Nogales, Ariz.-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has taken part in a COVID-19 testing event, is planning a series of webinars and has announced two promotions.
Testing for the coronavirus was held Nov. 10, 12 and 13, said FPAA president Lance Jungmeyer.
“We worked with local health providers and Arizona State University,” he said.
The event, made possible by a state grant, was hosted with the produce industry in mind but was open to the public.
It was designed to set a baseline to determine where COVID-19 was in the community at the start of the season, Jungmeyer said.
Results were available in 24-48 hours.
Those who tested positive were advised to isolate and take other precautions.
Those who did not have COVID-19 received the message “‘Protect your negative’ — make sure you are masking up, handwashing and frequently disinfecting surfaces,” he said.
People let their guard down during the summer, Jungmeyer said. But now, during the holiday season, it’s time to be extra cautious.
“It’s important to remember that we have personal responsibility to ourselves, the community and to where we work,” he said.
As of November, the network of local produce distributors had been fortunate.
“We didn’t see any companies that were knocked out because of (COVID-19) last season, and we don’t want to see that this season, which is why we’re trying to put our best foot forward at the beginning and make sure we’re doing a lot of testing,” he said.
Members of the produce industry and the public also were encouraged to get a flu shot.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the association did not hold its Spring Policy Summit this year.
Instead of the usual two-day event, FPAA will hold a series of one-hour webinars throughout the season on topics such as the impact of tariffs; International Trade Commission investigations of exports of blueberries, strawberries, bell peppers and certain other commodities to the U.S.; and a look at the future of trade, imports, inspections and the overall U.S.-Mexico relationship, Jungmeyer said.
On the personnel side, FPAA staff members Georgina Felix and Emmis Yubeta have been promoted.
Felix, most recently foreign affairs director, has added director of operations to her title; and Yubeta, most recently membership programs coordinator, has been named director of membership and events.
The association also is considering hiring a communications director, Jungmeyer said.
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