The California Table Grape Commission is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Karen Ross, California Department of Food and Agriculture secretary, recently commemorated the milestone by presenting the commission with a resolution on its service to the state.
Among its accomplishments, according to the resolution, the grape commission “has remained dedicated to its purpose of creating demand for the state’s fresh grape crop and in so doing has fostered an environment that allowed a disparate group of small growers producing 27 million boxes of fresh grapes for U.S. consumers only to grow into an industry that ships approximately 110 million boxes to 60 countries with a crop value of $1.8 billion.”
During the July 26 celebration, Dominick Bianco of Anthony Vineyards, Bakersfield, Calif., was recognized for his service on the first board as a commissioner from 1968-71, and his continued service since 1991, according to a news release.
The commission also confirmed the 2018 crop estimate at 114.6 million 19-pound boxes. Commissioners heard reports on the group’s promotions in the U.S., Canada and export markets.
