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Valley’s olive oil producers encouraged to enter competition
olive oil

Entries are now being accepted for the 11th Annual San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC); Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Flavored Olive Oil entries from commercial producers in the State of California are eligible and olive oil must be made from producers’ most recent olive harvest. Deadline for entries is March 27, 2026. The competition is hosted through The Big Fresno Fair.

“As the heart of California agriculture, the San Joaquin Valley is the perfect place to celebrate the state’s finest olive oils,” said Christina Estrada, CEO of The Big Fresno Fair. “This competition gives producers the opportunity to be recognized for excellence, build visibility and showcase their oils to new audiences.”

Participating producers must enter their harvest into one of two different divisions: EVOO and Flavored Olive Oil. Competition classes in EVOO include: Spanish Blends (arbequina, arbosana, etc.); Spanish Singles; Italian Blends (ascolano, etc.); Italian Singles; Other Blends (picholine, barouni, etc.); and Other Singles. Competition classes in Flavored Olive Oil include: Citrus; Herbal (rosemary; basil, etc.); Pepper (chile, jalapeno, habanero, etc.); and Other Flavors (garlic, truffle, etc.).

Gold and silver medals will be given out in each division; “Best of Show” awards in both the EVOO and Flavored Olive Oil divisions; as well as one overall “Best of the Valley” award.

Judging will be evaluated and scored as follows:

Gold Medal: Awarded to an olive oil that demonstrates its type and/or varietal character, balance, structure and complexities to the highest standards. Gold Medals will be awarded to those oils receiving scores between 86 – 100 points.

Silver Medal: Awarded to an olive oil reflecting the correct distribution of balance and character of its type or variety; an oil deemed to be well crafted and of excellent quality. Silver Medals will be awarded to those oils receiving scores between 76 – 85.99 points.

Best of Show: Awarded to an olive oil recognized to possess special characteristics of the highest quality overall; given out in both EVOO and Flavored Olive Oil divisions. All Gold Medal winners are eligible to compete for Best of Show in their respective division.

Best of the Valley: Awarded to the oil that scored the highest overall with the ranch or office located in the San Joaquin Valley across both EVOO and Flavored Olive Oil divisions. Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties are eligible.

Producers may submit multiple entries under one class but may not submit a particular entry to more than one class. All entries must be available for commercial sale at the time of entry. Entries are due by March 27, 2026. Winners will be announced on May 1, 2026 by 5 p.m.

Gold Medal, Best of Show and Best of the Valley winners will all have the opportunity to be on-site during the 2026 Big Fresno Fair in the SJVOOC area where they can taste, display and sell their award-winning products and engage directly with Fairgoers to educate the public about their products and the olive oil industry in California.

Each submission must include an entry form, at least two 250 ml bottles of the olive oil with retail labels attached and a $60 non-refundable fee per entry. Each entry must also contain a third-party chemical analysis in order to verify extra virgin status. Entries can be dropped off at The Big Fresno Fair Administration Office or can be shipped to SJVOOC – The Big Fresno Fair, 1121 S. Chance Ave., Fresno, CA 93702 no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 27, 2026. Any entry delivered by mail, freight or express must be prepaid. The Administration Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for drop-offs.

In 2025, a total of 54 entries were received. A complete list of winners can be found at www.FresnoFair.com/SJVOOC, along with 2026 SJVOOC details including a downloadable entry form. Email questions to Cindy Suarez at agriculture@fresnofair.com or call 559-285-9209.

 

The Big Fresno Fair, founded in 1884, is the fifth largest fair in the state of California and represents the 21st District Agricultural Association. An average of 500,000 people from throughout the state visit The Big Fresno Fair each year, making it the largest annual event in the Central Valley. The 2026 Big Fresno Fair will run Oct. 7 through 18. For more details, visit www.FresnoFair.com.