The move to get Californians to eat more California-grown foods has come to the Central Valley. A resolution that calls for Californians to choose meals made exclusively from California-grown ingredients at least one day a week was passed by the Fresno county board of supervisors and other valley counties are being encouraged to pass similar measures.

“We are pleased to see the support grow for this effort,” said Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission. “Fresno County is the third largest producer of table grapes in the state, so support from its board of supervisors shows the importance the county places on agriculture. We look forward to seeing other counties pass resolutions in support of the Eat Local, Buy California Grown Day.”

According to Fresno County’s 2010 Annual Crop and Livestock Report, farmers and ranchers in Fresno County produced a record $5.9 billion in crops and commodities in 2010, more than any county in the nation. Grapes (wine, table, raisin), for the ninth year in a row, were the top valued crop in the county. Nearly all (99 percent) of the table grapes commercially grown in the U.S. are from California.

“Consumers all over the world recognize California for the quality of its agriculture,” said Nave. “Valley shoppers have the opportunity to support their local economy and enjoy some of the best food in the world at the same time.”

California consumers can show support by signing a pledge to dedicate a day to eating local on the Eat Local, Buy California Grown Day Facebook page: www.facebook.com/eatlocalbuycaliforniagrown.

The California Table Grape Commission was created by the California legislature in 1967 to increase worldwide demand for fresh California grapes through a variety of research and promotional programs.