LOS ANGELES, CA - The results are in, and already this week’s much-anticipated CPS Symposium is one of our industry’s biggest events of the summer. From insights into how our industry’s experts are tackling the food safety dilemma to in-depth discussions with those leading food safety research, the CPS Symposium is providing a space to answer any and all questions and get to the bottom of just what our industry needs to keep delivering safe, high quality produce to the end-consumer.

I tapped Walter Ram, Vice President of Food Safety for Giumarra, to find out what we can expect to emerge post-symposium in the way of ideas, solutions, and even innovative game-changers.

“There is nothing else like the CPS Symposium; it’s where scientists release the results of their CPS-funded research projects. These projects are produce-specific and are intended to help the industry in a number of ways, including developing improved practices, filling knowledge gaps, and pure science that has long-term goals in mind,” Walter explained. “This is an opportunity for companies to have their food safety and management personnel see firsthand how the science evolves and for them to determine how they might use the most current information at their own operations.”

And, just like last year, Walter is expecting companies across our industry to walk away with a few implementable solutions gleaned from the panels, discussions, and networking opportunities. He noted that since CPS 2018, Giumarra has improved its field packing sanitation practices, thanks to research presented by Dr. Laura Strawn at last year’s symposium.

“I’ve never failed to come away from this event without learning a lot, and we have been able to put that information to work on our farms, in our facilities, and in improving our food safety programs,” Walter continued. “It’s also a great place for networking and comparing notes with colleagues.”

Walter is also on the CPS Technical Committee, which helps fund food safety projects that are presented during the show.

“Food safety has changed our industry during the last 20 years, but we have had to play catch-up with other sectors of the food supply that had nearly a century head start on us. CPS was created to fill that gap by enabling research designed specifically for fresh produce. CPS is where we get an ‘under the hood’ look to the future to develop the tools we will need to take the industry to the next level,” Walter concluded.

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Giumarra