What To Know About the New Walnut Alliance of California

A group of walnut industry members has announced the launch of the Walnut Alliance of California, a new organization with a mission to promote a stable and profitable marketing environment for walnuts from California.

“For too many years, walnut growers have faced prices well below levels that are profitable,” says Donald Norene, a walnut grower from Rio Oso, CA. “We don’t believe this is sustainable or beneficial for anyone in the industry. This year, California is expecting to see a significant improvement in pricing with excellent quality, reduced acreage, a lower crop estimate, prospects of emerging export markets and solid marketing campaigns being implemented by the Walnut Board and Commission. Now is the time for us to take advantage of these opportunities.”

The Walnut Alliance of California is loosely modeled after the Almond Alliance, which has provided tremendous value for California almond farmers and performs activities on behalf of the almond industry that are not allowed through its federal marketing order, the Almond Board of California.

Like the Almond Alliance, the Walnut Alliance of California will operate as a non-profit association with voluntary members who will pay a fee based on their size. The Walnut Alliance will be comprised of walnut growers, handlers, hullers, and other businesses associated with the California walnut industry.

“A primary objective of the organization is to assist the Walnut Board and Commission with the excellent work they are already doing on a number of fronts,” adds Norene, who is among the group leading the formation of the new organization. “One of our first actions is to establish a federal Political Action Committee, which is something mandatory commodity programs are not allowed to do. Our plan is to raise funds that will help efforts to fight for fair regulations and trade policy on behalf of California walnut growers.”

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Additionally, the Walnut Alliance intends to focus on increasing grower returns and will be taking over the organization formerly known as the Walnut Bargaining Association.

“Our vision is that California walnut growers, marketers and handlers are profitable and conduct business in a transparent manner to the benefit of all segments of the industry,” said Aaron Martella of Grower Direct Nut Company which grows, processes, and markets walnuts in Hughson and who will be serving on the Board of the new Walnut Alliance. “We believe this new  organization will allow us to address several issues that are impacting growers, handlers, hullers, suppliers and the entire supply chain.”

The Walnut Alliance of California is embarking on an outreach and educational effort to inform the industry about the new organization and encourage membership.

For more information, visit walnutalliance.org.