WGA and FFVA announce strategic partnership
WGA and FFVA announce strategic partnership
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association based in Maitland and Western Growers Association in Irvine, CA, announced Sept. 28 that they have entered into a memorandum of understanding that will increase cooperation, collaboration and the sharing of some member services between their organizations.
"Western Growers is proud that this strategic partnership with Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association will lead to greater access to important shared member services," said Tom Nassif, president and CEO of WGA. "It strengthens an already outstanding relationship between our two associations that have some shared membership.
"Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is equally excited about this partnership. We see this as a way to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of both WGA and FFVA and to further enhance member value in each association, said Mike Stuart, president and CEO of FFVA. "We think this makes great sense as it combines East Coast and West Coast grower-packer-shipper perspectives that we think will make us both stronger in the short and long term.
"There are several areas where WGA and FFVA can immediately cooperate and share services, added Mr. Nassif. "For example, FFVA has a well-established H2A certification and consultation service that WGA members can use now with the expected passage of comprehensive immigration reform. Other areas for closer collaboration and coordination exist in the federal government relations and political action areas.
"Similarly, Western Growers has a well-experienced trade practices service that FFVA members can participate in immediately, said Mr. Stuart, "and there are many other member services in which both organizations can further cooperate such as science and technology, communications and food safety.
Both organizations will maintain their own governance and financial structures, but the volunteer and staff leadership of both organizations will attend each other's annual meetings and periodically meet to discuss common issues and goals.
"Western Growers is proud that this strategic partnership with Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association will lead to greater access to important shared member services," said Tom Nassif, president and CEO of WGA. "It strengthens an already outstanding relationship between our two associations that have some shared membership.
"Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is equally excited about this partnership. We see this as a way to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of both WGA and FFVA and to further enhance member value in each association, said Mike Stuart, president and CEO of FFVA. "We think this makes great sense as it combines East Coast and West Coast grower-packer-shipper perspectives that we think will make us both stronger in the short and long term.
"There are several areas where WGA and FFVA can immediately cooperate and share services, added Mr. Nassif. "For example, FFVA has a well-established H2A certification and consultation service that WGA members can use now with the expected passage of comprehensive immigration reform. Other areas for closer collaboration and coordination exist in the federal government relations and political action areas.
"Similarly, Western Growers has a well-experienced trade practices service that FFVA members can participate in immediately, said Mr. Stuart, "and there are many other member services in which both organizations can further cooperate such as science and technology, communications and food safety.
Both organizations will maintain their own governance and financial structures, but the volunteer and staff leadership of both organizations will attend each other's annual meetings and periodically meet to discuss common issues and goals.
