California Delivers on Olympic Athletes' Request for Strawberries

WATSONVILLE, Calif., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a historic step for
the California strawberry industry, America's favorite fruit will arrive on
Chinese soil for the first time in history today. After receiving approval
from Chinese authorities, the California strawberry industry has been readying
for the first shipment.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080805/DC29781 )

The strawberries were specially harvested on Saturday in preparation for their
arrival in China on today. This initial test shipment will be inspected by
the China General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine (AQSIQ) to ensure the fruit meets China's food safety and quality
standards.

California Strawberry Commission President, Mark Murai said, "After initial
review and quality checks in Beijing, California strawberries will continue to
enter the country and will be available throughout the entire Olympic Games."

The fruit will be prepared by the official caterers who will incorporate this
favorite fruit into their menus and served at the Beijing Olympic Village
eateries, the U.S.A. House and the U.S. High Performance Center.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said, "I commend China for providing
the world's greatest athletes with healthy diet options and I look forward to
a continued dialogue on gaining permanent market access for California grown
strawberries. As Governor of this great state, I am committed to promoting and
will continue to campaign for our world-renowned products and services."

In November 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger promoted California trade and
tourism, including California strawberries, on a six-day trade mission to
China. The 2008 Olympic Games are the first time China has opened its borders
to California grown strawberries. The first shipment of 450 pounds of fresh
California grown strawberries arrived in Beijing today.

Chinese Olympic athletes requested strawberries as one of their top three
choices of fruit to eat during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Not grown in
China during August and September, California strawberries are the natural
choice to meet the athletes' needs for a high performance diet during the
Games.

The California Strawberry Commission is a state government agency that
represents an industry of more than 500 growers and 60 shippers and processors
of California strawberries. With a focus on food safety education, Commission
strategies also include production and nutrition research, trade relations,
public policy and marketing communications.

For more information visit http://www.calstrawberry.com.

SOURCE California Strawberry Commission

Mary DeGroat of California Strawberry Commission, +1-831-724-1301,
Mdegroat@calstrawberry.org