WASHINGTON, DC - Food safety is essential in our industry, and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is continuing to encourage this mindset with the newest batch of fresh produce leaders. The association recently welcomed the fourth cohort, comprised of a variety of IFPA member companies, to its Produce Safety Immersion Program.

“IFPA has long advocated that produce safety is not something you add on to your business; rather it is the entire way you do business. It is a cultural imperative that permeates throughout an organization,” said IFPA Chief Food Safety and Regulatory Officer Dr. Jennifer McEntire. “The investment these eight IFPA member companies have made in strengthening the skills of their food safety professionals shows their organizational commitment to food safety as well as talent development.”

Sponsored by Calavo Growers and EcoLab, the 6-month program consists of a mix of virtual and in-person education opportunities designed to develop the technical capacity, critical thinking skills, and leadership attributes of the next generation of produce safety professionals. Since the Produce Safety Immersion Program’s inception in 2020, 38 companies have invested in building their food safety capacity.

Participating in this year’s program are:

• Stephanie Anderson, Food Safety Coordinator, Potandon Produce
• Maria Castaneda, Quality & Food Safety Manager, Diamond Onions
• Alex Castaneda, Field Food Safety Compliance Supervisor, Grimmway Farms
• Betsy Handelman, Director of Food Safety and Compliance, Produce Alliance
• Charles Meadows, Food Safety Manager, L&M Companies
• Sarah Ann Scarborough, Quality Assurance Supervisor, Grimmway Farms
• Haley Strange, Food Safety Manager, Plenty
• Ana Valladares, Food Safety Supervisor, Naturipe Farms

In addition to the program curricula, noted the release, immersion program fellows also have access to peer-to-peer networking and mentorship connections.

“What’s really interesting is that two of the three mentors for this cohort are alumni from the first class of 2020,” added Dr. McEntire. “This reinforces the value the program delivers and highlights the mentors’ desire to give back to an initiative that helped them early in their careers.”

Serving as mentors are:

• Deadra Barnett, Quality & Sanitation Manager, DNO Produce

• Kinsey Clishe, Food Safety Manager, North Bay Produce
• Richard Warsaw, Vice President, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Braga Fresh Foods

“As a graduate of Class One of the IFPA Produce Safety Immersion Program, I can attest that it was incredibly valuable for my career by strengthening both hard science and soft skills that are necessary to excel in a produce safety role. Class 4 will gain not only technical knowledge to improve their critical thinking and produce safety skills but will also participate in professional development and networking opportunities to foster more confidence in their roles,” said Kinsey Clishe, Food Safety Manager at North Bay Produce and mentor for Class 4.

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International Fresh Produce Association