Silbermann Speaks at Massachusetts Restaurant Association’s Produce Safety Symposium

Produce Marketing Association (PMA) president Bryan Silbermann served as the opening speaker at a half-day Produce Safety Symposium hosted by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association at The Conference Center at Waltham Woods, MA on Monday, February 26, 2007. The event attracted 150 foodservice executives and was sponsored by Costa Fruit & Produce.

^^^ Left to Right: Frank Guidara, President & CEO, Uno Chicago Grill; Bryan Silbermann, President, Produce Marketing Association; Peter Christie, President, Massachusetts Restaurant Association; and Manny Costa, President, Costa Fruit & Produce at the Produce Safety Symposium hosted by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association.

In his overview of produce safety developments over the past six months, Silbermann outlined lessons learned from the September spinach crisis, how consumers now view produce safety, what industry and government have been doing, and relayed questions that foodservice operators should ask themselves about their produce sourcing practices. Among the experts who followed Silbermann on the program were Michael Jantschke, director of produce safety for Pro-Act; Andrea Fontaine, laboratory director for Food Research Laboratories; and Peter Christie, president of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. Manny Costa of Costa Fruit & Produce served as program moderator.

“Speaking to an audience consisting of restaurant chain chief executive officers, purchasing directors, menu developers, and operations executives gave PMA a wonderful opportunity to focus on the need for system-wide commitment to produce safety practices,” Silbermann said. “Stepping up to the plate with enhanced safety practices is not just a responsibility for growers, shippers and processors. Buyers must accept the vital responsibility they have in demanding rigid specifications that will not be shortchanged on a whim. And we cannot forget that employees at the unit level must be trained to handle produce properly. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just something to put in a box or bag and then take for granted.”

Silbermann also gave the restaurant audience an overview of the new California Marketing Agreement for lettuce and leafy greens, explaining how it will work, who is involved, the development of metrics as standards for production, and expectations for the upcoming growing season. He also outlined PMA’s recent decision to commit a total of $2.75 million to produce safety, including research, communications and training.

Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association serving more than 2,100 companies representing all segments of the global produce and floral supply chains. 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.

Contact: Debra Mitchell, dmitchell@pma.com, +1 (302) 738-7100, ext. 3008