The California Strawberry Commission served as an official partner of the 38th annual California Strawberry Festival in Ventura, Calif., which attracted more than 50,000 strawberry lovers celebrating the fruit, according to a news release.
The festival pays tribute to California’s $3 billion strawberry industry, which produces 90% of the nation’s strawberries, the commission said.
Throughout the two-day event, staff engaged with hundreds of visitors at the commission’s interactive booth where attendees lined up for the 360-degree California strawberries photo booth experience, numerous giveaways and a social media contest, the release said. The booth also provided an opportunity for commission staff provide festival participants with educational information on the strawberry industry’s sustainability efforts and its positive impact on local communities.
“The California Strawberry Festival is always a delightful highlight of our year. This strawberry growing community, like many others along the California coast, is enthusiastic about sharing their love for strawberries, often dressing head-to-toe in strawberry gear, and indulging in all the sweet and savory ways strawberries can be enjoyed,” said Jodi Reinman, senior public relations manager for the commission. “It’s our honor to represent more than 400 strawberry farmers, shippers, and processors at the festival and bring to life their dedication to sustainably growing the best strawberries in the world.”
In addition to hosting its own booth, the commission said it presented a $5 “build-your-own” Strawberry Shortcake Experience, with all proceeds donated to local nonprofits and community organizations. It also provided free daily shuttle services to approximately 30,000 attendees coming to and from the festival.
An estimated 1.5 million strawberries were consumed at the festival, according to the release.
The California Strawberry Commission says its programs create opportunities for success through groundbreaking programs focused on workforce training, strawberry production research and nutrition research. Through science-based information and education, it delivers the good news about sustainable farming practices that benefit the health of people, farms and communities, the release said.
