Brian Kocher and Wesley Wilson to Co-Chair New Joint Committee on Responsible Labor Practices for PMA and United Fresh
WASHINGTON D.C. & NEWARK, DE - Chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, Russ Mounce, and Chairman of the United Fresh Produce Association, Brian Kocher, sent out a letter informing members of a new initiative they have joined together on.
“In late 2015, the Boards of Directors of PMA and United Fresh formed a Joint Committee on Responsible Labor Practices,” the two Chairmen wrote. “The committee's charge is to evaluate appropriate labor practices across the produce and floral supply chain, potentially leading to an industry-wide, global approach to responsible labor practices and consistent expectations among trading partners and the public.”
Brian Kocher, COO of Castellini Group of companies, will lead on behalf of PMA, Co-Chairing with Walmart’s Senior Director for Responsible Sourcing, Wesley Wilson, on behalf of United Fresh.
Once final, the two associations plan to publicize the entire list of members. At its launch, the list is made up of 16 participants, evenly divided between produce suppliers and buyers, while respective staff CEOs Tom Stenzel of United Fresh and Bryan Silbermann of PMA lead the project.
“We want our members to know that this will not be a short process or an easy one. But, we believe this is a critical discussion we need to have as an industry. We anticipate this will be the beginning of a continuing dialogue with our members, the broader global produce industry and other stakeholders,” the Chairmen wrote, emphasizing that this is an important issue for the industry and that transparency is an increasing interest for stakeholders.
Also keeping in mind that multiple perspectives are critical to bringing consensus, and the wide range of diversity between different commodities in the industry, PMA and United Fresh want to meet with grower organizations, labor employers, and others serving different aspects of the supply chain to understand specific views.
“With foundational work behind it, the committee has now issued a Request for Proposals aimed at engaging a consultant with expertise in this field to help support the committee's outreach and work products,” the two said of the next step.
With a decision on the consultant is expected by June, a meeting is scheduled for later that month to review and approve a work plan for the selected consultant.
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