Matson & Isom Technology Consulting

Client Spotlight: Olive Pit

September 20, 2011

Traveling Interstate 5 can be a long, monotonous drive. There is a pit stop in Corning, however, that one can take to make it a bit more exciting! What used to be a frosty and hamburger stand, is now known as the Olive Pit. Pete and Ann Craig started their hamburger stand business over 40 years ago. They had a few olive trees and decided to put some jars of olives on the shelves to see if they’d sell. Well, they did, and the rest, as they say, is history!  You can still get a bite to eat while you’re there; the recently remodeled café features specialty sandwiches such as Muffuletta & Turkey Bistro, or try one of their char-broiled hamburgers and load it up with green or black olives.  But you won’t want to miss out on tasting at least one or two of their namesake – their delicious olives. The Olive Pit not only has amazing olives, but also local olive oils, nuts, flavored balsamic vinegars, mustards, and gift items created from olives just to name a few.

California is now known for olives, but it wasn’t until the 16th century that olives were introduced to America by the Spanish and Portuguese. California is one of the few places where olives are grown in America because of its optimum climatic growing conditions.

In 1904, two primary varieties of olives were planted in Corning: the Mission variety and Sevillanos from the vicinity of Seville, Spain. Mission trees produce a small olive, whereas over time, the Sevillanos produced the Queen Olives which are the largest variety. As the olives continued to grow, so did the varieties of olives in Corning. The olives may be what get people in the door of the Olive Pit, but it’s the hometown hospitality of this family owned and operated business that keeps them coming back time and time again.

Not traveling to Corning anytime soon? Never fear! You can order Olive Pit Olives online! www.olivepit.com  or Toll Free 1-800- Olive Pit *1-800-654-8374

References:

California Olive Council: www.olivecouncil.com

Olive Pit: www.olivepit.com

VIA Magazine: www.viamagazine.com

Red Bluff Daily News - Aug. 14, 2007: http://www.olivepit.com/about/news_article.html

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