Celebrate the Sweetest Month of the Year: October is National California Date Month

October is about to get a whole lot sweeter! The California Date Commission is proud to announce the inaugural National California Date Month, set to take place this October. It will celebrate the delectable, nutritious, and oh-so-versatile California Dates as well as honor the hardworking farm workers who bring these sweet treats from the palm trees to plates across America and the world.

“Dates are more than just a fruit; they are a symbol of the hard work and resilience of our agricultural communities," said Gordon Chuchian, chairman of the California Date Commission. "This month-long celebration is a tribute to the dedication of our farm workers and the enduring legacy of date farming in California."

Throughout the month of October, all aspects of California Dates, from their nutritional value and delicious recipes to their contribution to California’s agricultural richness and heritage will be celebrated with a variety of activities.

Why Celebrate Dates?

Unbeatable taste and quality, packed with natural sweetness

Full of nutrients

Incredibly versatile in the kitchen

Rich heritage with farming skills passed down through generations

Fresh Fruits or Dried Fruits? 

California Dates are nature’s only NATURALLY DRY FRESH FRUIT. They are a low-moisture whole fruit with less than 25 percent moisture. The moisture content is the main difference in how dry the dates will be when harvested, which changes throughout the ripening stages. 

Fresh California Dates do not undergo a drying process after harvesting. They are washed, sorted, packaged, and shipped, and can be found in the produce aisles of your favorite grocery stores. 

There are also dried dates – dates that have been dehydrated after harvesting. With the moisture removed, these dates have a longer shelf life and are often found in the baking aisle of your favorite grocery store. 

Delicious Recipes

• Cinnamon Date Tiramisu

• Date Apple Stuffed Pork Wellington & Mashed Sweet Potato with Date Amaretto compote

• Palm Springs Fruit Salad

• Blue Cheese & Almond Stuffed California Dates with Chive Oil

• Chicken-Date Couscous Salad

In addition to being a delicious sweet treat, California Dates offer numerous health benefits. They are heart-healthy, filled with antioxidants, have a low glycemic index, provide a natural energy boost with no added sugars, and filled with essential vitamins and nutrients.

California's date industry is a cornerstone of the state’s agricultural landscape, producing over 85% of the dates grown in the United States. California’s unique climate and rich soil make it the perfect place to grow superior dates renowned for their quality, taste, and nutritional benefits.

What’s Happening in October

Leading up to and throughout October there will be several exciting events and promotions to help people discover the wonders of California Dates including:

Culinary Experiences: Restaurants and bars throughout the Greater Palm Springs area will feature date-inspired menus all month long. From sweet and savory main dishes, sides, and desserts to creative date cocktails and the famous California Date Shakes, California Dates will be showcased in innovative and delicious ways, allowing patrons to experience the diverse culinary potential of this versatile fruit.

Virtual Spotlights: Chefs, mixologists, and nutritionists will be featured online, providing valuable insights to viewers, no matter where they are located.Breakfast with Champions: A special event will honor the farm workers whose labor and dedication are the backbone of the date industry. Their contributions will be celebrated, acknowledging the vital role they play in bringing this nutritious fruit from farm to tables around the country.

 

Happening Now for Consumers - A National Contest

Starting September 10th and continuing through the end of October, the California Date Commission will be holding a national consumer contest. Prizes include: 

•  Boxes of California Dates with $100 grocery gift cards

  • A private online cooking class for contest winners hosted by California Dates ambassador and celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira.

  • A California Dates VIP Experience at the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival (March 2025). The prize package includes a 3-night stay at an area hotel, tickets to the Celebrity Chef Farm Tour & Luncheon, tickets to the Saturday Grand tasting event, and a California Dates Swag bag.  Consumers can enter the contest here.

For up-to-date information about National California Date Month events and promotions, follow California Dates on Facebook and Instagram (@datesaregreat) and visit the National California Date Month web page. 

About the California Date Commission

The California Date Commission is a commodity board working on behalf of all date producers within the Coachella Valley to oversee the quality development of dates and date products and provide field and nutrition research, regulatory support and generic marketing promotion.

For more information about California Date Month, visit Californiadates.com.