Newark, Del.– The Foundation for Fresh Produce announced the new 2025 Board members at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, GA. The Foundation was founded by The International Fresh Produce Association and its mission is to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health.
The Board of Directors for 2025 will be chaired by Dwight Ferguson, President and CEO of California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Alex DiNovo, President and COO of DNO Produce will continue to serve on the board and executive committee as Past Chair.
The additional members of the executive committee are Chair-Elect Jin Ju Wilder, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Vesta Foods as the Chair-Elect and April Porter as Secretary/Treasurer.
“I am honored and excited to become chair of The Foundation for Fresh Produce and do my part, along with the very talented board and staff, to advance its mission to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health,” said Ferguson. “All of us involved with produce and health know that growing consumption of fruits and vegetables is the single most simple thing every person can do for the health of themselves and the planet. Thanks to the work of my predecessor, Alex DiNovo, along with prior board members, The Foundation is now well-positioned to expand and increase consumption globally.”
The Foundation board will lead the organization’s remit to position fruits and vegetables as the solution for many of the world’s greatest health and economic challenges, especially those surrounding nutrition and hunger. The organization plans to expand its reach and impact to boost the appeal of fruits and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, improve access, nurture passionate fruit and vegetable professionals, and scale partner programs that strengthen our collective global impact.
“Serving as Chair of The Foundation has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Over the past year, it’s been inspiring to see The Foundation’s mission to transform human health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables take root,” said outgoing chair, Alex DiNovo. “During my tenure, building on The Foundation’s growth and witnessing the tangible impact of our initiatives has been remarkable. As Dwight steps into this role, his commitment to increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and growing a healthier world will surely drive The Foundation to new milestones, and I look forward to seeing the impactful strides he and the Board will accomplish together.”
The 2025 Foundation new and returning directors:
- Dwight Ferguson, California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, Chair
- Jin Ju Wilder, Vesta Foods, Chair Elect
- Alex DiNovo, DNO Produce, Immediate Past Chair
- April Porter, Noble Citrus and Crystal Beach Capital, Secretary/Treasurer
- At Large Members:
- CarrieAnn Arias, Pear Bureau Northwest
- Stacy Bates, MS, RDN, LD, CDE, H-E-B
- Inci Dannenberg, Bayer
- Nikki Ford, PhD, Hass Avocado Board
- Bil Goldfield, Dole Food Company
- Eileen Hyde, Walmart
- Jason Osborn, The Wonderful Company
- Cedric Pauwels, Greenyard
- Amy Yaroch, PhD, Center for Nutrition and Impact
- The Foundation also celebrated and thanked two retiring Board members for their service:
- Martha Hilton, Wegmans
- John Oxford, L&M
About The Foundation for Fresh Produce
The Foundation for Fresh Produce is growing a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health. We believe fruits and vegetables are the answer and we must remove barriers that prevent people from eating them.
The Foundation boosts the appeal of fruits and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, improves access, nurtures passionate fruit and vegetable professionals, and scales partner programs that strengthen our collective global impact.
To join in changing the trajectory of human health, visit www.freshproduce.com/foundation to learn more and donate. For consumer inspiration and professional nutrition education, go to www.fruitsandveggies.org.
