May/June 2022 - 26

THE PULSE
INDUSTRY
INSIDER
Fresh Express commits $500K to safety research
Value-added salad leader Fresh Express has contributed
$500,000 to Center for Produce Safety's current capital
campaign to fund fresh produce food-safety research.
In making the announcement with CPS officials, company
President John P. Olivo urged the fresh produce industry to
" drive together " and " never rest " in the shared quest to enhance
produce safety.
Fresh Express's support of CPS is motivated by two drivers,
according to President John Olivo: the company's foundational
commitment to product safety and to further CPS's produce
safety-centric mission to fund science, find solutions and fuel
change. He urged the fresh produce industry to " drive together "
in a shared quest to improve produce safety.
Fresh Express Vice President, Food Safety and Quality John
Gurrisi noted that after the 2006 fresh spinach foodborne illness
outbreak, the industry experienced a turning point. That's when
Fresh Express first invested in peer-reviewed research to learn
more about foodborne pathogens and possible root causes of
leafy greens contamination.
" Those projects yielded some eye-opening results, and
reinforced the absolute necessity for shared food safety research
to protect public health, " Gurrisi said.
Washington wine industry adds certified
program
The state of Washington now has a certified sustainability
Gotham Greens partners with the Dead on
marketing campaign
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Gotham Greens is partnering
with one of classic rock's most iconic bands on a marketing
and packaging campaign. Grateful Greens is a limited-edition
collaboration between Gotham Greens and the Grateful Dead.
The deal reimagines Gotham Greens' best-selling Gourmet
Medley lettuce as Grateful Greens with custom packaging
featuring the band's iconic Dancing Bears and a QR code that
unlocks curated content, including a custom Grateful Dead
playlist to make cooking in the kitchen more joyful. Plus, for
every package of Grateful Greens sold, Gotham Greens and the
Grateful Dead will plant trees in partnership with Forest Nation.
" Over the years, what has really stuck with me is not only
the music itself but also the monumental cultural impact of the
Grateful Dead community, " said Viraj Puri, co-founder and CEO of
Gotham Greens. " Alongside Gotham Greens' core commitment to
the highest standards of sustainability, cultivating a meaningful
community is equally important to us at every level of our company. "
Grateful Greens can be found at grocery stores nationwide,
including Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Albertsons, Sprouts
Farmers Market and others through September 2022.
26 MAY/JUNE 2 0 2 2
program for winegrapes.
Sustainable WA is a collaboration between the Washington
Winegrowers, the Washington State Wine Commission, the
Washington Wine Industry Foundation, and Washington Wine
Institute.
It is the first certified sustainability program built specifically
for Washington vineyards. To achieve certification, growers must
commit to sustainable viticultural practices and pass a third-party
audit to ensure operations meet established standards. After initial
certification, Sustainable WA vineyards require an audit every three
years during which continual improvement must be shown.
The program offers certification for vineyards with plans to add
certification for wineries in the future. Wineries may utilize the
Sustainable WA logo on wine labels to signify the wine is made
with certified grapes.
Sustainable WA will begin to certify vineyards this summer.
" Data shows the demand for sustainable products to be
high, " said Steve Warner, president of the Washington State
Wine Commission. " This program is imperative for the future of
Washington wine not only to ensure healthy, productive vineyards
and wineries for generations to come, but also to remain relevant
in the global marketplace. "
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Frozen food industry takes message to Congress
Dozens of frozen food industry executives participated in
the American Frozen Food Institute's (AFFI) Government Action
Summit to discuss the contributions of frozen food and promote
science-based public policy solutions that will tackle the most
pressing issues facing the industry and consumers.
During nearly 60 meetings with Congressional offices and key
committees, AFFI members discussed food safety issues -
including the need for science- and risk-based approaches to
food safety that reduce regulatory barriers while advancing public
health. AFFI members also shared the role of frozen food in
tackling hunger, nutrition insecurity and food waste through federal
feeding programs and nutrition policies. In addition, AFFI members
shared their strategies for mitigating supply chain disruptions with
the goal of keeping frozen foods on Americans' tables.
AFFI's Government Action Summit, held virtually this year
May 10-12, is an annual event that brings together frozen food
leaders from around the country to meet with policymakers in
Washington, D.C.
To learn more about AFFI's advocacy priorities, visit www.affi.org.
http://www.produceprocessing.net http://www.affi.org
May/June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2022
