The California Prune Board has renewed its commitment to Italian sport by confirming its collaboration with two outstanding figures from the country’s sporting scene. It marks the continuation of a brand ambassadorial project that brings together nutrition and performance and shows the role California Prunes can play in fitness training and competition preparation.
This year’s collaboration includes Matteo Rizzo, a globally renowned figure skater, and Elena Curtoni, a world-class alpine skier, with the pair looking ahead to a series of leading international winter sporting competitions over the coming months.
The California Prune Board (CPB) represents growers and packers from across the Golden State’s Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, who together produce the world’s leading premium prunes. As part of its mission to spotlight the versatile and nutritious nature of California Prunes, the CPB works with leading sports stars and fitness influencers to highlight the role California Prunes can play in healthy diets, from athletic preparation and post-training recovery to everyday snacking. As part of the programme, both Rizzo and Curtoni will continue to highlight and share California Prune-related content across their social media channels.
“We are proud to continue a project that places sport at its core, led by leading sporting figures such as Matteo Rizzo and Elena Curtoni,” explains Esther Ritson-Elliott, Director of International Marketing & Communications, California Prune Board. “Italy is one of CPB’s focus markets, and we continue to strengthen our presence there with a high-impact marketing campaign. The positive results achieved in recent years confirm that this approach is effective in showcasing the benefits of California Prunes, particularly for those who lead an active lifestyle and engage regularly in sport, contributing to everyday wellbeing,” Ritson-Elliott concludes.
Throughout the first half of 2026, California Prunes will support the athletes during their preparation phases for upcoming competitions. Naturally rich in potassium, prunes contribute to the maintenance of normal muscle function and, thanks to their low glycaemic index, provide a gradual and sustained release of energy. These characteristics make them particularly suitable for intense training sessions and prolonged physical activity. Ideal as a snack both before and after exercise, California Prunes are also a source of fibre[1] and provide vitamin K and manganese – essential nutrients that support bone health and overall wellbeing, even during the winter months.
To find out more about the versatility and nutritional benefits of California Prunes, visit www.californiaprunes.net
[1] With a fibre content of around 7g per 100g, providing nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of 30g