CALIFORNIA - Leaders across the fresh produce industry have truly risen to the occasion over the past year, and it is worth taking a moment to appreciate all we have done. From new partnerships to community-focused strategies, no one shied away from lending a helping hand. Ian LeMay, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA), is one industry champion taking a beat to look back at all we have accomplished.

“From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, CFFA partnered with organizations like the California Farmworker Foundation to provide personal protective equipment to those who needed it most,” LeMay said in an article featured by the Bakersfield Californian. “Together, we distributed hundreds of thousands of N-95 and single-use surgical masks to agricultural employees across the state of California. CFFA and CFF also partnered with the California Table Grape Commission to launch Safety Starts with You, a multi-channel public health education campaign that included Spanish-language radio messages providing farmworkers with information about how to stay safe during the pandemic.”

LeMay went on to note how CFFA supported the COVID-19 Farmworker Relief Fund, which provided financial support to farm employees. With an understanding of how devastating this pandemic has been for many, the association also put forth extensive efforts to ensure future safety.

“CFFA members have already vaccinated tens of thousands of employees in close partnership with the state, counties, and local community-based organizations,” LeMay continued. “CFFA will continue to push for even greater access to vaccines to protect our workers.”

To read the article in its entirety, please click here.

To all of our hardworking industry friends out there, never forget the important sacrifices you have made over the past year. The world certainly will not.

California Fresh Fruit Association