United Fresh, GLOBALG.A.P. host important industry conference
United Fresh, GLOBALG.A.P. host important industry conference
GLOBALG.A.P., one of the larger farm certification standards organizations, and United Fresh are inviting United Fresh Convention attendees to stay in Chicago for an exciting one-day conference, Thursday, June 11, with leading agricultural industry and government representatives.
The TOUR 2015 event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the McCormick Place Convention Center features a keynote address by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor on the FDA's view of the role of on-farm audits in the coming era of the landmark FSMA legislation.
The first session examines food safety harmonization and audit fatigue reduction. Moderated by David Gombas, United Fresh senior vice president of food safety, the session's panelists include Alpine Fresh's Peter Hill; Costco's Craig Wilson; Florida Tomato Exchange's Reggie Brown; Moreland Fruit Farm's Fred Finney; Walmart's Kerry Bridges; and Wegmans' Bill Pool.
Up next, GLOBALG.A.P. explores the rising trend of going beyond food safety with a look into sustainability and worker welfare concerns. Environmental consultant Robert Denny moderates this session with panelists Gavin Bailey of Walmart; Mary O'Rourke with the U.S. Department of Labor; Chris Waldrop of the Consumer Federation of America; Driscoll's Strawberry Associates' Tamara Muruetagoiena; and Craig Wilson with Costco.
The third session looks ahead to the future role of third-party audits in the changing landscape of farm certification, and includes such panelists as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Ken Peterson; the Equitable Food Initiative's Peter O'Driscoll; SQFI's LeAnn Chuboff; Equicert's Michael Hari; and sustainability consultant Roberta Anderson.
"These are critical issues for our industry, so I encourage you to consider extending your stay through Thursday's conference," said Tom Stenzel, chief executive officer of United Fresh.
GLOBALG.A.P.'s President Kristian Moeller said, "We greatly value our partnership with United Fresh and are pleased to offer our first North American TOUR event in conjunction with their convention."
More information about the program is available at http://www.unitedfreshshow.org/Content/GLOBALGAP-TOUR2015.