Fresh Dates by Anderson vs Desert Sun Dates: A 1920s Thermal Farm or Sky Valley Shipping?

Fresh Dates by Anderson is a Thermal family farm with roots back to the 1920s — the first great era of Coachella Valley dates — selling fresh-picked fruit from under the trees, a few feet from where it’s boxed. The signage takes you to what looks like a house, because it is one. Go anyway; that’s the real valley.

What Anderson does well

A century of continuity and fruit sold at the source. Buying under the palms from a family that’s been doing this since the twenties is the valley’s living history, not a retail experience.

We grow these. Golden Zahidi Dates — Nutty, Less Sweet, Never Sticky | California Farm-Direct from our family farm in Sky Valley, California — from $15/lb, shipping included. See them →

What farm-direct from us looks like

We’re the younger operation one end of the valley north, built around shipping: our own Medjool, Zahidi and seasonal Barhi from Sky Valley, packed from the cold room and sent to the lower 48 with freight in the posted price. Jumbo Medjool from $19 (to $9.83/lb by the box), Zahidi from $15, bulk from $9.00/lb.

The honest verdict

Driving the Thermal back roads? Stop at Anderson’s and buy under the trees. Everywhere else, ours arrives at your door days off the palm. The valley’s full story — including how those 1920s farms got here — is in the grower’s guide and our history of California dates.

Written by Jason Shopshear of Desert Sun Dates, Sky Valley, California.