The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has finalized an exciting list of speakers for its 47th annual Produce Convention & Golf Tournament.  The convention will be held Nov. 5-7 in Tubac, AZ, located just north of the largest port of entry for fresh fruits and vegetables from Mexico.

The speakers and valuable education sessions will be held Thursday, Nov. 5 and are a good way for visitors to immerse themselves in the Nogales produce industry and the global initiatives and opportunities in the business.

“Every year we work to bring engaging speakers to cover relevant topics that impact our members and their partners in the industry,” Lance Jungmeyer, FPAA president, said in a press release.  “The caliber of speakers and the knowledge they bring to the table is a valuable part of our annual event. This year is no exception.”

The theme of the education sessions is Forward-Looking, Future-Perfect: Taking Charge of Social Accountability, and the Bottom Line — From the farm to the distribution warehouse, the Mexican produce industry gears up to improve social accountability, worker productivity and environmental stewardship. Three speakers will highlight new and emerging practices that positively affect the workplace, the land and the bottom line.

The following is a snapshot of the afternoon’s sessions:

Social Accountability — Bringing Lessons learned in the Factory to the Fields: Social responsibility specialist Lili Lopez Ceniceros, who has worked with companies including Daniel Cardenas Cevallos, Agricultores en Copropiedad and non-profit organizations on worker programs, highlights how she is helping apply some best practices from multinational corporations to Mexican farms supplying fresh produce to the United States and Canada.

Of Yields and Fields — Boosting Crop Production Using Non-chemical Treatments: Using science to identify ways to affect plant health without leaving chemical residues, Mexican growers have the opportunity to avoid costly FDA holds while appealing to consumer demands for less chemically intensive agriculture. Presented by Matias Mesta, Manager of Bioconsultaria Agricola Integral, a company in Culiacan that specializes in plant treatments yielding a reduced effect on the environment.

Working the Warehouse — Using Technology and Training to Improve Productivity: From the moment of hire at Four Seasons Produce, associates are inducted into a family environment that encourages personal growth and productivity.  Utilizing an innovative electronic picking software, warehouse workers who perform can earn up to 40 percent more, all the while reducing overall operational costs for this Pennsylvania distribution warehouse. Attendees will learn how to apply these lessons in their own warehouse from Ron Carkoski, Four Seasons’ president and chief executive officer, who just completed his term as chairman of United Fresh. Also presenting is Paul Gingrich, director of operations at Four Seasons.               

The FPAA convention will be held at the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa, which is located a few miles north of Nogales. Tubac is also located just 45 minutes south of the Tucson International Airport.