California Strawberry Commission


The California Strawberry Commission, is a state-chartered agency of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Established by the California State Legislature in 1993, the commission replaced the California Strawberry Advisory Board. The commission represents nearly 600 strawberry shippers, processors and growers within the state of California.
The commission is not funded by tax payers but by self-taxation or assessments on California strawberry growers. The amount assessed is approved annually by the commission board of directors. This assessment pays for the commission’s activities and projects.
The current president is Rick Tomlinson. He replaces Mark Murai, a third generation strawberry farmer from Orange County, California.

Activities and projects

The California Strawberry Commission focuses activities and projects in:
•Food Safety
•Trade Relations
•Marketing Communications
•Production and Nutrition Research
•Public Policy
Activities and projects are developed, approved and implemented under the authority of the commission’s board of directors.

Goals

The California Strawberry Commission’s stated vision is to be “the unified voice for a healthy California strawberry industry.” Their mission is “to shape a favorable environment that allows stakeholders in the California strawberry industry the opportunity to succeed.”