California Prunes have a history of more than 150 years.
After its initial development, the industry first organized under the Dried Fruit Association of California in 1908. The association oversaw sales contracts, transportation, pure food laws and legislation. As the industry grew it needed an organization specifically focused on California Prunes. Thus, the State Marketing Order for California Prunes was established in January 1952 and the California Prune Board has been operating continuously ever since. California produces approximately 90 per cent of the United States’ supply and 40 per cent of the world’s supply of prunes and California Prunes are delivered to more than 60 countries around the world.
Our Mission
The California Prune Board was established in 1952 to represent growers and handlers under the authority of the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture. California is the world’s largest producer of prunes with orchards across 14 counties in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Promoting a lifetime of wellness through the enjoyment of California Prunes, the organization leads the premium prune category with generations of craftsmanship supported by California’s leading food safety and sustainability standards.
This is facilitated by the following activities:
- Generic Promotion — Communicate differentiated benefits and encourage large-scale acceptance of California Prunes. This includes both U.S. and international programs that encompass advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and education.
- Research — This includes market research for measurement; production and processing research to improve grower efficiency and product quality and nutrition research to identify positioning opportunities and value messages.
- Trade Policy — Protect the interests of the California Prune industry globally through coordination with the trade, consumers and government agencies.
- Issues Management — Protect the health of the industry by keeping it apprised of issues that could impact it and being prepared for crisis management in an emergency.
Sustainability:
For over 100 years, California Prune growers have been cultivating responsible, safe, and environmentally friendly practices for the land they steward, the people they employ, the markets they feed, and the communities where they reside. Under robust federal and state requirements, the California Prune industry works closely with academia and government to navigate changing dynamics in climate, farming, and the global marketplace to consistently produce a premium product reaching over 50 countries.
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to farming, California Prune growers practice sound scientific orchard techniques and ecosystem-based strategies to produce a healthy, safe food that conserves natural resources and sustains the future of the prune industry for generations to come. This includes a commitment to sustainable growing practices, such as reducing water use, improving soil health, protecting pollinator health, and utilizing renewable energy, as well as investing in research and innovation for the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
The California Prune Board is a recipient of Market Access Program (MAP) funds from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, colour, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the California Prune Board at (916) 749-3442.
CONTACT US
For more information please contact:
CAprunes@harbingerideas.com