NATIONAL SUNKIST® CITRUS DAY | March 1
National Sunkist® Citrus Day on March 1 honors the rich history of California citrus, recognizes the legacy of multi-generational, family-owned Sunkist citrus farms, and celebrates the many health and wellness benefits that Sunkist citrus provides.
#NationalSunkistCitrusDay
The Sunkist cooperative has a rich history of values and a legacy of multi-generational, family-owned citrus farms, and is delighted to celebrate its 130th anniversary this year.
Since 1893, Sunkist has been doing what they do best: growing citrus. What started as citrus growers in the late 1800s joining forces to collaborate and combine efforts, has evolved into more than 1,500 citrus grower members stretching across California and Arizona today. This is why Sunkist’s motto is “Stronger Together.”
Seed By Seed
The first Navel orange tree in California was planted in the 1800s and became the very first citrus variety in the Sunkist portfolio. Today, Sunkist offers a robust portfolio of nearly 40 fresh, premium citrus varieties, including:
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Mandarins
- Grapefruit
- Tangerines
- Tangelos
Do oranges have different flavors? Yes. Each citrus variety has its own unique flavor profile. Sunkist Navel oranges are one of the most popular varieties and offer the perfect balance of sweet and juicy. Sunkist Cara Cara oranges, also known as The Pinkie™ Orange, is sweet, seedless, and uniquely pink on the inside due to the natural presence of lycopene. Cara Cara oranges offer 100% of your daily vitamin C intake in just one orange. These oranges provide folate, fiber, potassium, and vitamin A in every bite.
A Growing Legacy
What do citrus farmers do? What do citrus farmers do? Sunkist citrus growers take pride in growing and nurturing high-quality citrus for consumers around the world using traditional growing practices, stewardship of natural resources, and a dedication to innovation.
Growing fresh citrus requires hard work, dedication, resilience, skill and innovation. It can take five years for one tree to make the citrus that arrives in stores. Once the fruit is ripe, Sunkist growers hand-pick the fruit, and once at the packinghouse, they are sorted, washed and packed before making their way to the store. Year after year, crop after crop, citrus growers share a commitment to providing fresh quality citrus consumers enjoy worldwide.
Sunkist citrus growers take pride in growing and nurturing high-quality citrus for consumers around the world using traditional growing practices, stewardship of natural resources, and a dedication to innovation. Year after year, crop after crop, citrus growers share a commitment to providing fresh quality citrus consumers enjoy worldwide.
CITRUS CELEBRATION
Learn about the different varieties of citrus.
- Head to your local grocery store and purchase a variety of citrus products and have a tasting party with friends.
- Learn a new recipe using citrus ingredients. Recipe inspiration can always be found on Sunkist.com/recipes.
- Share your favorite citrus recipe or wellness hack and give Sunkist a shout-out on social media using #NationalSunkistCitrusDay.
SUNKIST®
In 2023, National Day Calendar welcomed Sunkist Growers to the National Day Calendar Founder Family. Each year on March 1, we will celebrating National Sunkist Citrus Day in honor of the legacy the cooperative has created for over a century. The entire day recognizes the farmers who dedicate their lives to citrus farming, providing us with delicious and nutritious citrus fruit to enjoy.
