I N D U S T R Y O V E R V I E WCALIFORNIA WALNUTS

The California Walnut Board and California Walnut Commission promote walnut nutrition research and market to consumers, importers and traders, foodservice, industrial, and health professionals around the globe to communicate the benefits of incorporating walnuts into daily diets.

The Board and Commission represent the California walnut industry, made up of nearly 100 handlers and over 4,800 growers. Established in 1948, the California Walnut Board is governed by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order and funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers. The Board promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity and educational programs and also provides funding for walnut production and post-harvest research.

The California Walnut Commission, established in 1987, is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers and is mainly involved in health research and export market development activities. The Commission is an agency of the State of California that works in concurrence with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

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ABOUT US

Walnuts from California have an appealing color and mild flavor demanded by consumers as well as food and beverage manufacturers.

California walnuts are grown and processed to some of the highest food safety and agricultural growing standards in the world.

The California walnut industry has the ability to meet a wide variety of customer and country specifications.

Orchards dedicated to growing only walnuts, along with investments in agricultural practices, provide high quality crops from year to year.

The California walnut industry is a leader in production research, developing and testing technologies for the future of walnut farming.

Most walnut orchards are owned and operated by families who have been in the walnut business for several generations.

California is known for its ideal climate with an average of more than 300 days of sunshine per year.

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THE CALIFORNIA DIFFERENCEv

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The walnut was first cultivated in the late 1700s in California by the Franciscan fathers. Unlike today’s walnuts, these early varieties, known as “mission walnuts,” were small with hard shells, and flourished in the Mediterranean-like climate zones of California.

CALIFORNIA HISTORYThe first commercial plantings began in 1867 when Joseph Sexton, an orchardist and nurseryman in the Santa Barbara County town of Goleta, planted English walnuts.

For several years, walnuts were predominantly planted in the southern areas of California. Luther Burbank is credited with early research in California walnut cultivation, and many of today’s improved cultivars are descendants of these early plantings.

Today, the heart of California walnut production is located in the Central Valley area where there are deep, fertile soils and the perfect climate that provide ideal growing conditions. Through the industry’s commitment to 50 years of production research – pre, during and post-harvest – new tools have been provided to improve irrigation, pest control methods, orchard management, breeding and plant pathology resulting in greater yields.

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CALIFORNIA ORIGIN

It takes 4-5 years

for a newly planted tree to

reach its first commercial harvest.

Walnut Tonnage by County

More than 50,000 tons per year

10,000 to 50,000 tons per year

Less than 10,000 tons per year

More than 99% of walnuts grown in the United States come from California’s 350,000 bearing acres of orchards dedicated to growing only walnuts.

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WHERE DO CALIFORNIA WALNUTS COME FROM?

Environmental Stewardship

Food Safety

Economic Health People & Community

Sustainable Nutrition/ Human Health

Walnut growers set the stage for producing a safe, wholesome product by following established “Best Practices” in the orchards known as Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), which comply with the Produce Safety regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Similarly, throughout the shelling process, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) rules established by the FDA under FSMA Preventive Controls are stringently followed. Specifically, shelled walnuts are subjected to rigorous quality control inspections by each handler and tested again by the Dried Fruit Association (DFA) of California. Once the kernels pass inspections, each lot number is certified compliant to established USDA Standards. These practices ensure walnuts are produced under the cleanest manufacturing conditions.

SUSTAINABILITYTo the California walnut industry, sustainability means carrying forward a mindfulness and responsibility to the health of water, air and soil around us along with the well-being of the people our business touches each day. The walnut industry is committed to continuous improvement through five key pillars: Environmental Stewardship, Sustainable Nutrition/Human Health, People & Community, Food Safety and Economic Health.

Five Pillars Of Sustainability

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BEST PRACTICES

2.5GRAMSALA

WALNUTSPECANSALMONDSPEANUTSPISTACHIOS

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. fdc.nal.usda.gov.

The ONLY Nut with an Excellent Source of OMEGA-3 ALA

Omega-3s are essential fatty acids critical to various body processes. The body can only obtain these necessary fatty acids through food.

Institutions & Universities

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Current Projects

Countries

55+ 25+11175+

For more than 25 years, California Walnuts has been a leader in scientific research to gain a better understanding and knowledge of the nutritional value of walnuts and explore the role of walnuts in a healthy diet.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Y An excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid (2.5g)

Y 4 grams of protein

Y 2 grams of fiber

NUTRIENT PROFILEOne ounce (28g) of walnuts is a powerhouse of nutrients for optimum health, including: (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)

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A QUARTER CENTURY OF HEALTH RESEARCH

For More Information:

W A L N U T S . O R G

California Walnut Board and Commission101 Parkshore Drive, Suite 250, Folsom, CA 95630

Phone: +1-916-932-7070 Email: info@walnuts.org

Fax: +1-916-932-7071

For more than 7,000 years, people have been eating walnuts and enjoying not only their flavor, but the myriad of health benefits they offer. This amazing tree nut can be consumed in its natural form straight from the tree or transformed through seasonings, cooking, baking and blending.

It’s an ideal choice for today’s consumer searching for plant-based options, natural ingredients and a truly flavorful experience. Walnuts are the perfect ingredient for innovative sauces, spreads, baked goods, deli cases and even meat substitutes. The added value walnuts provide are endless for retail, food and beverage manufacturing, restaurant menus and consumer tables.

WHY WALNUTS