California Walnut Board & Commission Information

The California Walnut Board was established in 1948 and represents the interests of the 4800+ walnut growers and the nearly 100 handlers spread across California’s Central Valley. The Board is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers and is governed by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order. The Board promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through TV, print and digital ads, as well as public relations activities and educational programs. These efforts focus on California walnuts as a versatile and delicious ingredient in easy-to-prepare recipes, as well as a great option for snacking. The Board also provides funding for walnut production and post-harvest research. The Board has funded production research for over 50 years resulting in over 200 projects in the areas of orchard management, entomology, breeding, and plant pathology. The California Walnut Commission, established in 1987, is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers. 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) and is mainly involved in health research on the consumption of walnuts and export market development activities. Export marketing activities are conducted in 9 key target markets and one five-country region which educates consumers, the trade, and health professionals on the benefits of California walnuts. The Commission provides funding for scientific research projects that are focused on key areas of study, including heart health, cognition, cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, body weight/composition, reproductive health, nutrient and bioactive composition, and research methodology. More than 150 peer-reviewed articles report on California Walnut Commission-supported research, documenting well-established research outcomes. For more recipes, usage ideas, health news and information, and agricultural updates head to Walnuts.org!