IFPA and United members vote overwhelmingly for merger
IFPA and United members vote overwhelmingly for merger
CHICAGO -- United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association Chairman Nick Tompkins and International Fresh-cut Produce Association Chairman Mark Miller announced at the May 6 opening general session of the United Produce Show that their respective memberships have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the two organizations merging.
"More than 98 percent of members voting supported the merger, launching a new partnership between members of our two associations and a strong platform to invite all other companies in the produce supply chain to join in our essential mission to promote our industry," Mr. Tompkins, chief executive officer of Apio Inc. in Guadalupe, CA, said in a May 9 statement.
"This is a merger of two strong, independent and respected associations," said Mr. Miller of Fresh From Texas in San Antonio, TX. "Combined, IFPA and United will bring unparalleled leadership and staff expertise to you in public policy, food safety, marketing, nutrition and health, education, leadership development, media communications and supply-chain issues from field to fork. Our goal is simple: to serve our members with greater resources, greater expertise and greater efficiency than ever before."
The boards of IFPA and United have now authorized their respective officers and executive staff to complete the legal requirements necessary to execute the merger as soon as possible. Each board will appoint its four officers as an interim Leadership Transition Steering Committee to oversee merger details. IFPA Chairman Miller and incoming United Chairman Maureen Marshall of Torrey Farms Inc. in Elba, NY, will serve as co-chairs of the steering Committee during the transition period.
Upon completion of the merger, member companies in each association will automatically become members of the United Fresh Produce Association for the remainder of 2006. Companies may then renew their 2007 memberships in the single association. The association's headquarters will stay at the current United offices at 1901 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, DC. It will continue to have its formal Western office in Salinas, CA, with staff field offices in Davis, CA, and Toulouse, France.
"More than 98 percent of members voting supported the merger, launching a new partnership between members of our two associations and a strong platform to invite all other companies in the produce supply chain to join in our essential mission to promote our industry," Mr. Tompkins, chief executive officer of Apio Inc. in Guadalupe, CA, said in a May 9 statement.
"This is a merger of two strong, independent and respected associations," said Mr. Miller of Fresh From Texas in San Antonio, TX. "Combined, IFPA and United will bring unparalleled leadership and staff expertise to you in public policy, food safety, marketing, nutrition and health, education, leadership development, media communications and supply-chain issues from field to fork. Our goal is simple: to serve our members with greater resources, greater expertise and greater efficiency than ever before."
The boards of IFPA and United have now authorized their respective officers and executive staff to complete the legal requirements necessary to execute the merger as soon as possible. Each board will appoint its four officers as an interim Leadership Transition Steering Committee to oversee merger details. IFPA Chairman Miller and incoming United Chairman Maureen Marshall of Torrey Farms Inc. in Elba, NY, will serve as co-chairs of the steering Committee during the transition period.
Upon completion of the merger, member companies in each association will automatically become members of the United Fresh Produce Association for the remainder of 2006. Companies may then renew their 2007 memberships in the single association. The association's headquarters will stay at the current United offices at 1901 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, DC. It will continue to have its formal Western office in Salinas, CA, with staff field offices in Davis, CA, and Toulouse, France.
