Community Involvement, Jobs, Training and Facilities

CDCR food staff help save farm’s apricot harvest

August 12, 2025

Apricot harvest rescue's team include, from left, Jhatel Rodriguez, CSP-Sacramento acting correctional food manager (CFM); Phil Bettencourt, CHCF's CFM; Gene Braden with Spork Food Hub; Francisco "Cisco" Medina, CSP-Sacramento Procurement team Business Services Officer; Josh McCulloch, Folsom State Prison acting CFM; Lance Eshelman, Departmental Food Administrator; and Brian Gunther, CSP-Sacramento Warehouse Manager.

Thanks to some quick thinking of CDCR staff, and plenty of coordination, an apricot harvest was saved from going to waste.

When Assistant Correctional Food Manager Josh McCulloch of Folsom State Prison read a local news article about Fantozzi Farm in Stanislaus County losing more than 500 tons of apricots due to a collapsed verbal agreement, he saw an opportunity.

McCulloch reached out to CDCR Departmental Food Administrator Lance Eshelman, who oversees food services statewide. Together, they explored the possibility of rescuing the fruit harvest while simultaneously bringing a rare seasonal treat to the incarcerated population.

Two CDCR staff inspect apricots delivered from a small farm in California. — Phil Bettencourt and Josh McCulloch inspect the apricots.

“This effort supported taxpayers, helped a farm in need, strengthened trusted vendor relationships, and ultimately benefited those in our care,” said Eshelman. “When those things align, our ancillary and correctional staff are more likely to see a smile. (This) can make their day less stressful too.”

Putting a plan together

Eshelman connected with CDCR leadership, budget teams, and procurement staff to ensure all policies were met.

Community-based organization Impact Justice, who has worked with CDCR for the past two years to connect institutions with locally harvested produce, also helped. The organization identified Spork Food Hub as the ideal vendor to coordinate directly with the grower and manage logistics.

“We all saw the news story of this farm’s difficult position and wanted to help,” said Shayne Zurilgen, Spork Food Hub co-owner. “The farm picked them in the morning and we delivered to the sites the same day. We are proud of our working relationship with CDCR and the opportunities it is opening for California growers.”

Three institutions participated in this purchase including:

Folsom State Prison
California State Prison-Sacramento in Folsom
and California Health Care Facility in Stockton.

The fresh apricots served as a healthy, cost-effective substitute for other menu items. The effort also aligns with the state’s goals of purchasing California grown agriculture.

Farmer appreciative of staff’s efforts

Apricot farmer and Spork Food Hub delivery driver — Denise Fantozzi, owner/operator of Fantozzi Farms, and Gene Braden, Spork Food Hub deliverer.

“Finding out that these apricots were on their way to prisons made me so happy,” said Denise Fantozzi, owner-operator of Fantozzi Farms. “I’m sure this seasonal treat is not a common one for them, and I only hope that getting to taste some of these delicious ripe apricots will brighten their day.”

The effort spanned multiple state institutions, one small farm, and a dedicated food hub. The result? It proves swift collaboration can yield meaningful, multipronged results. What could have been a massive loss for a California farm instead became a moment of seasonal joy for thousands.

Story by Ashton Harris, information officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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