California Raisin and Brie Dessert Quesadillas

pictured on front cover

Ingredients

21/2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

11/2 Tablespoons honey

8 whole grain flour tortillas (6 to 8-inch)

7 Ounces Brie, cut into small pieces

1 Cup California Raisins

1 Cup glazed walnuts

Powdered sugar; for garnish

Mint leaves, chiffonade; for garnish

Procedure

Combine butter and honey in small bowl and mix until smooth. Set aside.

Heat 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Spread one side of each tortilla with honey-butter and place, buttered side down, in skillet. Sprinkle 1/8 of Brie, 2 tablespoons raisins, and 2 tablespoons walnuts, in that order, over half of tortilla. Fold remaining half over and cook until bottom is lightly browned and crisp. Turn and brown remaining side, cooking 3 to 6 minutes on each side. Remove to individual serving plate and repeat for remaining tortil-las.

To serve, cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges; dust with confectioners’ sugar and garnish with mint.

Recipe from LoveYourRaisins.com

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Table of Contents

Statement from the Chairperson 2

Background of Annual Report 3

Marketing Order Requirements 3

Summary of all Marketing Objectives 4

2017/2018 Activities 5

Tradeshow 8

Research 8

Agency Background 10

Executive Committee 10

Board and Alternate Members 11

Raisin Statistics 12

Financials 14

CDFA Assessment Rate for 2018/2019 16

2018/2019 Activities 17

Staff Contact Information 19

This 2017/2018 Annual Report is produced by the

staff of the California Raisin Marketing Board (CRMB).

Staff members contributing to this report are: Debbie

Powell, President and General Manager; Larry Blagg, Senior Vice President of Marketing; Melinda McAllister, Marketing Specialist; and Dori Williams,

Director of Operations.

This annual report is distributed by mail to the

2,000 California raisin growers. It is also online at www.LoveYourRaisins.com

Additional copies may be requested by contacting the CRMB, 2445 Capitol Street,

Suite 200, Fresno, CA 93721. Contact us by phone (559)

248-0287 or info@raisins.org.

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Statement from the Chairperson Dear Growers of California Raisins, For more than 100 years, the San Joaquin Valley in Central California has successfully been growing one of the most naturally sweet, nutritious and delicious fruit products available to consumers – California Raisins. As the premier national dried fruit, California Raisins are an appealing anytime snack and a superb ingredient in a wide assortment of baked goods, main dishes, trail mixes, sauces, appetizers and cereals. We have assessed a $4-dollar assessment while we await the final disposition of the litigation. We feel this is vital so we once again can restore the boards responsibility of marketing California raisins. With very little funds to continue activities the CRMB office has worked diligently to keep our online presence as fresh as possible on all of our social media platforms. We are also continuing our outreach to many of the government outlets and working closely with nutritionists and procurement officers at the USDA. Regarding the Sunpreme Research Program, unfortunately, we suffered a set-back when the research station misapplied an herbicide that severely damaged the young vines. The future of these vines is still unknown at this time. As you know, with many health trends in the US leaning towards all-natural products that can be labeled as non-GMO and no sugar added we are poised to make headway as the leader in the dried fruit space. Thank you for your support and best wishes for a successful 2019.

Jeff Milinovich CRMB Chairperson

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Background of Annual Report State of California – Department of Food and Agriculture Marketing Order for California Raisins, Mission Statement: To create a positive marketing environment within which the industry can collectively expand the worldwide demand for California Raisins. This is facilitated by:

Identifying new markets, product and program opportunities through market research

Conducting market development activities to improve the demand

for all categories of raisin usage, including ingredient usage and for retail package, both branded and private label

Coordinating an international marketing program with the Raisin

Administrative Committee that may consist of both generic and branded activities including advertising, sales promotion and public relations

Conducting production and processing research to improve the

quality and functionality of the industry’s products

Representing the interest of all segments of the California Raisin industry by building positive relationships with the food trade, consumers and government agencies

Evaluating the effectiveness of Board programs through advertising

tracking studies, econometric modeling or other types of research Marketing Order Requirements Pursuant to Article IV, section F of the Marketing Order, this report contains:

An overview of all marketing activities from 8/1/2017 to 7/31/2018

2017/2018 research projects

2017/2018 tradeshow and events

2018/2019 activities

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Summary of all Marketing Objectives Pursuant to Article IV, section F of the Marketing Order for California Raisins, below is a summary of all efforts implemented to measure the degree to which the stated objectives have been achieved: Objective 1: Stimulate marketplace demand for raisins. Response: A number of platforms were used to stimulate demand for California Raisins including:

Local events and social media

Health & Nutrition - Today’s Dietitian Symposium influencers and social media

CRMB’s web site - LoveYourRaisins.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

All aspects of promoting demand for California Raisins were incorporated into each of the platforms listed above for the marketing year 2017/2018. Objective 2: Develop reportable data regarding health and nutrition properties of raisins that can be used to promote raisin demand. Response: The CRMB continues with a joint health research study with the California Dried Plum Board, the California Date Commission, and the California Fig Advisory Board together with funds provided by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council (INC) for a research study titled “The Effect of Bioactives in Dried Plums, Figs, Dates, and Raisins compared with a high Carbohydrate Snack on Risk Factors for Cardiometabolic Disease” by Penny Kris-Etherton, Pennsylvania State University. The status of this study as of February 1, 2019: all participants were due to finish by the end of January when data analysis begins. An abstract titled “Dried Fruit and Vascular Health: A Randomized Crossover Trial” has been submitted to the American Society of Nutrition’s Nutrition 2019 Tradeshow, June 8-11 in Baltimore. For background on the study, please call the office at 559-248-0287. Objective 3: Undertake crop research projects that improve efficiencies, boost quality and/or deliver other attributes that enhance raisin appeal.

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Response: The Board approved funds for continued research on the varietal, Sunpreme, titled “Performance of Sunpreme on Different Rootstocks and Trellis Systems.” Please read Sunpreme report on page 9. Objective 4: Assure producer and industry stakeholders understand the value of CRMB activities. Response: CRMB staff encourages industry members to become familiar with the CRMB web site, social media platforms and to provide raisin farming content to be used on social media platforms. Objective 5: Safeguard the stakeholder’s assets and intellectual property of the CRMB. Response: CDFA continues to review the proper registration of CRMB intellectual property to protect CRMB’s most valuable assets. Trademark protection is established with the focus centered on our character and circle logo. Objective 6: Assure CRMB is properly staffed, structured and supported. Response: With the discontinuance of the grower assessments, the CRMB staff remains downsized to continue those activities deemed necessary by the Board.

2017/2018 Activities Health and Nutrition Melinda McAllister, CRMB’s Marketing Specialist, attended the Spring Symposium for Today’s Dietitian in Austin, TX where over 700 younger dietitians gathered to discuss nutrition issues. Melinda staffed the California Raisins’ booth, handed out California Raisin healthy recipe cards, along with the LMARC II peer reviewed California Raisin research study – the First-of-Its-Kind Research which shows California Raisins Positively Impact Diabetic Nutrition, along with other research on raisins and Cardiovascular Health, Satiety, Athletic Performance and Dental Health. The audience of millennial registered dietitians want science-based information and truly care about how food affects their patient’s health.

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USDA Dried Fruit Trade Show In November 2017, the USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Services (AMS) held the first ever Dried Fruit Tradeshow in Washington D.C. The goal of this event was to educate the audience (USDA Foods Program administration and agencies that support commodity procurement) on the uniqueness of each dried fruit and how they can assist when volume buyers purchase USDA products such as raisins, dried plums, dried cherries, dried cranberries, and dried figs. The goal of ensuring customer satisfaction by the end buyer of California Raisins was emphasized. Melinda McAllister and Larry Blagg presented the benefits of California Raisins such as:

• Naturally Sweet • Dried-by-the-Sun • Contain No-Added Sugar • Fat & Cholesterol Free • Low in Sodium • Contain Dietary Fiber 7% DV • Contain Iron 4% DV • Contain Potassium 6% DV

CRMB Chairman, Jeff Milinovich also attended to answer questions and round out the CRMB team. We showcased raisins samples from packers that participate in the USDA Foods Available List program and we shared raisin recipes with the attendees including the USDA’s Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Jeff Ibach, pictured below on the left with our Chairperson.

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Local Public Relations Events The CRMB participated in the Caruthers Fair, a Back-to-School night, a Future Farmers of America event in Linden, CA, a recipe contest, and with local partnerships. CRMB staff, RAC staff, raisin grower and RAC Chairman, Monte Schutz and his wife Kim, participated in the Caruthers Fair in September 2017. The crowd loved the California Dancing Raisin dancing in the back of the 1952 Ford Truck while staff walked along side handing out delicious raisin snack packs to the crowd. CRMB staff continued to push raisin content on social media including Instagram which was started in the fall of 2017 with the California Dancing Raisin making a Back-to-School appearance at John Wash Elementary School. In April of 2018, staff partnered with Tree of Life Bakery owner Carol Ocheltree and her staff to celebrate National Raisin Week. Customers who purchased a food item containing California Raisins were given a Raisin Plushie. It was a great turnout of all ages - downtown employees, kids, and parents eating California Raisins as a snack, in chicken salad, in muffins, in granola (properly named “Fresnola”) and in dessert. The celebration of Raisin Week in Fresno was also promoted on Fox26 KMPH with three live television segments with Kim Stephens and Kopi Sotiropulos, the staff of The Tree of Life Bakery and the California Dancing Raisin. The staff demonstrated how to make their tasty “Fresnola” and two additional raisin dishes.

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CRMB partnered with California Grown (California Grown is all about connecting Californians with the people who grow and produce their food) and featured a millennial raisin farmer on California Grown’s Facebook page which has 122,000 followers. Thanks to Conner Chooljian for representing the future of growing California Raisins. CRMB staff also participated in the annual California Raisin Day at Fresno State’s Gibson Farm Market.

Visitors enjoyed California Raisin snack packs, raisin recipes and purchased raisins. As always, the California Dancing Raisin posed for customers and was a hit with the crowd. LoveYourRaisins.com The California Raisins continues to attract customers looking for raisin recipes with the new site design that was completed in 2016/2017 by Digital Attic. Additionally, the social media feed integration keeps the site looking updated with the Instagram raisin content postings. Tradeshow Today’s Dietitian Symposium, Austin, TX Research Health and Nutrition Research Disease Prevention Dr. Penny M. Kris-Etherton, The Effect of Bioactives in Dried Plums, Figs, Dates, and Raisins Compared with a High Carbohydrate Snack on Risk Factors for Cardiometabolic Disease. Crop Production Breeding, Germplasm and Evaluation: Matthew Fidelibus, Performance of Sunpreme on Different Rootstocks and Trellis Systems.

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Sunpreme Raisin Varietal Research Sunpreme is a raisin grape varietal that was developed by now retired USDA Dr. David Ramming. It has desirable characteristics, such as naturally drying on the vine once it has ripened, allowing for mechanical harvest and pruning. In 2014, under an agreement with the USDA and funding from the CRMB, the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center established a 2-acre plot of Sunpreme vines to determine how the variety would respond on different root stocks and different trellis systems. The first mechanical harvest of Sunpreme was conducted in 2017 with promising results. Unfortunately, the Sunpreme research program suffered a set-back due to a misapplication of an herbicide in early Spring 2018 that caused severe damage to the young vines and a suspension of the research program. The health of the vines is being monitored, but it is unknown at this time if they will recover. This incident is not reflective of the potential Sunpreme has for the industry and we hope to resume this research or other similar crop research programs in the future. Raisin growers consider projects like this a high priority, advancing the industry toward further mechanization of their raisin harvest. Contact the following nurseries for availability: Duarte Nursery, Inc. Sunridge Nurseries, Inc. Wonderful Nurseries

Alma Cruz Tom Bracken., C.O.O. Matthew McMillan 1555 Baldwin Road 441 Vineland Road 27920 McCombs Road Hughson, CA 95326 Bakersfield, CA 93307 Wasco, CA 93280 (209) 531-0351 (661) 363-8463 (661) 758-4777

(559) 365-1996

Sales@duartenursery.com Tom@sridge.net Matt.McMillan@wonderful.com

www.duartenursery.com www.sunridgenurseries.com

www.wonderfulnurseries.com

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Agency Background Digital Attic of Clovis, CA offers an in-house staff of highly skilled graphic designers, programmers and developers, as well as videographers and photographers which enable them to produce superior products. Troy Vasquez, CEO, and his team executed the re-design of LoveYourRaisins.com last year and developed six raisin recipe videos this year. Troy’s team continues to host and provide monthly maintenance for the site. The California Raisin Marketing Board Executive Committee Term: 2017 – 2019 Chairperson Mr. Jeff Milinovich Vice Chairperson Mr. Jon Marthedal Secretary Mr. Dwayne Cardoza Treasurer Dr. Nindy Sandhu

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The California Raisin Marketing Board Members & Alternates Term: June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2019 The CRMB staff recognizes the CRMB Board members and alternates for their service:

MEMBERS ALTERNATES

Jane Asmar Dennis Housepian

Michael Bedrosian Courtney Sarabian

Dwayne Cardoza Jerry Rai

Chad Chooljian Ryan Bedrosian

Edward Fanucchi E.G. Huter III

Ron Kazarian Steve Spate

Harry Overly Jackie Grazier

Jon Marthedal Rick Stark

Jeff Milinovich Mark Delano

Victor Sahatdjian Manuel Medeiros

Richard Sahatjian Richard Crowe

Nindy Sandhu Tomo Naito

Kim Schutz Monte Schutz

David Shamp Kuldip Chatha Sonet Van Zyl, Public Member

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Comparative Data as Compiled and Released by the Raisin Administrative Committee

 CALIFORNIA RAISIN ACQUISITIONS (SWEATBOX TONS) 

 

2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  2016/17  

2017/18 

Natural Seedless  

364,794  303,890 336,697 281,496  220,583

Dipped Seedless  

4,925  3,947 2,926 2,348  2,021

Golden Seedless  

21,402  19,128 21,110 20,761  19,303

Zante Currant  

2,885  3,084 3,091 2,569  2,136

Sultana  

58  59 33 27  42

Muscat  

0   24 0 0  0

Monukka  

85  73 70 73  40

Other Seedless  

10,469  13,865 11,065 10,839  10,338

Other Seedless Sulfured 

 530  424 457 885  417

Total  

405,148  344,494 375,449 318,998  254,880

    

CALIFORNIA NATURAL SEEDLESS RAISIN ACQUISITIONS (PACKED TONS)  

   2013/14*  2014/15*  2015/16*  2016/17  2017/18 

Natural Seedless Deliveries to Handlers  347,284 268,568 312,455 267,984  210,299

 

*Numbers have been revised due to staff’s calculation errors.    

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CALIFORNIA NATURAL SEEDLESS RAISIN SHIPMENTS (PACKED TONS) 

   2013/14  2014/15  2015/16 2016/17  2017/18 

Domestic & Canada Shipments  202,809 189,725 182,140 196,303  162,078

Exports  142,757 111,407 98,523 108,503  88,098

Total Shipments  345,566 301,132 280,663 304,806  250,176

  

  *Historically, a portion of China exports are transshipped directly to Japan.   

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Statement of Activities and Governmental Fund Revenue, Expenditures

and Changes in Fund Balances, Year Ended July 31, 2018

REVENUE Interest $ 7,730

Total Revenue 7,730 EXPENSES General and Administrative:

Insurance 21,245

Rent 77,838

Utilities 7,701

Telephone 3,554

Postage 5,294

Office Supplies 1,530

Repairs & Maintenance 1,771

Memberships & Surveys 71

Consulting - HR 306

Consulting - Trademark Registration 293

Auditing Fees 8,900

Equipment Lease 4,579

Travel - Office 3,069

Travel - Committee 558

Miscellaneous Activities 2,685

Bank Charges 4,361

Software/Programming 1,837

Legal Fees/Litigation 10,260

Product Samples 2,498

Marketing Branch 16,688

Support Services 211,188

Equipment Reimbursement 9,000

Total General and Administrative Expenses 395,226

 

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Advertising, Public Relations and Publicity

Website Development & Maintenance 9,152

Public Relations 13,750

Trade Show/Event Marketing

Local Events 1,341

Health Trade Shows 16,129

Research

Crop Research 19,725

Total Marketing Activities 60,097 Total Expenditures 455,323 Excess Revenue over (under) Expenditures (447,593) Fund Balance / Net Assets:

Beginning of Year 1,273,116

End of Year $ 825,523

Statement of Activities and Governmental Fund Revenue, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balances, Year Ended July 31, 2018

(continued)

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2018/2019 Activities

1. Continue postings on Social Media

2. Continue updating LoveYourRaisins.com 3. Attend National Nutrition Event

4. Attend Today’s Dietitian Symposium

5. Partner with select Central Valley events

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CRMB Staff Contact Information Debbie Powell President and General Manager debbie@raisins.org Larry Blagg Senior Vice President of Marketing larry@raisins.org Dori Williams Director of Operations dori@raisins.org Melinda McAllister Marketing Specialist melinda@raisins.org

California Raisin Marketing Board 2445 Capitol Street, Suite 200, Fresno, CA 93721 (559)248-0287 info@raisins.org. For delicious recipes and more, visit LoveYourRaisins.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram