Grape commission affirmed by growers
Grape commission affirmed by growers
California's fresh grape growers affirmed the continuation of the California Table Grape Commission and its promotional programs for another five-year period. Kathleen Nave, president of the commission, announced the results of the two-month voting period.
Nearly 60 percent of the growers eligible to vote, representing more than 81 percent of the state's fresh grape volume, voted. Of those voting, nearly 80 percent of the growers by number and more than 67 percent by volume voted to continue funding the organization. Ms. Nave noted that this is the eighth favorable referendum conducted by the commission since its creation in 1968.
Gary Gipson, a grower from Dinuba and chairman of the commission, said that the vote shows the industry's appreciation for the past work of the commission and its confidence in the organization's ability to meet future industry needs.
"Through the years, the commission has helped our industry identify and manage critical issues, kept California grapes top-of-mind for consumers, expanded our presence at the retail level and coordinated the essential research we need to meet challenges from the vineyard to the table," Mr. Gipson said in a statement.
He added that the strong positive vote was a good indication of how important the commission is to the vitality of the state's fresh grape industry. "The vote shows that California's fresh grape growers understand how important the commission is to the viability of this industry," he said in the statement. "With work such as opening and maintaining new international markets, conducting research that shows the health benefits of fresh California grapes, and consistent promotion of California grapes at the retail level, the commission will remain a key component of our industry's success."
Nearly 60 percent of the growers eligible to vote, representing more than 81 percent of the state's fresh grape volume, voted. Of those voting, nearly 80 percent of the growers by number and more than 67 percent by volume voted to continue funding the organization. Ms. Nave noted that this is the eighth favorable referendum conducted by the commission since its creation in 1968.
Gary Gipson, a grower from Dinuba and chairman of the commission, said that the vote shows the industry's appreciation for the past work of the commission and its confidence in the organization's ability to meet future industry needs.
"Through the years, the commission has helped our industry identify and manage critical issues, kept California grapes top-of-mind for consumers, expanded our presence at the retail level and coordinated the essential research we need to meet challenges from the vineyard to the table," Mr. Gipson said in a statement.
He added that the strong positive vote was a good indication of how important the commission is to the vitality of the state's fresh grape industry. "The vote shows that California's fresh grape growers understand how important the commission is to the viability of this industry," he said in the statement. "With work such as opening and maintaining new international markets, conducting research that shows the health benefits of fresh California grapes, and consistent promotion of California grapes at the retail level, the commission will remain a key component of our industry's success."
