The California Kiwifruit Commission has called on President Obama in a letter to “show his support and exercise strong leadership by asking US consumers and retailers to buy only California-grown kiwifruit”.
“We are asking President Obama to urge American consumers and retailers to buy California-grown kiwifruit,” explained in a press release T.A. Heckel, a California kiwifruit grower from Fresno County and chairman of the California Kiwifruit Commission.
“California kiwifruit farmers are facing tremendous threats due to imports from Italy and other countries. Now, more than ever, we need Americans to choose domestically grown-kiwifruit or we could be forced to lay people off and even go out of business.”
California farmers produced nearly 6m 7lb tray equivalents during the 2008 harvest season accounting for over 90 per cent of all kiwifruit produced in the US. The problem is that currently close to 30 percent of the crop still remains to be sold – a very high number for this late in the season.
The Kiwifruit Commission is hopeful that during these tough economic times the US consumer will understand how important their purchasing choices are in supporting local communities and that they will choose California-grown kiwifruit.
In the letter to the President the Commission said, “It is important that Americans take action to support the economy by purchasing locally produced goods whenever possible.
The reality is that the strength of our national economy is directly connected to the successes of the local community farmers and businesses, and to that end we request that you strongly support the purchase of American goods by consumers.
“Times are tough for many Americans, and what we are asking is for American consumers to make sure the kiwifruit they purchase are grown in California,” added Chris Zanobini, manager of the California Kiwifruit Commission. “We encourage consumers to ask their retailers for California grown kiwifruit.”
No comments yet