The California Olive Oil Council Celebrates February as California Olive Oil Month
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed February as California Olive Oil Month. With this proclamation the Governor urges everyone to make California olive oil a staple in their kitchens and cuisines. He emphasizes the rich history and important role of olive oil in California agriculture, noting California produces 99 percent of U.S. olive oil, and has set standards to align its grades and quality with producers around the world.
As the state’s olive oil production continues its rapid growth, California competes with the finest oils from around the world in both taste and cost. With hundreds of olive oils from around the world from which to choose, California Olive Oil Council Executive Director Patty Darragh urges shoppers and chefs to look for the COOC seal, as the guarantee for extra virgin olive oil produced in California. Darragh adds, “The COOC Taste Panel, founded in 1998, has certified nearly 200 extra virgin olive oils from our recent 2009 harvest, and these oils are already available on store shelves, farmers markets, online merchants, and through foodservice channels.”