Produce Marketing Association (PMA) will hold an executive workshop April 19 to mobilize the industry in support of the UN International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (IYFV). The workshop will feature leaders from government and non-profit networks who will share tangible outputs from the programs they lead to drive access, availability and consumption of fresh produce. Attendees will also be the first to hear about the PMA Growing a Healthier World Challenge, which will be announced by PMA CEO, Cathy Burns.
PMA first announced its support of the UN’s International Year of Fruits and Vegetables at the virtual Fresh Summit in the Fall of 2020. The initiative recognizes the role the agriculture sector plays in providing healthy, affordable food for a growing world.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of our industry, the IYFV effort highlights the imperative that in order to drive consumption, we must also consider the implications of, and for, production, labor, technology, sustainability, food safety, policy, trade and more. PMA’s executive workshop on April 19 will be hosted by PMA’s chief science officer Max Teplitski and will feature six organizations leading impactful programs supporting the IYFV priorities and PMA’s vision of growing a healthier world.
“Each year should be a year of fruits and vegetables, but in 2021 it has a special significance. As we come out of the global pandemic, we are at a nexus of conversations about health, sustainability and social justice” said Teplitski. “Our industry is not just serving the healthiest products on any table, we are also providing solutions to some of the greatest barriers to increasing access to these healthy, sustainably produced fruits and vegetables.”
The event will be provided with language translation in English, Spanish and Portuguese and take place on April 19, 2021 from 10:00am – 12:00pm EST. The workshop will feature leaders Michel Nischan, co-founder/chairman, Wholesome Wave (U.S.); Alejandra Domper, executive secretary, 5 al Día (Chile); Mark Nicolson, policy director, Fair Food Network (U.S.); Lisa Helfman, founder and board chair, Brighter Bites (U.S.); Floria Paris, director general, Fundación 5xDia, A.C. (México); and Mallory Koenings, national program leader, National Institute of Food & Agriculture, USDA (U.S.).
Registration is free and open now. Attendees will also hear from PMA’s Cathy Burns as she announces the PMA Growing a Healthier World Challenge. The Challenge, which focuses on recognizing outstanding efforts, will invite industry members to build on the examples of the programs highlighted and to share their stories by using #GrowingAHealthierWorld. All participants will be eligible for the PMA Humanitarian of Year Award to be presented at Fresh Summit in October 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
To learn more about PMA’s efforts to support the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, click here.
For more information:
Siobhan May
Produce Marketing Association
Tel: +1 (302) 781-5855
SMay@pma.com
www.pma.com