Ocean Mist Farms hires food safety and quality assurance director

Ocean Mist Farms, a Castroville, Calif.-based grower-marketer of artichokes and fresh produce, has added Kate Burr as director of food safety and quality assurance.

Burr has a wealth of experience and commitment leading the high standards Ocean Mist Farms practices in its food safety and quality assurance programs, according to a news release.

“Kate will play a vital role at Ocean Mist Farms. Food safety is central to everything we do and every decision we make,” Chris Drew, Ocean Mist Farm’s president and CEO, said in the release. “Our best practices in every step, from planting through harvesting to processing and distribution, are continually evolving to ensure the quality and safety of all of our products.”

Burr's prior roles include positions at Markon Cooperative and Church Brothers Farms in Salinas, Calif., where she was involved in multiple facets of food safety and compliance throughout the supply chain, as well as traceability and food safety recall programs, the release said.

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Burr holds a bachelor's degree in public health from Oregon State University. She sits on the International Fresh Produce Association Food Safety Council and serves as secretary of the Western Growers Food Safety Advisory Subcommittee.

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In addition to overseeing the quality assurance, food safety and sustainability departments in her new role at Ocean Mist Farms, Burr will also be responsible for managing facility and field standard operating procedures according to good agricultural practices (GAPs) and good manufacturing practices (GMPs), among other international standards and customer requirements, according to the release.

In overseeing Ocean Mist Farm’s sustainability program, Burr will lead efforts to meet the company’s environmental stewardship goals and implement and oversee internal and third-party audits, including field and facility inspections, the release said.

“Kate’s background and experience will be invaluable to us, and we’re thrilled to have her join our team,” Director of Supply Chain and Compliance Glen Alameda said in the release. “She is well versed to take on the development, implementation and enforcement of our internal quality specifications with all of its complexities and continue to grow it into the future.”