The relaunched site went live in June and has an expanded recipe collection as well as offering tips on the best way to store walnuts for optimum freshness. There’s health and nutrition information including a plant-based eating guide, as well as valuable information about the California walnut industry that provides mild tasting, premium walnuts from our orchards to UK tables. There’s an opportunity to sign up for one of the California Walnuts UK newsletters to keep in the know about the latest recipes, scientific findings and other valuable information.
The CWC’s strategy is to increase awareness of California Walnuts and educate both the trade and consumers about their quality, consistency and year-round availability. Consumers can access the site to find inspiration through recipes on how to incorporate walnuts into their daily life. It’s also the “go to” source for the latest information on health and nutrition related to walnuts including health research studies showing walnuts’ role as part of a healthy diet. Monthly updates with increased content will aim to stimulate user engagement. The trade section outlines activities offered to support various channels in increasing sales and utilization of walnuts, trade news and reports, case studies, information on how to contact California Walnut suppliers and the types of products offered, as well as how to contact the UK trade representatives for additional information.
To drive consumers, health care professionals and the trade to the website, press and social media activities will complement direct outreach to ensure further reach and engagement.
To read a round up of the recent California Walnut Commission activity in 2019, see the spring and early summer newsletter here.
US TV chef Amanda Freitag cooks with CA Walnuts at the London Produce show
CWC collaborated with the California Agricultural Export Council (CAEC) for the London Produce Show Exhibition which took which place in early June. The event provides trade exhibitors with direct access to a wide range of international produce buyers from the retail, foodservice and wholesale sectors.
Nick Richardson from The Garden, the CWC’s UK trade representative, commented “the link up with the CAEC provided an excellent platform to showcase California Walnuts with other great agricultural products originating from the state of California”.
The 2019 show was hosted by respected US TV chef Amanda Freitag. Amanda visited the CAEC booth, together with Ms Yael Lempert, US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, to sample the California Walnuts. Later in the day, Ms Freitag held a live cooking demo which featured California Walnuts in a Waldorf salad.
UK demand for CA Walnuts on the increase
The UK Importer, RM Curtis, trade market report commented that “The California Walnut report shows a continued trend of significantly higher domestic and export sales. While April was expected to be an active month, the numbers have surpassed all expectations. This trend looks likely to continue over the rest of the current crop season with California packers reporting strong existing and likely new demand over the rest of the summer and up to the harvest over September to October [with harvesting starting in late August].”
Meanwhile, as part of the California Walnut Commission’s active export marketing programmes, a number of initiatives during spring continued to inspire and encourage the UK food industry to use more California Walnuts.
The California Walnut Commission (CWC), established in 1987, represents the California walnut industry made up of over 4,800 growers and close to 100 handlers. The CWC is mainly involved in health research and export market development activities. More than 99% of the walnuts produced in U.S. are grown in the fertile soils of California. Internationally, California Walnuts supply two-thirds of the world’s walnut trade.
For further information on how to buy and use California Walnuts, please contact the California Walnut Commission.
