand wrapped in special tissue, and then placed in a wooden box.
When one opens a box of Pinkham persimmons it is like taking a step back in time. The forest green tissue wrap against the full color orange persimmons is like nothing you can find today. The beautiful Pinkham label on the old-fashioned wood box looks just like it did in the 1940’s. For four generations the “Pinkham” label has only been placed on boxes bearing the finest quality fruit. Consistent quality is the hallmark of the “Pinkham” label. The first box must be equal in quality to the last.
The Pinkham persimmon orchard is still owned and operated by the Pinkham family. Pinkham persimmons will be available from October through December. Fruit Patch Sales is the exclusive marketing company for Pinkham persimmons.