The California Table Grape Commission and the California Fresh Fruit Association Boards of Directors recently honored Domenick “Cookie” Bianco with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to the California table grape industry. Scroll down to view the resolution, news release, photos from the event, and a video.
Honoring Cookie Bianco
Wayde Kirschenman, chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association; Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission; and Jon Zaninovich, chairman of the California Table Grape Commission presented Cookie with the award and resolution.
Cookie Bianco shared remarks with those in attendance.
Kathleen Nave and Cookie Bianco. In Kathleen’s remarks, she shared that “Cookie exemplifies what a commitment to serve means.”
Marko B. Zaninovich, friend of Cookie and former California Table Grape Commission board member and chairman, and Cookie Bianco.
Cookie and Edith Bianco.
In June 2022, Kathleen Nave sat down with Cookie to listen to him share his family’s farming history and some memorable moments in the table grape industry. This video was shared at the event.
Here is a collection of photos sharing memorable moments throughout Cookie’s many years of service to the industry.
1986 Domenick Bianco
2004 Domenick Bianco
2004 Robert Johnson and Domenick Bianco
2006 Domenick Bianco
2006 Gary Gipson and Domenick Bianco
2012 Domenick Bianco
2012 Domenick Bianco and Bruce Obbink
2013 David Ramming and Domenick Bianco
2014 Kathleen Nave and Domenick Bianco
2014 Marko B. Zaninovich, Domenick Bianco, Bruce Obbink, and John Giumarra Jr.
2018 Berne Evans and Domenick Bianco
2018 Domenick Bianco and Marko B. Zaninovich
2018 Domenick Bianco, Marko B. Zaninovich, and John Giumarra Jr.
2018 Domenick Bianco and Ross Jones
2018 John Giumarra Jr, Mike Bozick, and Domenick Bianco
2018 Karen Ross and Domenick Bianco
2022 David Marguleas and Domenick Bianco
2022 Dennis Parnagian and Domenick Bianco
2022 Dennis Parnagian, Randy Giumarra, and Domenick Bianco
2023 Domenick Bianco
2023 Justin Parnagian and Domenick Bianco
2023 Domenick Bianco and Kathleen Nave
ABOUT California TABLE GRAPES
Californians have been cultivating grapes for more than two centuries. Today, 99 percent of U.S. table grapes are produced in California's warm, dry climate that is ideal for grape growing. With more than 90 grape varieties grown, California grapes come in three colors—green, red and black—and are in season from May through January.
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