Newark, Del. — The produce industry’s past is still giving generously to its future – apparent by the recent $35,000 contribution made to the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent by the General Harold S. Dillingham Produce Industry Scholarship Fund. The fund was initiated in 1976 with a mission that echoes that of the PMA Foundation’s today: to ensure a talented workforce equipped with the diverse skills necessary to meet the complex demands of the produce industry.
“This contribution will immediately benefit the Career Pathways programs as well as new and exciting young professional initiatives,” reports Jim Leimkuhler, chair of the PMA Foundation Board of Directors and president/owner of Progressive Produce Corporation. “Ultimately, though, this gift will help support the PMA Foundation’s entire mission to attract, develop and retain talent for the global produce and floral industry.”
Dillingham, “Dill”, was a produce industry veteran and former vice president of the Produce Reporter Co., now known as Blue Book Services. General Dillingham passed away in 1980, on the fourth anniversary of the scholarship’s founding. The goal of $200,000 had been met on that day and a 1980 letter to the fund’s supporters from Charles Gilb, past chairman of the fund, states that Dill was aware of the happy news.
“We are pleased to see that General Harold S. Dillingham, a 50 year former V.P. of Blue Book Services, is being remembered and honored by this substantial contribution to the PMA Foundation,” says James Carr, president and CEO of Blue Book Services and PMA Foundation Industry Talent Fund Contributor. “The PMA Foundation’s ability to provide programs and resources that address the talent challenges our industry faces will benefit all.”
“Dillingham truly embodied what later became part of PMA Foundation’s mission when few people were dedicating that kind of time and energy to bringing talent to the industry,” says Don Corsaro, chairman of the Giumarra Companies. “The fund helped make the produce industry attractive to bright minds, that’s a great gift.”
The fund has long provided scholarships to university students looking to pursue jobs in the produce industry. Many of the schools supported by the fund have been active partners with the PMA Foundation including the California Polytechnic State University and Oregon State University.
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 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.
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.
Source: Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
