SALINAS, Calif. – Through their seven member companies, Markon Cooperative, Inc. has pledged another $100,000 in research funding to the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) for their latest five-year campaign, bringing the group’s total to $200,000 in grants.
The CPS, a partnership between retail and foodservice industry members, government officials, academic resources, and the scientific community, provides and shares ready-to-use, science-based solutions to prevent or minimize produce safety vulnerabilities. Markon’s President Tim York was instrumental during the inception of the CPS and has served as a past chairman of the board.
On behalf of the members of Markon (Ben E. Keith Foods, Gordon Food Service, Gordon Food Service Canada, Maines Paper & Food Service, Nicholas & Company, Reinhart Foodservice, and Shamrock Foods Company), the group is happy to make this latest financial investment towards CPS’s goal to secure $20 million in support by the end of 2019. These funds will go directly to practical, industry-specific research that reduces the risk of foodborne illness associated with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Markon and its members have led the cause for foodservice food safety for 30 years—and with this contribution continue their legacy within the industry. “Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. No issue is more important. We’re all involved—and we’re all at risk,” explains Markon Chairman of the Board and Nicholas & Company’s President Peter Mouskondis. “Consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables is at an all-time high, but that means our responsibility must also grow. Now more than ever before, it’s critical that the industry becomes more prevention oriented by increasing efforts to provide actionable food safety research. Throughout the supply chain all partners need to be invested in keeping customers safe. The most effective way to achieve this is by supporting the research, staying informed, and enacting the latest directives.”
To accomplish these goals, Markon and its members invite companies to lend support as an investment not just in the CPS, but in an industry that everyone wants and needs to flourish. The funds will position CPS to build a more sustainable fiscal foundation and ensure the protection of the health of the industry and the consumers it serves.
About Markon
From its headquarters in Salinas, California, Markon Cooperative, Inc. provides fresh produce purchasing, logistics, information, and marketing services exclusively to its seven member distributors (Ben E. Keith Foods, Gordon Food Service, Gordon Food Service Canada, Maines Paper & Food Service, Nicholas & Company, Reinhart Foodservice, and Shamrock Foods Company) and their foodservice customers. A leader in food safety, quality control, and innovation, Markon is also mindful of the produce industry's impact on people – from field workers to consumers. Read more about Markon at Markon.com.
About CPS
Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is focused exclusively on providing the produce industry and government with open access to the actionable information needed to continually enhance the safety of produce. Established by public and private partnership at the University of California, Davis, initial funding for CPS was provided by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the University of California, Produce Marketing Association, and Taylor Farms. Markon’s Tim York served as Advisory Board Chairman from 2007-2011. Learn more about CPS at www.cps.ucdavis.edu.
Source: Markon Cooperative, Inc.