California Olive Oil Council Partners with Williams-Sonoma

The California Olive Oil Council (COOC) and Williams-Sonoma have joined together in a groundbreaking retail and quality assurance partnership to ensure the availability of COOC seal-certified extra-virgin olive oils to consumers. Williams-Sonoma has committed to ensuring that the chain’s California olive oils carry the COOC seal of certification. All 240 Williams-Sonoma stores nationwide will introduce their new selection of California-certified extra-virgin olive oils this August and September. Williams-Sonoma ensures that the olive oils have been tested for extra-virgin quality and then has these oils independently tested for quality every six months. The term “extra-virgin” has a specific meaning and is the highest grade an olive oil can receive. In 2014, the COOC certified over 250 California olive oils as extra-virgin. The oil’s chemistry is laboratory tested to ensure that the olives and oil have been carefully grown, handled and stored. “Extra-virgin” also denotes that a trained sensory panel has determined that the oil is free of defects and has the requisite positive flavor and aroma attributes. Only the best California extra-virgin oils qualify for COOC certification, whose standards exceed international requirements. The collaboration gives consumers a reliable source for the flavor range and known health benefits extra-virgin olive oil offers.

Shane Brogan, vice president, merchandising, Williams-Sonoma, remarked, “We are great supporters of California agriculture and the California Olive Oil Council, with their strict standards and their mandatory certification program for all of their growers and producers. The COOC’s program aligns with our goals to offer customers exceptional food products.”  Gina Sans, Calvirgin, added, “We value being a part of the Williams-Sonoma program where our award-winning oil is on the shelves of a company with some of the best culinary products in the world.” In preparation for this addition to the Williams-Sonoma product line, COOC worked closely with the Williams-Sonoma culinary staff, providing training and assistance for store associates to educate shoppers on tasting and choosing among the different intensity oils to meet their cooking needs and flavor preferences. 

Williams-Sonoma is a leading specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home, providing world-class service and an engaging customer experience. Products include cookware, cooks’ tools, cutlery, electrics, bakeware, food, tabletop and bar, outdoor, cookbooks, as well as furniture, lighting and decorative accessories. For more information, visit www.williams-sonoma.com.The California Olive Oil Council, established in 1992, represents over 90 percent of the olive oil production in the state of California. In 1998, the council founded the quality assurance program known as the Seal Certification Program. Today, almost 100 varieties of olives are grown in the state, and 3 million-plus gallons of olive oil are produced annually. For more information, visit www.cooc.com.