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California Strawberry
Commission
California is the nation’s leading producer
of strawberries. In 2001, growers harvested over 1.4 billion
pounds of strawberries, which accounted for 83 percent of the
country’s total fresh
and frozen strawberry production. Strawberries flourish in the
warm, sunny days and cool, foggy nights in the coastal growing
regions found in San Diego, Orange County, Oxnard, Santa Maria
and Watsonville/Salinas. The western ocean exposure provides
one the of best places in the world to grow strawberries. Strawberries
have been commercially grown in California since the turn of
the century. Strawberries are a great source of Vitamin C, folic
acid, potassium and fiber.
The California Strawberry Commission
is a state-charted agency that represents the 600 strawberry
growers, shippers and processors in California. State marketing
orders and commissions are formed by legislation that authorizes
self-taxation by farmers. This self-tax or assessment funds Strawberry
Commission activities and projects. California Strawberry Commission
activities fall into three areas: overseeing and conducting agricultural
research; promoting California strawberries through marketing
programs targeting consumers, retail trade, foodservice operators
and export markets; and issues management.
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