With deep roots in California agriculture and eyes on the future, Valley Sun sets the standard for sun-dried tomato production.
Tucked in the heart of California’s Central Valley, just miles from two of Morning Star’s major processing facilities, you’ll find Valley Sun Products—a company with deep roots, enduring purpose, and a dedicated team behind every sun-dried tomato that reaches our customers.
As an affiliate of The Morning Star Company, Valley Sun is part of a vertically integrated network that gives food manufacturers a secure, transparent supply chain. Every tomato is 100% California grown, selected for quality and consistency, and processed with care from field to finished product.
Valley Sun operates the largest sun-drying yard in California—more than 55 acres—where tomatoes are laid out under the sun to dry slowly and naturally. The facility can process over 3 million pounds each season, blending traditional drying methods with modern systems designed for food safety and efficiency.
The product line includes classic cuts like halves, julienne, minced, and diced, as well as flavor-infused varieties such as zesty Italian, savory blends, and naturally smoked options using real wood chips. In recent years, sun-dried tomato powders—available plain or seasoned—have become a growing area of innovation, offering bold flavor and nutrition for everything from snacks to sauces.
At the center of this continued evolution is Cesar Corona, who has been with Valley Sun since its first day over 30 years ago. With a background in both domestic and international drying operations, Cesar’s expertise has guided product development, factory design, and global expansion efforts. He’s led the development of new cuts and formats, helped establish and improve international dry yards, and continues to work on innovations that maintain flavor integrity while improving processing efficiency. Whether it’s exploring hybrid drying techniques or adapting machinery to reduce labor reliance, Cesar is constantly looking ahead. His leadership is hands-on and driven by a passion for creating value while preserving the authenticity that makes sun-dried tomatoes unique.
To further enhance efficiency, Valley Sun is investing in upgraded x-ray systems and a new foreign material sorter, reducing labor demands while maintaining high food safety standards. These improvements reflect a broader commitment to continuous improvement—developing tools and processes that elevate the operation as the industry evolves.
Valley Sun’s long-standing success also stems from the dedication of its core team. James Sherwood joined the team in 2019 as a Commercial Colleague. He works closely with Cesar (and the entire VSP team) on strategy, finance, operations, and marketing. James is focused on expanding Valley Sun’s operations with an emphasis on quality and food safety.
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Rosie Anaya, with over 20 years of experience, supports HR, accounting, payroll, safety, and compliance—ensuring seasonal operations run smoothly and that team members are supported in a collaborative, respectful environment.
Alma Vieyra, who has spent 27 years with the company, manages order processing and logistics. Her accuracy and dependability help maintain Valley Sun’s strong reputation for service and reliability across every customer interaction.
Frank Lua brings more than 30 years of experience to production and logistics. He coordinates what gets run and shipped, maintains supply inventory, and ensures timing aligns with customer needs—all while drawing from a lifelong connection to the sun-dried tomato industry.
In Quality Assurance, Yolanda Padilla oversees food safety, testing, and compliance protocols. With over three decades at Valley Sun, she ensures products meet rigorous standards and helps guide others in upholding the company’s commitment to excellence.
Together, this team operates in a self-managed structure rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility. Their combined experience, consistency, and passion for the product make Valley Sun a standout in the industry.
Valley Sun isn’t just a facility—it’s a legacy built by people who care about what they do and the quality they deliver. With an eye on leadership in the category and a commitment to continuous improvement, Valley Sun continues to redefine what sun-dried tomatoes can offer in a fast-changing food industry.
Because when something is made with integrity—from the inside out—it speaks for itself.
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