United Fresh Statement On Deputy Secretary Merrigan's Departure From USDA

WASHINGTON, DC – United Fresh congratulates Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan for her many years of service to USDA and American agriculture. She has been a trusted ally for so many vital produce industry issues, including supporting funding for specialty crop research, promoting healthy eating in schools and at home, and advancing food safety initiatives.

United appreciates Deputy Secretary Merrigan’s support of United’s initiatives and programs over the years. She has helped raise the visibility of salad bars as a strategy to improve child nutrition at Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools events while publicizing the USDA’s MyPlate nutrition campaign with her message to millions of Americans to make “half your plate fruits and vegetables.”

United is also proud to have partnered with Deputy Secretary Merrigan for the launch of the milestone online tool to help producers achieve Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification and to ensure they are producing fruits and vegetables in the safest manner possible.

For these major advances and her daily commitment to the broader agriculture community, United Fresh extends our gratitude to Deputy Secretary Merrigan.

Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association serves companies at the forefront of the global fresh and fresh-cut produce industry, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and Western Regional office in Salinas, Calif., United Fresh and its members work year-round to make a difference for the produce industry by driving policies that increase consumption of fresh produce, shaping critical legislative and regulatory action, providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health, and developing educational programs and business opportunities to assist member companies in growing successful businesses. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3400.

Source: United Fresh Produce Association