GLOBALG.A.P., the world’s largest and most trusted farm certification standards organization, and United Fresh, the nation’s leading produce trade association, invite United Fresh Convention (June 8-10) attendees to stay in Chicago for an exciting one-day conference, Thursday, June 11, with leading agricultural industry and government representatives.
The “TOUR 2015” event from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the McCormick Place Convention Center features a keynote address by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor on the FDA’s view of the role of on-farm audits in the coming era of the landmark FSMA legislation.
The first session examines food safety harmonization and audit fatigue reduction. Moderated by United Fresh’s Senior Vice President of Food Safety, David Gombas, the session’s panelists include Alpine Fresh’s Peter Hill; Costco’s Craig Wilson; Florida Tomato Exchange’s Reggie Brown; Moreland Fruit Farm’s Fred Finney; Walmart’s Kerry Bridges; and Wegmans’ Bill Pool.
Up next, GLOBALG.A.P. explores the rising trend of going “Beyond Food Safety” with a look into sustainability and worker welfare concerns. Environmental consultant Robert Denny moderates this session with panelists Gavin Bailey of Walmart; Mary O’Rourke with the U.S. Department of Labor; Chris Waldrop of the Consumer Federation of America; Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates’ Tamara Muruetagoiena; and Craig Wilson with Costco.
The third session looks ahead to the future role of third-party audits in the changing landscape of farm certification, and includes such panelists as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Ken Peterson; the Equitable Food Initiative’s Peter O’Driscoll; SQFI’s LeAnn Chuboff; Equicert’s Michael Hari; and sustainability consultant Roberta Anderson.
“These are critical issues for our industry, so I encourage you to consider extending your stay through Thursday’s conference.” said United Fresh’s CEO Tom Stenzel.
GLOBALG.A.P.’s President Kristian Moeller noted: “We greatly value our partnership with United Fresh and are pleased to offer our first North American TOUR event in conjunction with their convention.”
For more information about the program and to register, visit http://www.unitedfreshshow.org/Content/GLOBALGAP-TOUR2015. Note, registration for this event is separate from registration for the 2015 United Fresh convention.
GLOBALG.A.P. offers North American producers cost-effective, pre-farmgate certification standards through a network of 16 independently accredited auditing companies. Its solutions range from basic and advanced GFSI-level food safety, to options including environmental sustainability and worker health/safety coverage, as well as customized packages.
“We are pleased to introduce to the U.S. market our new Harmonized Produce Safety Standard (HPSS) solution. HPSS is an innovation in audit standards which includes the entire pre- and post-farmgate Harmonized Standards in a single combined checklist. Augmented with additional GLOBALG.A.P. control points, it offers the market the first GFSI-level interpretation of the Harmonized Standards, providing an excellent food safety solution for American producers. HPSS is an evolutionary step in audit fatigue reduction for farmers, and a simple, effective tool for retailers/distributors to protect their consumers, industry partners and brands,” remarked Vice President of Operations Jonathan Needham.
For the third year in a row, GLOBALG.A.P. is the co-sponsor, along with IFS, of the convention’s FreshTech Learning Center. Executive Vice President Thomas Fenimore commented: “We are proud to support United Fresh’s series of educational seminars that offer valuable insights into cutting-edge issues in produce food safety and technology.”
GLOBALG.A.P. encourages convention attendees to visit its booth (# 2248) and the FreshTech Learning Center. For more information visit http://www.globalgap.org/north-america or call 443.869.6120.