California Ag Network

Tag: California Table Grape Commission

  • Grapes from California Promoted Globally Throughout the Fall

    As the fall and winter seasons approach, the global marketing campaign executed by the California Table Grape Commission (commission) highlights the many ways to share, prepare, and enjoy Grapes from California all around the world.

    California grapes are available now through January with opportunities to promote grapes among festive holiday celebrations. The ongoing campaign offers a comprehensive suite of tools and incentives to encourage retailer promotions including: bonus opportunities, digital promotions, contests, point-of-purchase materials, and in-store sampling. To encourage shoppers to purchase California grapes, the campaign features advertising on multi-retailer shopper apps, digital coupons and rewards, influencer and RD collaborations, and targeted social media advertising that highlights recipes, snacking ideas, and the health benefits of California grapes.

    The execution of a dynamic global marking campaign requires not only a dedicated commission staff, but a network of keen export market representatives. One such representative, Francis Lee, was recently recognized with a service award to honor his 30 years of service to the California table grape industry. “In-country market representatives are exceptionally important to the success of the commission export marketing program,” said Ian LeMay, commission president. “Francis’ work over the past three decades has helped solidify Grapes from California as a globally recognized brand known for its quality, exceptional taste, and safety,” said LeMay.

  • Bills to Support Central Valley Specialty Crop Producers Reintroduced

    Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) has reintroduced two bipartisan bills to improve the domestic specialty crop industry—the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. California produces the most specialty crops in the country in both quantity and diversity, with over 400 commodities produced in the state per year. These bills would make technology and resources available so they can access new markets and remain competitive.

    Congressman Valadao originally introduced these bills in the 118th Congress.

    “Specialty crops are a cornerstone of Central Valley agriculture, but due to challenges like labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs, it’s been difficult for farmers to stay competitive,” said Congressman Valadao. “We need to ensure our growers are best equipped to handle these obstacles, and these bills will give them the tools needed to expand into new markets, invest in modern technology, and continue putting fresh, nutritious food on tables across the country.”

    “CFFA is again proud to have worked with the California Table Grape Commission to co-lead this collaborative effort to promote U.S. produce domestically and help equip our farmers with the tools and technologies they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. I would like to thank Congressman Valadao for reintroducing these bills that aim to support the modern needs of American agriculture. These bills will support farmers and their employees to ensure that America continues to be a global leader in agricultural production,” said President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, Daniel Hartwig.

    “California table grape growers are grateful to Congressman Valadao for his leadership in reintroducing the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. These measures address two of the most pressing challenges our industry faces—expanding consumer demand and addressing critical labor shortages. Investments in market development will help ensure consumers know when U.S.-grown produce is in season and available, while mechanization assistance will support growers in overcoming labor challenges. Together, these efforts strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops, provide consumers with greater access to healthy, nutritious produce, and support the long-term viability of family farms in California and across the nation,”

    said President of the California Table Grape Commission, Ian LeMay.

    Additional co-sponsors include: Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-21), and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01).

    The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act would create a program that helps specialty crop producers market their products to access American markets. It replicates the popular Market Access Program (MAP) through USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) specifically for specialty crop producers to break into niche domestic markets.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act makes it easier for specialty crop producers to remain competitive in the face of labor shortages by making expensive automation technology more accessible to producers. This bill aims to create a reimbursement-based cost-share program which would permit growers and processors to invest more in these time and money-saving technologies.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

  • New Marketing Directors Join the California Table Grape Commission

    The California Table Grape Commission welcomes Lisa Massie and Alexandra Merritt to the marketing team. As the director of international marketing for Asia, Massie will lead the marketing work in targeted export markets throughout Asia, focusing on building demand for California table grapes through the work of multiple in-country promotion teams. Massie served as the Global Marketing and Communications Specialist at Trillium Flow Technologies and brings a background in account management, business analysis, communications, and export promotion with her to the commission. As director of global marketing, Merritt will manage retail accounts in the U.S. and will lead the marketing work in the key export markets of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, Merritt will be responsible for directing category management research. Merritt joins the commission from Root Creative Marketing where she served as Account Director and was responsible for implementing marketing campaigns for a diverse set of agriculture, food product, and lifestyle product clients.

    “Both Lisa and Alexandra bring talent, drive, heart, and extensive backgrounds in account management and analysis to the commission marketing team,” said Ian LeMay, incoming commission president. “We are very pleased to welcome them to the team and look forward to the many contributions they will each make in the years to come,” said LeMay.

  • Local Chefs at Whole Vine Festival Awarded for Innovative Use of California Table Grapes

    To support the local and innovative culinary use of grapes, the California Table Grape Commission sponsored a competition at the recent Whole Vine Festival, awarding cash prizes to the top three food trucks incorporating grapes from California on their menus. A $1,000 grand prize was awarded to Rice and Spice for their Thai Papaya (and grape) salad. Runner up $250 prizes went to Marcelino’s Wood Fired Pizza for their Whole Vine Pie (grape & balsamic glaze reduction drizzled over cheese blend topped with arugula and fresh sliced grapes) and their dessert pizza (with red grapes, brie and honey), and Madtown’s Burger & Tacos for their Grape Pollination Salad and PB&J Burger.  Watch this brief interview with Whole Vine Festival President Vickie Goudreau as she introduces the grand prize winner and shares more details with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network.

  • Grape Consumption Benefits Eye Health in Human Study of Older Adults

    California Table Grape Commission — In a recent randomized, controlled human study, consuming grapes for 16 weeks improved key markers of eye health in older adults. The study, published in the scientific journal Food & Function looked at the impact of regular consumption of grapes on macular pigment accumulation and other biomarkers of eye health. This is the first human study on this subject, and the results reinforce earlier, preliminary studies where consuming grapes was found to protect retinal structure and function.

    Science has shown that an aging population has a higher risk of eye disease and vision problems. Key risk factors for eye disease include 1) oxidative stress and 2) high levels of ocular advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs may contribute to many eye diseases by damaging the vascular components of the retina, impairing cellular function, and causing oxidative stress. Dietary antioxidants can decrease oxidative stress and inhibit the formation of AGEs, with possible beneficial effects on the retina, such as an improvement in Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD). Grapes are a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols.

    In this new study, 34 human subjects consumed either grapes (equivalent to 1 1⁄2 cups of grapes per day) or a placebo for 16 weeks. The grape eaters showed a significant increase in MPOD, plasma antioxidant capacity, and total phenolic content compared to those on placebo. Those who didn’t consume grapes saw a significant increase in harmful AGEs, as measured in the skin.

    “Our study is the first to show that grape consumption beneficially impacts eye health in humans which is very exciting, especially with a growing aging population,” said Dr. Jung Eun Kim. “Grapes are an easy, accessible fruit that studies have shown can have a beneficial impact in normal amounts of just 1 1⁄2 cups per day.”

  • Celebrate Central Valley Grapes, Raisins & Wines at the Whole Vine Festival

    The inaugural Whole Vine Festival is coming to Fresno State University Oct. 21-22, 2023. Grape growers and consumers alike are invited to gather to celebrate the best of the San Joaquin Valley.  Watch this brief interview with Whole Vine Festival President Vickie Goudreau as she shares more details.  American Vineyard Magazine is proud to be among the Founding Sponsors and supporters of this free-admission event, so be sure to read more about the festival in the latest issue.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor the U.S Department of Agriculture for their industry support.

  • Leadership Transition Planned for California Table Grape Commission

    Ian LeMay, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association will become President & CEO of the California Table Grape Commission in the spring of 2025. LeMay will succeed Kathleen Nave who has served in the lead staff role since January 1999 when she succeeded Bruce Obbink. Nave joined the commission in 1987 and plans to retire in the spring of 2025. LeMay will join the commission staff as incoming president once he finds and successfully transitions his successor.

    “We are thrilled that Ian accepted the offer to join the commission team and to transition into the lead role,” said Nave. “Ian is successfully leading an important industry organization now and will bring his experience, expertise, character, and knowledge of the issues growers face to the work of the commission. Having worked closely with Ian since he took over as president of the association almost four years ago I have seen his commitment to growers exhibited many times and truly look forward to working with him and watching him take on the worldwide promotion of California table grapes!”

    According to Nave, the California Table Grape Commission has a history of choosing its President & CEO carefully and then allowing time for the incoming leader to transition into the role. In its 55 year history there have been only three commission presidents, two of whom served for over 25 years.

  • California Goodness Campaign Highlights Pride in Growing Table Grapes

    With the harvest underway in both the Coachella and San Joaquin Valleys, California grapes are available around the country and shoppers and retailers can celebrate the California Goodness that comes with every bunch of California table grapes.

    As the season kicked off, so did The California Table Grape Commission (commission) California Goodness campaign, to remind shoppers and retailers alike that when they purchase California grapes, they are supporting an industry of table grape growers and farmworkers dedicated to producing a high-quality, safe, and healthy product to shoppers around the world.

    The campaign features a series of videos shot in the table grape growing regions of California with growers and farmworkers sharing their pride in producing table grapes for the world to enjoy. The first set of videos features a grower and several farmworkers in the Coachella Valley. Their stories are being shared on GrapesfromCalifornia.com and on commission social media platforms. Similar stories from the San Joaquin Valley will be gathered and shared later this season. Another video that shows shoppers how to find California grapes on packaging is also airing on social media.

    In addition to the videos, California Goodness radio spots are available for retailers.

    “Shoppers should know that when they purchase California table grapes, they are not only choosing the best-tasting, highest-quality grapes in the world, they are also supporting growers, farmworkers, their families, and the communities in which they work and live,” said Kathleen Nave, commission president.

    Videos featuring a grower and farmworkers in Coachella Valley can be viewed HERE.

  • USDA to Purchase $30 Million in US Table Grapes in 2022

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase U.S.-grown table grapes as part of its 2022 Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP).

    The USDA recently announced its commitment of $30 million to purchase U.S.-grown table grapes in 2022 for distribution to food banks and other food programs around the country. Purchases will be made June through December, a timeframe during which California-grown table grapes dominate U.S. production (with about 99% of all US grapes grown in California). The award, which came as a result of a formal request made by the California Table Grape Commission, will mark the third year in a row that table grapes have been included in the federal food purchasing program.

    Table grape shippers interested in participating in the FPDP must apply to become a USDA vendor and then, if approved, submit bids in a competitive process. Growers must undergo and pass the USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) audits. GAP focuses on farm review and field harvesting/packing activities while GHP covers packinghouses, cold storage, and transportation.

    The USDA award announcement comes as planning for the 2022 California table grape season gets underway and meetings with retailers are scheduled. Part of planning for the season includes knowing what commitments are already made for the upcoming crop. – California Table Grape Commission

  • California Table Grape Commission Promotes Karen Hearn

    Karen Hearn is the new Vice President of Domestic Marketing for the California Table Grape Commission. Hearn’s responsibilities include leading the domestic retail team, providing strategic direction, and partnering with retailers to motivate consumer purchase of California table grapes.

    “Karen has long been a valuable member of the table grape team,” said Kathleen Nave, president of the commission, “and now she has a larger leadership role to play.” Nave noted that having someone with Karen’s experience, savvy, and commitment lead the domestic marketing program is of tremendous benefit to growers – particularly during such a challenging time. “Karen knows grapes, knows the retail environment, knows how to help retailers and growers move a crop. She loves the work and it shows.”

    Prior to her promotion, Hearn was the senior marketing director for the commission. “I am grateful for all Karen has done during her tenure, for the leadership she has shown, and for the great work I know is yet to come,” Nave said.