Western Growers Pledges $1 Million To The Campaign For Produce Safety

 

Western Growers has committed $1 million to the Center for Produce Safety’s (CPS) Campaign for Produce Safety, officials from both organizations have announced. Western Growers’ contribution brings total campaign commitments to more than $10 million, which is more than halfway toward CPS’s goal.

“It is fitting and a testament to the relationship between Western Growers and CPS, characterized by nearly a decade of cooperation and collaboration between the two organizations, that our $1 million contribution puts CPS’s fundraising campaign over the $10 million mark,” said Tom Nassif, Western Growers president and CEO.

Western Growers’ grower members produce more than 50% of the fresh produce found in U.S. grocery stores.

“We thank Western Growers and its members for this leadership contribution, and the grower commitment to food safety that it represents,” said Steve Patricio, chairman of both CPS and its Campaign for Produce Safety, and president and CEO of Westside Produce. Patricio is also a member of Western Growers’ board.

To date, the “Funding Science, Finding Solutions”-themed campaign has raised $10,012,000. CPS is seeking to raise $20 million over the next five years to fund critically needed, actionable produce safety research.

CPS has provided $18.4 million to fund produce-specific safety research since it was founded in 2007. CPS’s Campaign for Produce Safety will expand this vital work to supply science-based research that closes food safety knowledge gaps in the U.S. and worldwide.

The following companies and organizations have contributed to the Campaign for Produce Safety as of March 4.To contribute and join these industry leaders, contact Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, CPS executive director, by telephone at 530-554-9706 or by email at [email protected].

Companies and organizations noted with asterisks have given not only to the Campaign for Produce Safety, but also to past CPS fundraising efforts:

 

Contribution of $1,000,000+

Produce Marketing Association *

Taylor Farms *

Western Growers

 

Contribution of $500,000 – $999,999

Washington State Tree Fruit Association

California Fresh Fruit Association

Dole

Fresh Express, Incorporated

 

Contribution of $250,000 – $499,999

Agricola El Toro

California Melon Research Board * / California Cantaloupe Advisory Board *

Georgia Pacific *

Sysco

Tanimura & Antle *

The Wonderful Company

 

Contribution of $100,000 – $249,999

GreenGate Fresh

JV Smith Companies *

Lipman Produce

Pacific International Marketing

Target Corporation

Western Precooling Systems

Bolthouse Farms

Church Brothers / True Leaf Farms

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association

International Paper *

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce

Castellini Group of Companies *

Driscoll’s *

Florida Tomato Committee *

Freshway Foods

Markon Cooperative, Inc.*

McEntire Produce, Inc.

Monterey Mushrooms, Inc. *

The Oppenheimer Group

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Ready Pac Foods, Inc.

 

Contribution up to $99,999

Sunview Marketing International *

Amigo Farms

H-E-B *

Coastline Family Farms, Inc.

Martori Farms

Mission Produce, Inc.

National Watermelon Association

Santa Rosa Produce

Tree Top, Inc.

Loblaw Companies Limited

California Pear Advisory Board

California Tomato Farmers

Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association

Giant Eagle, Inc.

Monsanto Company *

Pasquinelli Produce Company

Diversified Restaurant Systems, Inc.

New York Apple Sales, Inc.

Rice Fruit Company