2 Will Lead Panels on Avocado Commission

Two members of the local avocado industry have been picked to head committees of the California Avocado Commission.

Richard Pidduck of Santa Paula, a board member of the Index Fresh cooperative fruit-handling company, will chair the Industry Affairs Committee of the statewide commission. The committee deals with such issues as water supply and crop-threatening pests.

Matt Roberts, a Carpinteria avocado grower, will lead the Marketing Committee, responsible for advertising and promotional efforts.

The commission works to boost avocado sales and represents the state’s 6,000 avocado growers on issues affecting the industry. Last year, California produced 304 million pounds of avocados, worth about $227 million to growers, according to the commission.

Of those sales, about $43 million went to growers in Ventura County.