DAVIS, CA - The Center for Produce Safety is expanding on its work to fund produce safety research with a “Campaign for Produce Safety.”

A major funding initiative, the campaign is designed to secure $20 million in funding for the cause over the next five years, according to a press release.

"Produce safety is an issue that affects us all," said Bruce Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Taylor Farms, who has made a lead gift to the campaign. Taylor Farms and PMA have each contributed $1 million to the cause. "When an outbreak occurs, consumers see it as an industry-wide problem, regardless of brand or product. That's why it's in the best interests of each one of us to join together, get involved and financially support CPS's efforts to advance real-world, practical research that can be put to use right away to ensure positive food safety outcomes."

Already contributions to the campaign come to about $4,720,000, which the center stated demonstrates the strong conviction and shared responsibility to food safety from the span of the industry, including growers, shippers, and retailers.

In addition to its $1 million contribution, PMA also continues to cover CPS administrative costs so that all other funds can be used exclusively for research purposes.

"PMA has been a major supporter of CPS since day one because of what it stands for: a partnership committed to finding science-based answers to food safety issues facing the fresh produce industry," Bryan Silbermann, PMA Chief Executive Officer, said in the release. "There is no more vital issue facing our membership, no more important way to address concerns held by consumers than doing everything in our power to find solutions and then implement them."

Kent Shoemaker, CEO of Lipman Produce and early supporters echoed these sentiments, saying that produce safety is critical to not only success as an industry, but to our survival.

Stephen Patricio, CPS's Chairman and the one who heads up the Campaign for Produce Safety, said that this private-public partnership is a core strength of CPS. "Our goal has always been to augment knowledge gaps with science-based actionable research that the industry can use to make our produce safer. That goal will be further advanced later this year when we announce the research projects selected to receive our latest $2 million in funding."

So far the Center for Produce Safety has provided $16.4 million total to this critically need funding since its inception in 2007.

The following is the list of Campaign for Produce Safety contributors as of September 21, 2015, with asterisks distinguishing those who have contributed both to this campaign and past CPS fundraising efforts.

Contribution of $1,000,000+

• Produce Marketing Association*
• Taylor Farms*

Contribution of $500,000 - $999,999

• Dole

Contribution of $250,000 - $499,999

• California Melon Research Board* / California Cantaloupe Advisory Board*
• Georgia Pacific*
• Tanimura & Antle*

Contribution of $100,000 - $249,999

• GreenGate Fresh
• JV Smith Companies*
• Lipman Produce
• Pacific International Marketing
• Western Precooling Systems
• Church Brothers / True Leaf Farms
• International Paper*
• California Fresh Fruit Association
• Driscoll's*
• Florida Tomato Committee*
• McEntire Produce, Inc.
• Contribution up to $99,999
• Monsanto Company*
• Sunview Marketing International*
  

According to the release, additional commitments will be announced on October 23rd at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit in Atlanta, GA.

To become a contributor, contact Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Executive Director, Center for Produce Safety at (530) 757-5777 or via email at [email protected].

Center for Produce Safety