California LGMA launches information website on leafy greens
The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement has launched a website, lettuceinfo.org, as the ultimate resource on “everything you need to know about lettuce and leafy greens.”
The site is designed to educate everyone from registered dietitians to consumers, including influencers and professional food writers, according to a news release.
“This website contains information about how lettuce and leafy greens are grown, what farmers are doing to make sure their products are safe and why these foods are among the safest, healthiest things we can feed our families,” April Ward, marketing communications director for the California LGMA, said in the release. “And, if there’s ever a problem with the safety of lettuce, this website is the place you’ll find updates and information to make sure we stay safe.”
The organization created the site to inform consumers following an outbreak or recall traced to leafy greens, to address questions and concerns “that can create fear about eating this normally healthy food,” according to the release.
Ward said that in the event of a broad advisory, (such as the Food and Drug Administration’s warning for consumers to not eat any romaine just before Thanksgiving in 2018), lettuceinfo.org will link to reputable sources of information such as the FDA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“But our goal is also to provide information that can help people understand the situation better,” Ward said in an e-mail. “For example, when the FDA shares information about specific growing regions, a typical consumer might not know Salinas from Santa Maria or Imperial Valley.
“This resource will provide information that can help to bridge the gap between consumers and farmers, so that people can continue to enjoy lettuce and leafy greens,” she said in the e-mail.
The LGMA is not a typical marketing organization because its primary role is to verify growers are following science-based food safety practices.
“The LGMA does have a role to communicate with people about its activities,” Ward said in the release. “To ensure the website delivers accurate information, we’ve pulled together a team of experts in nutrition, farming and communication to serve as advisors.”
One of those advisers is Kathleen Chrismer, whose daughter, Rylee Gustafson became ill during the 2006 E. coli outbreak linked to spinach, which led to the formation of the LGMA. Christmer is a public member on the LGMA board of directors.
“This website was created because it’s important to share information with people like registered dietitians and bloggers who can help us communicate about the importance of food safety and making sure these healthy foods are, in fact, safe to eat,” Chrismer said in the release. “But we also need to remind people that if an outbreak occurs, real people may become sick. People like my daughter.”
The advisors, listed under the “About Us” section, are:
- Jan Berk, chief operating officer at San Miguel Produce;
- Andrea Chavez, manager at Talley Farms;
- Chrismer, a food safety advocate;
- Neva Cochran, dietitian nutritionist;
- Chris Drew, chief operating officer at Ocean Mist Farms;
- Jessica Foust, chef/registered dietitian at The Food Group;
- Cara Harbstreet, registered dietitian and consultant;
- Leah McGrath, registered dietitian at Ingles Supermarkets;
- Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and CEO of the Produce for Better Health Foundation;
- Dan Sutton, general manager of the Pismo-Oceano Vegetable Exchange;
- Jonathan Valdez, registered dietitian; and
- Mark Wright, farm manager at Filice Farms
The LGMA established new social media channels for the website on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
