California Ag Network

Tag: Ian Lemay

  • California Table Grape Commission Chairman Elected

    Justin Parnagian of Fowler Packing Company Inc. was recently elected to serve as the chairman of the California Table Grape Commission. Parnagian was preceded by Marko Zaninovich, of Sunview Vineyards, who served as commission chairman since 2024.

    “The commission is deeply appreciative of Marko’s leadership during a significant period of transition for our organization and industry,” said Commission President Ian LeMay. “Throughout his tenure as chairman, Marko demonstrated a tremendous respect for the legacy of the California table grape industry, while also maintaining a clear focus on the work necessary to position our industry for the future and address the challenges ahead. We are equally excited to welcome Justin into this leadership role and look forward to working alongside him as we continue advancing the mission of the commission and building upon the strong foundation of California table grapes both domestically and internationally.”

    Six commissioners were also recently reappointed to their positions after district nomination meetings were held between March 3 and March 4, 2026: Jack Campbell, District 1; Wayde Kirschenman, District 2; Jon Paul Zaninovich, District 3; John D. Zaninovich, District 4; Gary Gipson, District 5; and Justin Parnagian, District 6. — Story contributed by the California Table Grape Commission

  • California Table Grape Commission Launches a New Global Campaign as the Season Arrives Early

    The California table grape season is on track to arrive about two weeks early, signaling that grapes from California will be available for promotion longer than previous seasons. Each season begins in the Coachella Valley, where growers are expecting to begin harvesting at the beginning of May this year. An early start to harvesting in the San Joaquin Valley is also expected to begin in mid-June.

    “California grapes have always enjoyed a long season, with grapes often being promoted into January, but an early start to the season this year lets retailers get a head start on promotions and providing tasty, healthy, happy Grapes from California to eager customers,” said Commission President Ian LeMay.

    For the 2026 season, the Commission is launching an updated global marketing campaign throughout the U.S. and up to 22 export markets, targeting the trade — which includes retailers, wholesalers and importers, as well as primary shoppers — with the objective to drive demand for California table grapes. The updated campaign introduces retailers and consumers to a cast of characters known as the Lunchbox League. The Lunchbox League is a trio of superhero grapes that originate from California, where tasty fuels healthy, and healthy makes happy. Captain Cluster, Munch and Glow are the superheroes who make up the Lunchbox League and serve as the embodiment and personification of all the health benefits, taste, and quality of California grapes.

    “This campaign element is exciting because it capitalizes on the scientific perspective published by Dr. John Pezzuto in July 2025, which claimed grapes should be considered a superfood, in order to give the Lunchbox League their superhero status,” said LeMay.

    Dr. Pezzuto, Ph.D., D.Sc., is a leading resveratrol and cancer researcher and Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Western New England University.

    To drive demand for California grapes through the season, the commission works with retail partners on a variety of activities such as contests, digital promotions, merchandising, point-of-purchase materials and sampling. For retailers in the U.S. with registered dietitians on staff, the commission Retail RD Program offers an additional way to promote Grapes from California and highlight the health benefits of grapes to shoppers. Retail dietitians can work directly with the commission dietitian team to develop customized promotional activities and educational materials.

    “With a healthy crop arriving early and an engaging new campaign with demand-driving materials and activities, the commission is eager to work with retailers throughout the U.S. and around the world to move California table grape volume this season,” said LeMay.

    — Story provided by the California Table Grape Commission

  • Table Grape Commission Awarded $2.2M through Through America First Trade Promotion Program

    The California Table Grape Commission announced a $2.2 million award through the America First Trade Promotion Program to support expanding international marketing efforts to strengthen demand for California table grapes.

    “This award through the America First Trade Promotion Program represents a meaningful investment in the continued success of the California table grape industry and the communities the industry supports,” said Commission President Ian LeMay. “We are grateful to the Trump Administration for recognizing the importance of export market development and for providing tools that help American agriculture compete and thrive in global markets. These resources will allow us to expand strategic promotions in key partner countries and ensure consumers around the world continue to choose grapes from California.”

    California table grapes are exported to more than 60 countries each year, with international markets representing an important component of industry stability and growth. According to the Commission, funding from this award will support retail initiatives in Australia, Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom, and reinforce California’s position as a global supplier, while supporting growers, shippers and farming communities throughout the San Joaquin and Coachella valleys.

  • California Table Grape Growers Double Impact of Food Bank Donations

    California table grape growers are doubling the impact of each gift made to the Central California Food Bank between October 20-31 to help provide meals for families facing hunger across the Central Valley.

    October is California Farmer and Farmworker Month, a month-long acknowledgement of California’s hardworking farmers and farmworkers. In celebration of the hands that help feed us, every dollar donated during the two-week campaign, up to $15,000, will be matched by California table grape growers. The campaign is designed to raise awareness and provide essential support to sustain food distributions in the San Joaquin Valley. Specifically, funds raised will help strengthen Central California Food Bank’s Farmworker Community Partnership Program across Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties.

    Central California Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Central California, serving Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare counties. In Central California, 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 3 children face food insecurity, which is the limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Through a network of more than 260 member partner agencies, Central California Food Bank distributes nutritious foods to over 320,000 people each month, including more than 100,000 children.

    The campaign is a demonstration of California table grape growers’ collective commitment to building thriving communities in the table grape growing regions. “The commission is a service-based organization, and this initiative is a reflection of the commitment of California table grape growers to the communities they live and work in,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.

    For more information about the campaign, please visit give.ccfoodbank.org/calgrapes.

  • 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.

  • New Farm Bill May Incentivize On-Farm Ag Tech Innovations

    Just as the previous Farm Bill has supported farmers with cost-share programs like EQIP to improve their sustainability, the specialty crop sector of ag is pushing for the coming Farm Bill to support on-farm ag tech innovations in a similar way.  Watch this brief interview with California Fresh Fruit Association President Ian LeMay to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.

  • Farmers Cannot Bear the Burden of Record Inflating Costs Alone

    Among some of the top issues impacting the California fresh fruit industry, and all of the state’s agricultural industries for that matter, are record inflating production costs.  This was addressed at the recent annual conference of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA). Watch this brief interview with CFFA President Ian LeMay as he addresses this.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • California Table Grape & Plum Market Hurt by China Tariffs

    In the fresh fruit world, which commodities have been hit the hardest by the international trade dispute and what is the industry doing to overcome the situation?  Watch this brief interview with Ian LeMay from the California Fresh Fruit Association as he explains, based on his recent presentation at the annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, February 4-6 (Booth P1842).

  • California Fresh Fruit Association Names Ian Lemay New President

    (May 13, 2019 Fresno, CA) – Today, Randy Giumarra, the Chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) Board of Directors announced that Ian LeMay will serve as the new president of CFFA. LeMay will succeed GeorgeRadanovich, who has held the position since 2016 and will be leaving CFFA to promote sound ag labor policy inWashington, DC.

    Chairman Giumarra stated “Ian’s appointment is a reflection of our Board’s commitment to establishing long-term leadership for our industry.” Giumarra continued, “Our Board and I have worked closely with Ian over the past four years. We are confident in his abilities and look forward to his leadership. I’d also like to take thisopportunity to thank George for his time, leadership and impact that he has made over the last three years. George’sservice is greatly appreciated by our entire membership.”

    Ian LeMay

    LeMay has dedicated his career to supporting and advocating for the continued success of California agriculture. Since 2015, LeMay has served as CFFA’s Director of Member Relations and Communications. From 2011 to 2015, LeMay served as the District Director for Congressman Jim Costa who represents California’s 16th. Congressional District. As District Director, LeMay managed the Congressman’s district staff and advised theCongressman on a number of issues including agriculture, water and transportation. Prior to working for Congressman Costa, LeMay worked as a California Market Specialist for the Lindsay Corporation. LeMay is arecent graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 48).

    “I am humbled and appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve the members of the California Fresh Fruit Association in a new capacity,” said LeMay. “I came to the Association four years ago because I believe in its mission, deeply respect its history and see infinite potential in advocating for the permanent fresh fruit growers and shippers of California. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to observe two great Association leaders in Barry Bedwell and George Radanovich, and thank them for their commitment to bettering our industry. The challenges that face us are many. These have not been easy years for our industry, but I remainconfident in the future of California agriculture and our opportunity to advocate for meaningful policy with aunified voice.”

    LeMay will begin his tenure as CFFA President on June 1st. Ian and his wife Molly reside in Fresno with their two children, Emery Rose and Ellison James, and will welcome their third child this August.

    ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION

    For more than eighty (80) years the California Fresh Fruit Association has been the primary government relations organization serving the fresh fruit industry. It is a voluntary public policy organization that works on behalf of our members – growers, shippers, marketers and associates – on issues that specifically affect member commodities: fresh grapes, kiwis, pomegranates, cherries, blueberries, peaches, pears, apricots, nectarines, interspecific varieties, plums, apples and persimmons. It is the Association’s responsibility to serve as a liaison between regulatory and legislative authorities by acting as the unified voice of our members. The challenges are. countless for growers, shippers and marketers as they strive to remain viable in an ever-changing market. Increasing regulatory requirements make it difficult to flourish, regardless of the size of the operation.

    The Association’s dedicated staff advocates daily in the best interest of our members to ensure that regulators and legislators are using sound science and accurate information when considering laws or rules that will be imposedon industry members. However, aside from the variety of issues the Association works on, there is an important networking component. As each company has its own business interest, the membership as a whole shares acommon, vested interest in the long-term health of tree fruit, fresh grape and berry communities in California.