Oct 22, 2021

New organization formed by United Fresh, PMA to be outlined in live event

Chief executives representing the new association being formed by the Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association, Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel, will share an important update about the new organization on Oct. 28. The announcement, which will be broadcast live, will include members of the new group’s Executive Committee.

Industry media members are welcome for a live press conference following the update.

Burns and Stenzel will be joined by Executive Committee members Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms; Laura Himes of Walmart; Danny Dumas of Courchesne Larose USA Inc.; Dwight Ferguson of California Agricultural Leadership Foundation; Patrick Vizzone of ANZ Banking; and Martha Hilton of Wegman’s.  These leaders were previously announced as the executive officers of the new association.

“This new association will not simply be a combination of our two great associations,” said Stenzel. “The new association will be a needed evolution for our industry.  We have been hard at work with our industry leaders to create a new association that grows prosperity for all and I am proud to join these officers to share our announcement with the industry and our members.”

The presentation will offer insight on how the new association will serve the industry, how to join the association and highly anticipated details like the name of the new association. Available via the PMA and United Fresh websites, the live broadcast will begin at 12:00 pm PST and 3:00pm EST and will allow all viewers to select a live subtitle translation in Spanish or Portuguese.

“The association exists for the members and because of our member volunteers,” said Burns.  “It will be built on a foundation of strong volunteer leadership from across the supply chain and around the world. Our industry will have a role in many of the critical challenges facing the world in the years to come and, based on the work we’ve already done, I’m excited to create an extraordinary future for fresh produce and floral.”

PMS is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.

Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association brings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.