Avocado Availability Expands

he California Avocado Commission’s (CAC) retail marketing directors (RMDs) maintain close contact with retailers and handlers throughout the season, helping to facilitate smooth inventory transitions to California avocados. TRetail distribution of California avocados began in January with small, local retailers showcasing Big Game promotions. In March and April, retail distribution expanded to retailers located within and beyond California, with more significant retail distribution from May to early summer as the volume of harvested fruit increased.

36 / From the Grove / Summer 2020 At press time, California avocados were available at:

• California retailers including: FoodMaxx Gelson’s Lucky Lunardi’s Markets Mercado Mi Tierra Board Mollie Stone’s of Directors Raley’s District 1 Member/Jessica Hunter Sprouts Member/ Ryan Rochefort-Vice Chairman Stater Bros. Alternate/Michael Perricone Whole Foods District 2 • (Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, , , Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Member/Charley Wolk Member/Ohannes Karaoghlanian , New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Alternate/John Cornell Pennsylvania, South Carolina, , Virginia)

• Hy-Vee (Illinois, , Kansas, Minnesota, , Nebraska, District 3 South Dakota, ) Member/John Lamb-Chairman Member/Robert Grether-Treasurer • (Oregon) Alternate/John Lloyd-Butler

• PCC Community Markets (Washington) District 4 • (Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin) Member/Ed McFadden Member/Jason Cole-Secretary • Sprouts (Arizona, California) Alternate/Doug O’Hara

• Sam’s Club (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New District 5 Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) Member/Salvador Dominguez • (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Member/Randy Douglas Alternate/Daryn Miller Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) Handlers The California avocado online store locator tool makes it simple for consumers to locate where they can find fresh California avocados. CAC quickly updates the Member/Gary Caloroso Member/Peter Shore online store locator to reflect changes in distribution ensuring consumers have the Alternate/Connor Huser most up-to-date information concerning the fruit’s availability. While most pro- duce promotions were on hold due to the coronavirus situation, when California Public Member avocado retail (and foodservice) promotions resume these also are updated in the Daniella Malfitano store locator tool. By maintaining communication with targeted retailers throughout the season and integrating that information with the Commission’s online store locator tool, CAC efficiently and effectively grows awareness of California avocados and en- To contact a CAC representative, please visit: courages consumers to visit retailers where the fresh fruit is readily available in CaliforniaAvocadoGrowers.com/Commission/your-representatives season.

Summer 2020 / From the Grove / 37