Center for Produce Safety continues fundraising campaign; $6M raised, $9M to go

The Center for Produce Safety launched its latest fundraising campaign in January with a goal to raise $15 million to support its work for the next five years, and so far it has raised nearly $6 million.

Taylor Farms and Western Growers have each donated more than $1 million, and Dole has donated $750,000, according to a news release. Dozens more companies have also contributed.

Natalie Dyenson, vice president of food safety and quality for Dole, noted the importance of CPS’s work for the industry as a whole.

“The produce industry has been challenged by a series of food safety issues the past few years,” Dyenson said in the release. “Food safety isn’t something that affects only this grower or that grower; it affects every grower, it affects every company, and most importantly it affects every consumer. Produce is a healthy option with many health benefits, and as an industry we need to ensure that we are producing the safest possible food, and investing and following the science is the way for us to do that.”

She described it as necessary for the industry to work to keep its positive reputation intact.

“Selfishly, Dole is a really big, well-known brand, and we want to protect it. We have implemented a lot of [CPS] research in our own program,” Dyenson said in the release. “But we also want to protect this industry that is a big part of our identity. The work product that comes out of CPS’s research program is really important for the industry. We want to see that continue for everyone in our industry.”

The release included the following list of contributors to the CPS campaign as of April 30.

Diamond Level Supporters, $1,000,000+

Taylor Farms

Western Growers

Platinum Level Supporters, $500,000 - $999,999

Dole Fresh Vegetables/Dole Food Company

Gold Level Supporters, $250,000 - $499,999

California Fresh Fruit Association

Sysco

Tanimura & Antle

Washington State Tree Fruit Association

Silver Level Supporters, $100,000 - $249,999

Lipman Family Farms

JV Smith Companies

Promotora Agricola El Toro

Western Precooling

Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic

McEntire Produce, Inc.

Driscoll's

The Giumarra Companies

GreenGate Fresh

iFoodDecisionSciences

Mission Produce, Inc.

Pacific International Marketing

Bronze-Plus Level Supporters, $50,000 to $99,999

The Oppenheimer Group

Amigo Farms

Bonduelle Fresh Americas

California Avocado Commission

DiMare Fresh

GoodFarms

L&M Companies

New York Apple Association

Bronze Level Supporters, up to $49,999:

Church Brothers

Coastline Family Farms, Inc.

Little Bear Produce

California Cantaloupe Advisory Board

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.

Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association

Diversified Restaurant Systems, Inc.

Florida Tomato Committee

Pasquinelli Produce Co.

California Melon Research Board

Tyger Sales and Marketing, LLC

Wish Farms

National Watermelon Association

Blue Book Services, Inc.

Primus Labs

Pacific Ag Pak, Inc