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
