| [January 12, 2012] |
 |
Food Safety for Produce Industry Top Priority for PMA Members with $900,000 Contribution to the Center for Produce Safety
SAN DIEGO & NEWARK, Del. --(Business Wire)--
Food safety in the produce industry continues to be top of mind for
consumers and industry leaders in 2012. Recognizing that ensuring
consumer confidence in produce is crucial to building greater
consumption, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) today announces the
donation of $900,000 to the Center
for Produce Safety over the next two years. With this contribution,
PMA is continuing to reinvest in the future of its members and is
ensuring that all other funds provided to the Center go directly to fund
research.
PMA's Executive Committee approved the donation in late 2011 and the
commitment was strongly endorsed by the association's board last week.
Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of PMA made the donation on behalf
of PMA in San Diego yesterday at the start of a CPS meeting attended by
industry and government leaders as well as food safety researchers.
"Our Executive Committee decided that PMA's ongoing investment in CPS
really is a show of faith in the future of our industry and simply the
right thing to do," said Rich Dachman, PMA's Chairman of the Board and
senior vice president of national sales at Sysco Corporation. "We helped
create CPS five years ago to bring together government, industry and
researchers so we could find answers to big questions about produce
safety. Today PMA and its members make a significant staement that we
are moving ahead on the road to continuous improvement in our food
safety knowledge and practices."
Over the past four years, CPS has funded more than 50 research projects
with grants of more than $9.2 million from government as well as
organizations throughout the produce supply chain. Today's gift brings
PMA's total contribution to CPS to more than $3 million.
"This gift could not come at a more opportune time for industry and
demonstrates the leadership of PMA members," said Bonnie
Fernandez-Fenaroli, executive director, CPS. "Ensuring the health and
safety of the consumer can only be enhanced through continued research
and process improvements to mitigate any potential produce safety issues
that may occur in the future. I could not be more pleased and honored
with this generous donation."
"Continuing to provide nutritious, flavorful and safe produce is
paramount for the produce industry," said Silbermann. "PMA members know
this not only for their customers but for their families. Our passion to
supply great products is shown in many ways, and I can't think of a
better way for such a demonstration than to present this gift to a
proven and trusted partner like CPS."
About CPS
The Center for Produce Safety is focused exclusively on providing the
produce industry and government with open access to the actionable
information needed to continually enhance the safety of produce.
Established by public and private partnership at University of
California, Davis, CPS funds original research; has created a searchable
database of global produce safety research; and is developing industry
training and outreach programs. Initial funding for CPS was provided by
the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the University of
California, Produce Marketing Association and Taylor Farms. For more
information, visit http://cps.ucdavis.edu.
About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association
representing companies from every segment of the global produce and
floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing business
solutions that expand business opportunities and increase sales and
consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
Editor's note: Pictures with captions from today's donation can be found
on our Flickr
page.
[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
|
TMCnet LOGIN
Webinars
