CALIFORNIA DATES CELEBRATES NATIONAL CALIFORNIA DATE MONTH WITH A TIMES SQUARE TAKEOVER AND A NATIONAL "BUILD A BETTER BITE" CONTEST

New Campaign Highlights Nutrient Density, Culinary Versatility, and "Making Every Bite Count" for Busy Lifestyles and Changing Appetites 

PALM DESERT, Calif., Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Date Commission announces the kickoff of National California Date Month, celebrated throughout October. This year's campaign spotlights California Dates across New York's Times Square with an eye-catching dual-sided digital billboard and offers culinary inspiration to help consumers make every bite count with the launch of a nationwide "Build a Better Bite" consumer contest.

Grown in Southern California's Coachella Valley—which produces approximately 85% of all dates grown in the United States—California Dates are America's only naturally dry fresh fruit. Picked at peak ripeness, washed, sorted, and shipped fresh with zero added sugar or artificial processing, California Dates provide a nutrient-dense whole-food foundation. A 40-gram serving (about 2 jumbo Medjool dates or 6 medium-size Deglet Noor dates) delivers 3 grams of dietary fiber, six essential B vitamins, seven essential minerals (including potassium and magnesium), and antioxidant polyphenols.

Key Campaign Highlights for October:

• High-Visibility Times Square Takeover: Following a high-profile summer campaign featuring tennis legend and California Dates Sports Nutrition Ambassador Michael Chang, the Commission returns to Times Square throughout October with a bold, two-sided digital billboard. The new creative spotlights California origin on the left ("The Best Dates Are Still From California") and everyday flavor on the right ("Naturally Sweet, Crazy Delicious").
• "Making Every Bite Count" in an Era of Smaller Portions: Whether driven by fast-paced lifestyles, reduced appetite associated with GLP-1 therapies, efforts to manage blood glucose, or improving diet quality, many Americans are eating less food—making nutrient density and mealtime satisfaction more critical than ever. In collaboration with emergency physician, chef, and culinary medicine expert Dr. Sonali Ruder (The Foodie Physician), the Commission is introducing the "Power Date Bite" framework. By pairing fresh California Dates (low glycemic index of 42 per 100 grams) with lean proteins, healthy fats, and tasty, nutritious toppings, consumers can easily turn small portions into satisfying, nutrient-dense power bites. For more information about Making Every Bite Count in the GLP-1 Era & Beyond, visit CaliforniaDates.com/GLP-1-nutrition 
• "Build a Better Bite" National Consumer Contest: Inviting home cooks, wellness enthusiasts, and food lovers to get creative in the kitchen, the Commission is launching a nationwide consumer recipe contest throughout October and November. Contestants are challenged to craft and submit two original creations: one sweet and one savory Power Date Bite, utilizing California Medjool Dates as the nutrient-dense, fiber-rich whole-fruit base paired with lean proteins, healthy fats, and tasty, nutritious toppings. Full contest details, entry guidelines, and prize announcements are available at woobox.com/chk36f.
• Healthy, Diabetes-Friendly Recipes: To support balanced eating, the Commission is offering a free digital recipe book filled with diabetes-friendly dishes—from savory recipes such as California Dates and Harissa Salmon or California Date, Pear, & Mozzarella Pizza, to sweet, satisfying desserts and snacks such as California Date Truffles and California Date & Avocado Pudding—demonstrating how whole California dates can naturally fit into everyday meal and snack planning. The California Dates Sweet & Savory Digital Recipe Book is available for download at californiadates.com/national-california-date-month/. All recipes in this collection were created for California Dates by Registered Dietitians or by Dr. Sonali Ruder (The Foodie Physician), and were approved by the American Diabetes Association® 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, California Date Commission. "We are excited to celebrate National California Date Month and bring that inspiration directly to consumers, healthcare and nutrition professionals, chefs, foodservice professionals, and produce aisles nationwide."

To learn more about California Dates and National California Date Month, visit CaliforniaDates.com and follow @DatesAreGreat on Instagram and Facebook.

About the California Date Commission 

The California Date Commission represents growers and handlers producing California-grown dates across the Coachella Valley and surrounding region. Dedicated to agricultural excellence, nutrition education, and culinary innovation, the Commission supports consumer health through American-grown whole produce.

SOURCE California Date Commission