NEWARK, Del.– For the first time in history, Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Board of Directors and volunteer leaders from the Government Affairs, Supply Chain Efficiencies, and Produce Science, Safety, and Technology committees joined together in Washington, D.C., last week to share their industry expertise with legislators and regulators. In a series of meetings, PMA provided industry leaders across the supply chain access to agriculture and food safety regulators and continued a collaborative relationship that will ensure consumer confidence.
“PMA has taken a successful approach to government relations by leading, educating and outreaching to the legislators and regulators who have oversight over the produce industry,” said Mike O’Brien, PMA Chairman of the Board. “This event marks a monumental success for the association but most of all sets a tone for our members and the industry going forward. We were delighted to see that legislators and regulators from FDA and USDA were eager to learn and engage in important dialogue. This critical exchange will help us meet our common goal of increasing consumption and providing the nation with the safest and healthiest produce available.”
This unprecedented event was geared to inform and engage key leaders in Washington to address two issues of critical importance to PMA members — increasing consumption and food safety. Volunteer leaders and staff met with:
•Sam Kass, Assistant White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor, Healthy Foods Initiatives;
•Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH), chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture, and the majority and minority staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee;
•Key leaders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and Rayne Pegg, administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, and;
•Don Kraemer, Deputy Director of the Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and several FDA staff who are intimately involved in writing rules on the issues that affect the produce industry.
Under the overarching umbrella of increasing consumption and food safety, discussions included dialogue about food safety programs, USDA audit programs, and food safety research. The new MyPlate icon, and ways the industry can leverage it to increase fruit and vegetable purchases, was a major topic throughout the discussions. All three committees, as well as members of the PMA Board of Directors, met with FDA regulators in charge of many facets of the Food Safety Modernization Act implementation. After a presentation by FDA’s Kraemer, members met with regulators to discuss the Produce Safety Alliance and PMA’s training program for small growers, third-party certification, traceability, food safety research, border issues, and enhanced communications between industry, government and consumers.
“Bringing PMA volunteers together leveraged a remarkable group that brought real-world experience to the legislators and regulators that govern our industry,” said Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of PMA. “We had collaborative dialogues on issues critical to government, industry, and the public. At a time when government is advocating improved health, including through greater consumption of fruits and vegetables, a seat at the table of those discussions is essential for the health of our nation and for our industry.”
About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Founded in 1949, Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing nearly 2,500 companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. Members rely on PMA year round for the business solutions they need to increase sales and consumption, build strong professional relationships, and expand their business opportunities. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
Source: Produce Marketing Association
