Center for Produce Safety to Host Research Symposium; Joe Pezzini Comments
WOODLAND, CA - We are just over one month away from Center for Produce Safety’s (CPS) 2023 Research Symposium, and boy, is the industry in store for a treat. From June 20–21, CPS will host its event with the focus on making its research learnings relatable to industry members.
“Center for Produce Safety is about ‘fueling change,’ our mission statement ends intentionally with those two words,” said CPS Board Chair Joe Pezzini, who is Taylor Farms’ Senior Director of Agricultural Operations. “Each year, the knowledge transfer needed to fuel that change begins with our Research Symposium.”
Day one will begin with a “Research 101” general session to teach attendees how to analyze and apply CPS research findings. A press release explained that a panel of researchers and industry produce safety leaders will explain how to evaluate CPS research reports and apply them to real-world businesses. That research session will prepare attendees to evaluate the science reports that will follow over the event’s two days.
Final research reports will be followed by breakout sessions to help attendees understand and apply what they’ve learned to their operations.
“While the science we’ll hear is groundbreaking, the symposium’s value doesn’t end with researchers’ reports,” stressed Pezzini. “These breakout discussions will deliver real ROI we can take home to our businesses.”
Day two will open with an exploratory panel discussion. Panelists will include Food Safety Attorney Bill Marler, SmartWash Solutions’ Jim Brennan, and McEntire Produce’s Alexandra Belias.
“Get ready for an honest, unvarnished discussion. Fresh produce food safety has such potential, and the silos are coming down,” said Pezzini. “We all have a role to play.”
Each day will conclude with a wrap-up led by an influential moderator. Day one will also feature a welcoming reception where attendees can meet and talk more with CPS-funded researchers and their student research assistants, who soon will be looking to begin their careers.
“The symposium’s networking is as powerful as the education,” Pezzini said. “From the executive suite to the food safety manager, from growers to processors, this event is designed to meet your needs and help you grow your produce safety capabilities.”
Stay tuned to hear more about this upcoming event.
