On November 28th, 2024 the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) hosted an exclusive burrata brunch in Mexico City, bringing together three media outlets, two renowned influencers, and five distinguished chefs. This event, organized in collaboration with the regional importer, aimed to strengthen connections with chefs from five prestigious restaurants. Attendees included media representatives from Reforma, Cocina Vital, and Gastrolab, as well as influencers such as “La señora del súper MX” and “¿Y qué hago de comer?”.
The main goal of the event was to inspire attendees with new culinary ideas using California burrata, showcased in the preparation of two exceptional dishes: a roasted peach salad with arugula, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes, and a capricciosa pizza with burrata. This initiative highlighted the quality and versatility of this cheese, encouraging attendees to explore its integration into their menus and leverage its potential in haute cuisine.
We participated in the Food and Wine Festival at the Hipódromo de las Américas in Mexico City on Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, 2024 promoting Real California dairy products through tastings. This festival is recognized as one of the most important gastronomic events of the year, offering a diverse program of activities where over 1,100 attendees enjoyed food and beverage pairings, and learning about high-quality products.
Our booth was a highlight of the event, thanks to the tastings conducted by Chef Poncho Hernández, who captivated attendees with his innovative recipes such as mozzarella compote and appetizers. We also distributed promotional items, such as fans and tote bags customized with the Real California Milk seal, effectively capturing the public’s attention and strengthening brand recognition.
We had a presence in three key locations: the general tasting area, two VIP sections, and a Photo Opportunity spot, perfect for branded photo moments. Interest in our products was significant, particularly in the ice cream, as many attendees inquired about where to purchase it. This success underscores the value and quality of Real California products in the market.
On October 19th, 2024, CMAB participated at TEDx San Ángel “Evolution”, both as a sponsorship and with Michael Boccadoro as speaker, as a sustentability expert.
TEDx San Ángel is a independent program of local events, part of TED Talks, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading ideas.
The event was in Teatro Centenario Coyoacán, around 400 people with very specific profiles, high educational and socioeconomic level, including professionals, entrepreneurs, students, artists attended.
As sponsors we gave samplings of 10 varieties of cheese and 2 of ice cream, we gave a special gift to all the speakers and different gifts to the attendees.
Michael Boccadoro, our speaker, has participated in California’s environmental policy arena for more than 35 years. As president of West Coast Advisors, he specializes in public affairs consulting and has distinctive expertise in environmental, climate, natural resources, and sustainability issues. During his talk “Evolution of Planet-Smart Dairy”, he exposed the efforts and programs that are carried out in California within the dairy industry on issues of sustainability. California is recognized as a world leader in planet-smart dairy farm practices, investing over $2 billion in more than 300 methane reduction projects on the state’s dairy farms.
On October 2024, the California Raisins Administrative Commitee participated in the first edition of the Sourdough Seminar with Irving Quiroz and Gluten Morgen, who is a renowned baker on social media with a total of 1.7 million followers.
The course was aimed at people dedicated to baking. During the course, Chef Irving highlighted nutritional information, benefits in baking, and general information about California Raisins.
A Sourdough bread with California Raisins was prepared, which allowed participants to observe the benefits of using raisins in baking.
We had communication on our social networks and on the chefs’ profiles, the participants received a kit with gifts from the account and wore an apron with the California Raisins logo throughout the course.
The course was taught in Mexico City and Monterrey with a total of 80 attendees, who were divided into 4 seminars, and a total of 61,018 impressions of communication on social networks were generated.
We participated in Grill Master in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico during the month of August promoting Idaho potatoes and the 3-pound HEB package.
Grill Master is one of the most prominent and recognized events for barbecue enthusiasts in Mexico. It brings together the best grillers and a multitude of BBQ fans, creating the perfect environment to be present with Idaho Potatoes and 38,000 people attend.
The attendees enthusiastically received tastings, praising the flavor and freshness of our products. In addition, we took the opportunity to distribute promotional items with the image of Idaho potatoes and our beloved Spuddy Buddy, capturing the attention and interest of the participants, and strengthening the recognition of our brand in the public.
We had the expert support of Chef Humberto Villareal who prepared the potatoes in different ways: Mashed potatoes with skin and butter, Roasted Potato with Pork Belly and Idaho Potato Salad.
Currently, Russet potatoes have broken sales records with the retailer!
California Raisins was part of the second edition of the cooking class for children 6 and 8 years old, where they learned how to prepare two recipes where the star ingredient was the California Raisins.
The event took place in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon in the outstanding workshop of our beloved Chef Irving Quiroz “Amasijo”, where we had the company of 6 children who participated in the class where they made oatmeal cookies, butter and raisins and raisin pancakes.
During the class, the children showed their love for raisins and their emotion for making the recipes using California raisins.
At the end of the class, the children received recognition for their participation and kits as a thank you for attending.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that this activity was followed on social networks where we obtained a total reach of 107,044 people and a total of 139,792 impressions.
Sunmaid Growers of California listed 12 SKUs in the Mexican Market delivering the first purchase order for 800 cases with an estimated export value of 28,000 USD in March 2024 and available to Mexican consumer on April 1st, 2024. Raisin Administrative Committee provided industry-wide consultations during 2023 providing market information, importers contacts and facilitating communication for the first contact.
The listing process into the country took over one year and RAC was able to provide industry information to Mexican Retailer “La Comer” with 15% national market share with 13 high-end retail stores named “City Market”, where the product will be immediately made available, to eventually distribute in the rest of 72 stores with potential sales of 200,000 USD for full distribution in this retail chain, with the potential to increase volume once other retailers list the product portfolio in 2024.
Product listing will be complemented by a generic Retail Marketing campaign managed by RAC and it is expected that this will be the first step to develop raisin individual packs as a snack category in Mexico that has been a part of the U.S. Culture for many years, opening the way for more uses of California Raisins in that country.
From January to March, American Pistachio Growers activated a campaign with Cocina Vital called Academia de Pistache where information was shared about the history of pistachios, the health benefits they provide, downloadable recipes, and articles.
The academy consisted of 3 different modules where users could register and get certified. The campaign was amplified on Cocina Vital’s different digital channels such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Website.
In total, 3,418,308 impressions and 42,683 clicks were obtained. User interaction confirms the interest that exists in pistachios and multiple options to integrate them into recipes
Video recap: https://vimeo.com/988643086/0499d6d1d8?share=copy
On February 26, Pistachio Day is celebrated worldwide. This year, American Pistachio Growers did different activities to celebrate and let the world know why pistachios are everyone’s favorite snack.
Campaigns were carried out with different media in order to spread the message through digital platforms, including reels, recipes, posts, and detailed editorial notes. One of the favorites was the pistachio butter that Gastronauta DF made with a spectacular production, where in addition to having the pistachio as the protagonist, it included green elements to combine it with the product.
In total, 36 articles were published about Pistachio Day, impacting 685,000 people. Media such as Cosmopolitan, Selecciones and Kena highlighted the benefits of American pistachios, as well as their versatility in food.
Zoofari is a zoo located in central Mexico that receives around 75,000 visitors annually. A popcorn machine was lent to Zoofari Park for a 4-week trial period to promote the profitability of having a popcorn machine and offering American popcorn to its visitors.
Additionally, promotional materials from Popcorn USA, including water bottles, bags, and cardholders, were sent to be distributed among their visitors to increase sales. At the end of the promotional campaign, Zoofari expressed great interest in acquiring a popcorn machine. Imalinx provided information, and Zoofari agreed to purchase the machine at the end of January.