Since its inception in 2007, the Center for Produce Safety has provided $16.4 million to fund critically needed, actionable produce-safety research. To expand this vital work, the center announced the “Campaign for Produce Safety,” a major fundraising initiative designed to secure $20 million in funding over the next five years.

Initial contributions to the campaign already total $4.72 million, demonstrating a strong conviction that food safety is a shared responsibility of the entire produce supply chain, from growers to shippers to retailers. Several industry leaders have stepped up early in the campaign to signal their support and their intent to advance timely research to keep produce products safe in the United States and worldwide.

“Produce safety is not only critical to our success as an industry, it is critical to our survival," Kent Shoemaker, chief executive officer of Lipman Produce, said in a press release. "Lipman is committed to more than writing a check. We are ‘all in’ to share best practices with the other grower-shippers who understand the importance of food safety.”

“Produce safety is an issue that affects us all," added Bruce Taylor, chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms, which has made a lead gift to the campaign. "When an outbreak occurs, consumers see it as an industry-wide problem, regardless of brand or product. That’s why it’s in the best interests of each one of us to join together, get involved and financially support CPS’s efforts to advance real-world, practical research that can be put to use right away to ensure positive food-safety outcomes.”

Taylor Farms and the Produce Marketing Association have contributed $1 million each to the Campaign for Produce Safety. In addition to its contribution, PMA has also continued to cover ongoing administrative costs for CPS, enabling industry and public funds to go exclusively to research.

“PMA has been a major supporter of CPS since day one because of what it stands for: a partnership committed to finding science-based answers to food-safety issues facing the fresh produce industry," Bryan Silbermann, PMA's CEO, said in the release. "There is no more vital issue facing our membership, no more important way to address concerns held by consumers than doing everything in our power to find solutions and then implement them.”

The Center for Produce Safety was established as a partnership between private and public sectors. Historically, private contributions have been matched one-to-one with public funds.

"This private-public partnership is a core strength of CPS," Stephen Patricio, CPS’s chairman, who also heads the Campaign for Produce Safety, said in the release. "Our goal has always been to augment knowledge gaps with science-based actionable research that the industry can use to make our produce safer. That goal will be further advanced later this year when we announce the research projects selected to receive our latest $2 million in funding."

The following is the list of Campaign for Produce Safety contributors as of Sept. 21:

Contribution of more than $1 million

• Produce Marketing Association *
• Taylor Farms *

Contribution of $500,000 - $999,999

• Dole

Contribution of $250,000 - $499,999

• California Melon Research Board * / California Cantaloupe Advisory Board *
• Georgia Pacific *
• Tanimura & Antle *

Contribution of $100,000 - $249,999

• GreenGate Fresh
• JV Smith Cos. *
• Lipman Produce
• Pacific International Marketing
• Western Precooling Systems
• Church Bros. / True Leaf Farms
• International Paper *
• California Fresh Fruit Association
• Driscoll’s *
• Florida Tomato Committee *
• McEntire Produce Inc.

Contribution up to $99,999

• Monsanto Co. *
• Sunview Marketing International *

Companies and organizations distinguished by an asterisk have given to the CPS Campaign for Produce Safety in addition to past CPS fundraising efforts. Those interested in becoming a contributor can contact Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, executive director of the Center for Produce Safety, at 530/757.5777 or [email protected].