The California Olive Committee (COC) is comprised two canneries and nearly a thousand growers who are responsible for producing over 95% of olives grown in the United States. Olive growers in California farm about 18,000 acres of land in both the northern and southern regions of the state, generating an average of over $490 million in annual economic output. The COC administers marketing order programs for olive growers and canners under Federal Marketing Order No. 932 and the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. Members, serving for a period of two years, consists of eight producer and handler members, plus alternates, representing the entire CA ripe olive industry. Decisions made by the Committee are subject to approval by the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture. At the present time, provisions of the Marketing Order apply only to black and green canned olives, and not to tree ripened, Spanish style, olive oil, Sicilian, Greek, or other styles of olives. The program is funded by a mandated assessment, established every December, on each ton of olives received for use as canned ripe olives. Committee functions and expenditures fall into four main categories: • Administrative • Crop & Processing Research • Incoming & Outgoing Inspection • Marketing and Public Relations, including Crisis Communication