IRVINE, CA - June is known for many things: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National Barbecue Month, National Salad Month, and, for the 10^th year, California Avocado Month. The California Avocado Commission (CAC) first observed June as the official avo-centric holiday 10 years ago—and it is eagerly looking forward to continuing this long-standing tradition with the help of Southern California-native Chef Nyesha Arrington.

“June is in the heart of California avocado season when there is peak availability,” said Jan DeLyser, Commission Vice President of Marketing. “We’re proud that this is our tenth year celebrating California Avocado Month and working with Chef Arrington and others to help push the incremental avocado sales that accompany the season.”

As an ode to the past 10 years, the Commission has enlisted the culinary talents of Chef Arrington to create two delicious and seasonal recipes that prominently feature California avocados, which are grown by about 3,000 California avocado growers with groves from San Diego to Monterey.

Tapping into the global cookbook of techniques and flavors, Chef Arrington draws inspiration from art and her African American and Korean background. Arrington also has been celebrated throughout her career for using farm-fresh and locally and responsibly sourced ingredients—the perfect partner to craft customized dishes for this celebratory anniversary.

“It’s hard narrowing down the recipes when California avocados have countless possibilities! However, I love when they are paired with complementing flavors,” Arrington said. “These California avocados definitely hold their own by leveling up any dish and giving an extra wow factor, making it a California chef’s key ingredient.”

Two new produce-rich recipes starring California avocados were created, perfect for the summer season:

• California Avocado Crab & Tuna Stack - a layered stack of California avocados, crab, Ahi tuna, heirloom tomatoes; English cucumber, and spices
• Grilled California Avocado & Peach Salad - grilled fruits are combined on a bed of arugula and crispy quinoa with a tangy and delicious pistachio-arugula vinaigrette

In addition to advertising and consumer public relations activities, noted the release, the Commission activity in June will include email outreach to nearly 200,000 dedicated California avocado fans as well as social media support. Dietitians Mascha Davis, MPH, RDN, will have an Instagram story with a giveaway on her channel that will also feature her new recipe for Avocado Goat Cheese Truffle Pops while Manuel Villacorta, MS, RDN, created five delicious California avocado smoothie recipes for his channel.

Customized retailer promotions for California Avocado Month in June include the use of California avocado display bins, sales contests, digital advertising, social media tie-ins, and more.

How will our summer continue to elevate with new promotions to come? Stay tuned as we report.

California Avocado Commission