Palm Desert, Calif. – October 02, 2026 -- The California Date Commission has kicked off National California Date Month, running throughout October, with a two-sided digital billboard in New York's Times Square and a nationwide recipe contest aimed at home cooks.

Coachella Valley supplies 85% of all U.S.-grown dates

California Dates are grown in Southern California's Coachella Valley, which produces roughly 85% of all dates cultivated in the United States. The fruit is picked at peak ripeness, washed, sorted, and shipped fresh with no added sugar or artificial processing. A 40-gram serving -- about two jumbo Medjool dates or six medium Deglet Noor dates -- provides 3 grams of dietary fiber, six B vitamins, seven essential minerals including potassium and magnesium, and antioxidant polyphenols.

Times Square billboard follows a summer campaign with Michael Chang

The new digital billboard follows a summer push featuring tennis legend and California Dates Sports Nutrition Ambassador Michael Chang. One side of the display reads "The Best Dates Are Still From California," while the other reads "Naturally Sweet, Crazy Delicious."

"Power Date Bite" framework targets smaller portion sizes

Working with emergency physician and culinary medicine expert Dr. Sonali Ruder, the Commission introduced a "Power Date Bite" framework that pairs dates -- which carry a low glycemic index of 42 per 100 grams -- with lean proteins, healthy fats, and toppings. The approach targets consumers eating smaller portions due to busy schedules, GLP-1 therapy side effects, or blood glucose management.

"Build a Better Bite" contest runs through November

The Commission's nationwide recipe contest asks entrants to submit one sweet and one savory Power Date Bite using California Medjool Dates as the base, running through October and November with entry details posted on the contest site.

Free recipe book includes diabetes-friendly dishes

A free digital recipe book offers dishes including California Dates and Harissa Salmon, California Date, Pear & Mozzarella Pizza, California Date Truffles, and California Date & Avocado Pudding. Recipes were created by Registered Dietitians or Dr. Sonali Ruder and approved by the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Food Hub.

"Whether you are fueling an active lifestyle or simply looking to pack more wholesome nutrition into smaller meals and snacks, California Dates deliver natural sweetness with real substance," said Kristy Kneiding, Executive Director of the California Date Commission.