Washington State Tree Fruit Association donates for produce safety

The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) today announced it has received a $750,000 commitment from Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA), the trade group representing all segments of the tree fruit industry in the state of Washington. The pledge is part of the Campaign for Produce Safety, a major fundraising initiative publicly launched in September 2015 designed to secure $20 million over the next five years to fund critically needed, actionable produce safety research.

"The Washington State Tree Fruit Association's contribution to the Campaign for Produce Safety demonstrates our members' commitment to ensuring that Washington apples, pears and cherries are not only healthy and delicious, but also remain among the safest food choices consumers can make," said Jon DeVaney, WSTFA President. "Our industry chose to make this investment in research through the Center for Produce Safety because of its strength in developing solutions to food safety questions that are practical and science-based while using research dollars effectively."

Since its inception in 2007, the Center for Produce Safety has provided $18.4 million to fund produce safety research. The Campaign for Produce Safety aims to expand this vital work to close knowledge gaps with science-based research and enhance produce safety in the United States and worldwide. Total contributions to date are $7,452,000. Expect to hear of additional contributors in the following weeks.

"Washington State Tree Fruit Association, along with all campaign contributors, recognizes that CPS is the only organization where the produce supply and demand chain works collaboratively with the regulatory, research, and academic community to identify research needs, conduct research and translate findings into science based implementable solutions and guidance from field to fork," said Stephen Patricio, CPS's chairman who also heads the Campaign for Produce Safety and is president and CEO of Firebaugh, Calif.-based Westside Produce. "We commend the Washington State Tree Fruit Association for its leadership and foresight, and we encourage others to join us in supporting CPS to make produce safer."

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Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli