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First Lady Michelle Obama shares personal message with the produce industryDuring the annual State of the Industry presentation, PMA CEO Bryan Silbermann and PMA President Cathy Burns touched on a number of trends that are driving change in the produce and floral industries - ranging from shifts in consumer buying behavior highlighted by the association's research practice; advances in approaches to attracting and retaining talent; convergences in the food safety and technology arenas with the potential to ensure even safer fresh produce; and diverse strategies and tactics to drive consumer demand for fresh produce and floral. A highlight of the presentation was a congratulatory video from First Lady Michelle Obama, thanking the industry for its outstanding work in promoting fruits and vegetables - with special acknowledgement for those leaders participating in both the eat brighter!™ and FNV initiatives. "I want to thank all of you for your outstanding work to promote fruits and vegetables across this country," said First Lady Michelle Obama. "Together we're making the healthy choice the easy choice for families. And, we're showing the power of marketing to promote healthier products, and the results have been beyond anything we could have imagined." On the heels of that message, PMA announced a strategic alliance with the Entertainment Resource & Marketing Association (ERMA) - the association of entertainment marketing professionals - to bring fresh produce center stage through television shows, movies and online entertainment. As part of the alliance, ERMA has agreed to advocate the use of fresh produce in entertainment production and track that use. PMA has agreed to assist ERMA to make generic, fresh produce available as those entertainment opportunities arise. Produce companies that may want to feature specific products or brands will still be able to use product placement companies to do so. ERMA members work on product placement. During the address, Bryan and Cathy also announced that the Center for Produce Safety's Campaign for Produce Safety had grown from $4.6 million to $6 million; this includes PMA's contribution of $1 million. Produce Marketing Association's 2015-2016 Board of Directors Announced This year's PMA Board of Directors signifies global diversity with companies from more than 9 countries and women representing more than one quarter of the leadership. Elected to chair PMA's Board of Directors is Russ Mounce, vice president, divisional merchandise manager of produce, for Sam's Club, Bentonville, Ark. Five other officers and 29 directors join him. Also elected as officers to the 2015-2016 PMA board are:
Together with PMA CEO Bryan Silbermann, the officers comprise PMA's Executive Committee. The remaining 2015-2016 directors of the association are:
2015-2016 PMA Foundation for Industry Talent Board of Directors Announced Serving two-year terms, Dick Spezzano, president of Spezzano Consulting Service, Monrovia, California, will remain chair of the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent's Board of Directors. Also retaining their positions are:
Together, with Margi Prueitt, PMA senior vice president and PMA Foundation executive director, the officers comprise of PMA Foundation's executive committee. New members elected to a two-year term include:
Continuing members of PMA Foundation 2015-2016 board are:
Taylor named 2015 Robert L. Carey Leadership Award winner Bruce Taylor, founder and CEO of Taylor Farms, received the 2015 Robert L. Carey Leadership Award during Friday's general session. A committee of five past PMA leaders selected Bruce in recognition of his outstanding leadership and an uncommon commitment to PMA, the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent, the produce industry and his community. "He rose through the ranks of volunteer leaders of PMA, becoming a board member twice, and I had the pleasure of serving with him the first time," said last year's winner Dick Spezzano, while presenting the award to Taylor. "His second PMA tour culminated as chair of the board in 2008. During that time, he advocated strongly for many innovations, none as vital as the creation of the Center for Produce Safety. Not only did he encourage his fellow leaders to support PMA giving $2 million to launch the Center, but he also pledged $2 million of his company's own funds to match this. He gave to this vital research initiative because he understood the obligations of leadership and the power of example." "Bob Carey was a special man and a great friend and mentor of mine. I am deeply honored to accept the Carey Leadership award," said Taylor. Five companies honored for packaging contributions Seventy-one submissions from 57 companies vied for five 2015 PMA Impact Awards: Excellence in Packaging. A panel of judges looked for products that lead as examples in produce and floral packaging, demonstrating originality with emphasis on connecting with consumers, safeguarding the product inside, sustaining the environment and improving supply chain efficiencies. Judges scored each entry in five areas: marketing, food safety, supply chain efficiency, sustainability excellence and consumer convenience excellence. Winners of the 2015 Impact Award announced at the Friday general session were:
Focus on inspiring kids to eat healthier Students from the Bethune Elementary School in Atlanta, Ga., participated in the 5th annual Sensory Experience Contest alongside 11 buyer judges on Friday, Oct. 23, where they put 10 kid-friendly recipes to the test for flavor, aroma and presentation, among other criteria. Two recipes were chosen as winners by the buyers and students, respectively:
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 connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com. About PMA Foundation for Industry Talent (PMA Foundation) Created in 2005 as a charitable organization, the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent is growing the produce and floral industry's future by delivering education programs and networking events that attract, develop and retain top talent to secure a strong workforce for the global produce and floral industry. The PMA Foundation offers individuals in every stage of their career, and companies across the supply chain, a variety of solutions for development along the entire "career continuum." To view the PMA Foundation's full portfolio of opportunities that help individuals from entrance into the industry, all the way through a senior leadership position, please visit pmafoundation.com.
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