SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) has welcomed Ron Ratto, President of Ratto Brothers, as its newest Chairman. Several other new members and officers were also elected members during LGMA’s meeting of the Advisory Board held Friday in Salinas. 

Ron Ratto was previously the association’s Vice Chairman, where he has been serving for the past three years. Victor Tognazzini, General Manager of Tri-Valley Vegetable Harvesting Inc., is the new Vice Chairman, rising from his former position as Treasurer. Outgoing Chairman Ryan Talley of Talley Farms, will remain on the LGMA Board.

Ratto’s family began growing vegetables in California over 100 years ago and today produces a number of leafy greens products including chard, mustard greens, leaf lettuces and cabbage. Ron will serve as the fourth Chairman of the LGMA.

Vice Chairman Tognazzini is a founding LGMA Board member. In addition to his farming activities, Tognazzini oversees Tri-valley Vegetable Harvesting operations and is the founder and director of Food Safety Consulting Services.

LGMA’s new Treasurer Steve Church has also been a long-time Board member. Church is Co-Founder of Church Brothers Produce and has been involved in many facets of the vegetable industry since the early 1960s.

New additions to the Board include: 

• Juanita Jenny Chavez, Dole Fresh Vegetables
• Manny Alcala, Duda Company
• Gurmail Mudahar, Tanimura & Antle
• Steve Brazeel, Sunterra Produce
• Kristina Nunes, The Nunes Company

According to a press release, all new representatives are from the District One growing area, which encompasses Salinas, Watsonville, the San Joaquin Valley and Kern County.

LGMA