My food story— —August —’24 24 COOPERATORS For over a century, California Prune growers have responsibly produced premium prunes. Expert craftsmanship in the orchards, combined with rich soils, lush valleys, and abundant sunshine, results in delicious, naturally sweet, and nutritious dried fruit. The diverse family farms in the California Prune industry share a commitment to continual improvement and sustainable farming practices. California Prune growers have long cultivated responsible, safe, and environmentally friendly practices for their land, employees, markets, and communities. As part of their sustainability efforts, California Prune growers and handlers support the environment and local communities while future-proofing the industry. This includes using precise micro-irrigation systems to reduce water usage, cover crops to maintain nutrient-dense soil, improve irrigation efficiency, and maintain riparian habitats to control pests. Investments in solar energy also help decrease carbon emissions in daily operations. Prunes offer versatile culinary applications. Enjoy them as a convenient snack or incorporate them into sweet and savory dishes. In baked goods, prunes add natural sweetness and moistness. They can be stewed or poached for compotes and jams. In savory cooking, prunes enhance the flavor of meats and poultry, with their natural sugars caramelizing during cooking. The California Prune Board invests in nutrition research, guided by a Nutrition Advisory Panel, to provide scientific evidence of prunes’ health benefits. Research shows that snacking on prunes can help control appetite and support weight management. The Board promotes the versatility and quality of California Prunes globally, highlighting their commitment to farming and the versatility of prunes as both a snack and ingredient. Since 1910, Blue Diamond Growers has supported over 3,000 almond farmers, ensuring market stability and competitiveness. Initially founded as the California Almond Growers Exchange, this grower-owned cooperative protected farmers from speculative pricing and market volatility. Today, we continue to support our members, family farms, and communities while delivering top-quality products globally. Our farmers innovate continuously, enhancing almond growth through research and sustainable practices. The Orchard Stewardship Incentive Program promotes efficient irrigation, pollinator habitat enhancement, and carbon footprint reduction. These efforts support biodiversity and the local economy, ensuring that our farming practices benefit both the environment and our communities. Blue Diamond offers a wide range of almond products to over 100 countries, achieving a leadership position as the world’s favorite almond brand. Our high food safety standards, constant innovation, and dedicated growers ensure superior products. We have invested in top-tier equipment, technology, and safety standards, earning world-class ratings in food safety and recognition as one of the best-engineered plants globally. Innovation is key to our legacy. In 2013, we established the world’s first almond innovation center, creating exciting new products like Almond Breeze, the first commercially available almond milk. Our products now extend to protein powders, almond oil, and the health and beauty space. Our innovators work daily to offer the best to our consumers and customers, continuously expanding the versatility and appeal of almonds. Blue Diamond almonds are versatile and nutritious, rich in Vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and monounsaturated fats. Enjoy them daily as snacks or ingredients in your favorite dishes. Blue Diamond supports family farms, consumers, and communities through high-quality, heart-healthy almonds, bringing their benefits to kitchens worldwide. Whether straight from the can or used in culinary creations, Blue Diamond almonds offer a delicious way to energize your day. CALIFORNIA PRUNE BOARD Grown sustainably for over 100 years Blue Diamond offers a wide range of almond products to over 100 countries, achieving a leadership position as the world’s favorite almond brand As part of their sustainability efforts, California Prune growers and handlers support the environment and local communities while futureproofing the industry BLUE DIAMOND GROWERS A legacy of supporting farmers and delivering highquality products globally
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