CFFA elect board members

The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) kicked off their new fiscal year yesterday during the Annual Membership Meeting at their 79th Annual Meeting in Del Mar, California. The event featured the election of the Board of Directors and Chairman, as well as industry and committee updates.

The Board of Directors is made up of 47 men and women from operations located from as far south as Coachella Valley with fresh table grape vineyards, to as far north as Lake County with pear production. David Jackson (Family Tree Farms) was re-elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 2015/16 fiscal year.
The organization's officers are nominated to serve for a one-year period and are selected by a committee of past Board Chairs.

The full slate of officers includes:
CHAIR: David Jackson (Family Tree Farms) - Reedley-based tree fruit and berry shipper
FIRST VICE CHAIR: Harold McClarty (HMC Farms) - Kingsburg-based tree fruit and fresh grape shipper
SECOND VICE CHAIR: Randy Giumarra (Giumarra Vineyards) - Bakersfield-based fresh grape and tree fruit shipper
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Louis Pandol (Pandol Bros., Inc.) - Delano-based fresh grape shipper

The Board welcomed new director Bill Chandler of Chandler Farms (Selma). They also gave their thanks to three exiting directors: Stan Cosart of W.F. Cosart Packing Co. (Exeter), Tom Schultz of Chase National Kiwi Farms (Marysville), and Carol Chandler of Chandler Farms (Selma). The Association’s Board meets three times a year to take action on regulatory and legislative issues at the state, federal and international level.

Prior to the Annual Membership Meeting, the Annual Industry Workshop featured three speakers: Dave Corsi of Wegmans, David McInerney of FreshDirect, and Dr. Cathy Enright of The Biotechnology Industry Organization. Mr. Corsi shared his thoughts and perspective on issues having the greatest impact on marketing
fresh fruits. Specifically, Mr. Corsi discussed the issue of food safety in relation to fresh fruit. Mr. McInerney’s presentation concentrated on the relationship between growers and shippers. Dr. Enright, an industry leader when it comes to GMO’s, presented on perspective impacting the fresh fruit industry in relation to the use of
genetically altered products.

For more information:
Barry Bedwell
Tel: (559) 226-6330
Email: bbedwell@cafreshfruit.com