Business News
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- Written by: California Board of Food and Agriculture
SACRAMENTO — The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will hear updates from agricultural organizations, policy experts and business groups concerning single-use plastic packaging regulations on Tuesday, June 3.
The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N St., Main Auditorium, Sacramento.
The meeting is also available via Zoom. The webinar ID is 871 2264 9005, passcode is Board2025!. The phone access passcode is 2509326576.
There will be simultaneous Spanish interpretation available via the Zoom application.
“We need to reduce plastic pollution in our environment,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “At the same time, we must consider opportunities and pathways for California’s farmers and ranchers that advance a circular economy and allows for packaging innovation that maintains quality and safety of fresh food products.”
In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB 54) into law.
The act established enforceable goals to be achieved by 2032, which include 1) reducing single-use plastic packaging and food service ware by 25%; 2) recycling 65% of single-use plastic packaging and food service ware; and 3) ensuring that 100% of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware is recyclable or compostable.
Since the passage of the Act, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, or CalRecycle, has been engaged in the rulemaking process and continues public outreach.
CalRecycle is soliciting feedback on proposed changes to SB 54 regulations, with a comment deadline of June 3.
Invited speakers include Susan Robinson, Circular Action Alliance; Emily Rooney, Agricultural Council of California; Gail Delihant, Western Growers; Rick Tomlinson, California Strawberry Commission; representatives from the California Grocers Association and California Chamber of Commerce and other invited speakers. The Board will also be joined by a delegation from the Murcia Region (Spain) to discuss agricultural technology collaboration.
“As a grower, we are always concerned with costs — everything from water, labor, fertilizer and other inputs,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “Packaging, whether done in the field or at the cooler, has an impact on a farm’s bottom line. I support cutting plastic pollution but underscore that it is adding more costs to producers in a difficult economic time for agriculture.”
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.
The board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.
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- Written by: Redwood Credit Union
Hog Island Oyster Co. is one of the North Coast businesses being featured by Redwood Credit Union during Small Business Month. Shown here are CEO John Finger and co-founder and Vice President Terry Sawyer. Courtesy photo.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — As Redwood Credit Union, or RCU, marks 75 years of service, it’s celebrating not just its own history but the stories of the small businesses that helped shape the community alongside it as part of Small Business Month.
One such company is Hog Island Oyster Co. Like RCU, Hog Island is deeply rooted in community — it’s celebrating its 42nd anniversary — while also focused on building strong relationships and a sustainable future.
According to Hog Island founder and CEO John Finger, growing the blue food economy — through proteins sourced from aquatic environments — contributes to a more resilient and equitable food system. To help reduce its carbon footprint, and because oysters reflect a strong “sense of place,” the company sources most of its seafood on the West Coast.
Hog Island was co-founded by Terry Sawyer, who also acts as the company’s vice president. With locations throughout the North Bay and San Francisco, the company is committed to “doing things the right way.” Part of that is choosing where they bank.
“I like the model of a credit union,” Finger said. “Where we bank has an impact. Where that money is used has an impact. It means something to us.”
Another RCU business member, who recently financed heavy equipment with an SBA loan, is Direct Line Dozer, Inc., co-owned by longtime friends Vince Herring and Kevin Fox since 2020. Fox is also licensed as a timber operator for clearing brush for fire prevention efforts, but the company’s emphasis is on fighting fire. In 2024, they worked on the Point fire near Healdsburg, the Toll fire in Calistoga, and the Park fire in Chico, the largest wildfire of California's the season.
Herring’s father and grandfather moved mobile homes for a living, so he “grew up on tractors.” In addition to helping protect communities threatened by wildfires, Herring loves the sense of camaraderie he and Fox share with their crews. “It’s us against the fire. We’ve got to work as a team.”
According to Herring — an RCU member for nearly 20 years who also has mortgage and auto loans through RCU — teamwork was also on full display during his recent loan experience with RCU. Direct Line Dozer relies on federal firefighting contracts, which account for a lot of local jobs, but in order to apply, they needed additional equipment — a second semi and an excavator. Because of a looming deadline, they were worried they would have to wait until 2026.
“It came down to the wire,” Herring said. “The loan officer said it was the fastest they had ever funded an SBA loan.”
With the quick processing, Direct Line Dozer Inc. made the deadline to file for the federal government.
“RCU cares,” Herring said. “They heard our story and wanted to help us grow. They took time to get to know our company.”
He added, “The loan process can be intimidating, but everyone at RCU goes out of their way to make you feel comfortable and find the right person to help.”
Hog Island CEO had a similar experience — he said RCU understands their mission and supports their goals with an array of products and services, such as working lines of credit, fleet vehicle lending, and potential solar energy solutions. He also appreciates RCU’s benefits for its members, such as financial counseling. He's been spreading the word to his employees — those who work hourly often see their incomes vary seasonally, so the financial counseling is a welcome perk.
“Just because you’re making more money in the middle of summer doesn't mean it's going to be that way in January,” he said. “We want to help them have the tools they need to plan for that.”
He added that he appreciates that RCU “knows who we are and cares about what we're doing. It's not just about the money.”
Though this is the month small businesses are celebrated, at RCU they’re top of mind every day, no matter how big or small. RCU proudly serves over 19,000 local businesses. The credit union is currently the #2 SBA 504 lender in the Northern California Market.
“Operating a business in Northern California presents unique opportunities and real challenges,” said Steve Ward, SVP of Business Services. “It’s important to have a local partner who wants to understand your specific situation and present options to help you meet your goals. At RCU, we are committed to listening first and tailoring solutions to meet your unique needs.”
RCU’s Business Services team prides itself on their commitment to the local business community. Over the past three years, they have significantly enhanced the products and services they provide for their business members, ensuring they have access to products and the banking technology necessary to thrive in a competitive market. They offer a full suite of lending options supporting everyday purchases up to large commercial property purchases. RCU is also a Preferred SBA Lender, which allows them to process loans more quickly and efficiently with local decision-making.
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- Written by: America's Best Restaurants
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Lakeport restaurant Gaslight Grill hosted a visit from America’s Best Restaurants earlier this month.
America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently-owned restaurants, brought its ABR Roadshow to the restaurant on May 9.
Popular dishes were highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with owners Rod and Deanne Padel about the restaurant’s special place in the community.
The episode will be aired extensively on social media channels at a later date.
Established in 1988, Gaslight Grill is situated in historic downtown Lakeport, offering a tavern-style ambience and serving an American menu of casual dishes.
Originally known as Jack’s Gaslight Grill, the popular eatery closed in 2010 before the Padels revived it in 2017.
Gaslight Grill serves sandwiches and burgers, soups and salads, appetizers, and house specialties such as the hot pastrami sandwich and the turkey melt. They have daily food specials, happy hour, and a wide selection of beer and wine including sixteen beers on tap, including some that rotate seasonally.
The restaurant’s finished episode premiere date will be announced on their Facebook page and will be featured on America’s Best Restaurants’ website at https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/california/gaslight-grill.
Restaurants featured on the ABR Roadshow are selected based on their customer reviews, menu items, social media presence and level of involvement with their community. They are found through customer nominations, internal vetting or by a restaurant applying to be featured at www.americasbestrestaurants.com.
The Gaslight Grill, located at 135 N. Main St. in Lakeport, is open Monday through Saturday.
For more information, call 707-263-1404 or visit https://www.facebook.com/gaslightgrilllakeport.
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- Written by: AAA
Californians are paying an average of $4.87 for a gallon of gas right now, down five cents from last week. Compared to last Memorial Day weekend’s state average of $5.17, current gas prices are down by 30 cents.
“Gas prices haven’t been this low over Memorial Day since 2021 when the national average was $3.04,” said Doug Johnson, spokesperson, AAA Mountain West Group. “Supply and demand are playing a role in this year’s lower pump prices as crude oil supply is currently surpassing demand.”
Fuel prices around the state:
• Lake County: $4.90;
• San Francisco: $5.13;
• Oakland: $5.05;
• San Jose: $5.01;
• Sacramento: $4.99;
• Fresno: $4.93;
• Stockton: $4.90.
According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, or EIA, gasoline demand decreased from 8.79 million b/d last week to 8.64.
Total domestic gasoline supply increased from 224.7 million barrels to 225.5. Gasoline production increased last week, averaging 9.6 million barrels per day.
Oil market dynamics
At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 46 cents to settle at $61.57 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories increased by 1.3 million barrels from the previous week. At 443.2 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year.
EV charging
The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same this past week at 36 cents.
Nationwide stats: Gas
The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are California ($4.87), Hawaii ($4.49), Washington ($4.38), Oregon ($3.99), Nevada ($3.93), Alaska ($3.64), Illinois ($3.44), Arizona ($3.37), Idaho ($3.32), and Pennsylvania ($3.31).
The nation's top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.66), Louisiana ($2.71), Alabama ($2.74), Tennessee ($2.77), Texas ($2.78), Arkansas ($2.80), South Carolina ($2.81), Oklahoma ($2.81), Kentucky ($2.85), and Missouri ($2.87).
Nationwide stats: Electric
The nation’s top 10 most expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Alaska (51 cents), West Virginia (49 cents), Tennessee (48 cents), Hawaii (46 cents), Montana (45 cents), Louisiana (44 cents), New Hampshire (42 cents), South Carolina (42 cents), Arkansas (42 cents), and Kentucky (42 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive states for public charging per kilowatt hour are Kansas (25 cents), Missouri (27 cents), Maryland (28 cents), Delaware (29 cents), Nebraska (30 cents), Utah (30 cents), Iowa (32 cents), Massachusetts (32 cents), New Mexico (33 cents), and District of Columbia (33 cents).
Find gas prices at https://gasprices.aaa.com/.
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