Oct 3, 2024

California Date Month planned

The first ever October California Date Month is planned for this year.

October is getting a lot sweeter as the California Date Commission announces the first-ever October National California Date Month.

Throughout the month, California dates and the hardworking agriculture community that brings them to the table plan to celebrate with activities and recognition. The National California Date Month will celebrate the bountiful harvest and showcase the taste, quality, versatility and heritage of California dates, according to a news release.

California’s date industry is a cornerstone of the state’s agricultural landscape, producing more than 85% of the dates grown in the U.S. California’s unique climate and rich soil make it the perfect place to grow superior dates renowned for their quality, taste, and nutritional benefits, according to the release.

The month will celebrate the delectable, nutritious, and highly versatile California dates as well as honor the hardworking farm workers who bring these sweet treats from the palm trees to plates across America and the world.

Leading up to and throughout October, several events and promotions are designed to help consumers discover the wonders of California dates, including a national consumer contest that began Sept. 10. Prizes include California dates, a private online cooking class hosted by brand ambassador and celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira, and a VIP experience at the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival.

Culinary experiences include restaurants and bars featuring date-inspired menus throughout the month.

Virtual Spotlights include chefs, mixologists and nutritionists online, providing valuable insights to consumers. Breakfast with Champions: A special event will honor the farmworkers whose labor and dedication are the backbone of the date industry.

“Dates are more than just a fruit; they are a symbol of the hard work and resilience of our agricultural communities,” Gordon Chuchian, chairman of the California Date Commission, said in the release. “This month-long celebration is a tribute to the dedication of our farm workers and the enduring legacy of date farming in California.”

Throughout the month of October, all aspects of California Dates, from their nutritional value and delicious recipes to their contribution to California’s agricultural richness and heritage will be celebrated with a variety of activities. The month promotes dates’ nutrition, its versatility in the kitchen, and rich heritage with farming skills passed down through generations, according to the release.

Dates have been cultivated in California since the early 1900s when farmers began planting date palms in the Coachella Valley. Over the years, the industry has grown and plays a vital role in the state’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs, from farm workers to distribution and retail, according to the release.

California Date Month is organized by the California Date Commission in collaboration with local date growers and producers.

Dates are grown conventionally and organically.

Based in Indio, California, the California Date Commission is a commodity board working on behalf of all date producers within the Coachella Valley to oversee the quality development of dates and date products. The organization provides field and nutrition research, regulatory support and generic marketing promotion.

Learn more about the month at National California Date Month web page.