Tim York is taking the reins of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, succeeding the food safety organization’s first CEO, Scott Horsfall.
York most recently was president of Markon Cooperative, which he joined in November 1990. He officially starts at the LGMA on Dec. 1. The group’s board of directors announced his new role on Oct. 29, according to a news release.
“Tim has been an influential presence when it comes to advancing continuous improvement in food safety in the produce industry,” Dan Sutton, LGMA chairman and general manager of the Pismo-Oceano Vegetable Exchange, said in the release. “He is a staunch advocate for protecting consumers and public health and we are fortunate to have Tim to guide LGMA into this new era.”
York has been involved in numerous industry groups. He was twice the chairman of the Center for Produce Safety is currently a board member, he was chairman of the Alliance for Food and Farming, served on the Produce Marketing Association’s board and represented the buying community on the Romaine Task Force in 2019, according to the release.
The Packer named York Produce Marketer of the Year in 2011, in part because of his food safety work, and he also received The Packer’s Foodservice Achievement Award.
In 2017, PMA named York as the inaugural recipient of the Bryan Silbermann Collaboration Award.
York received the LGMA’s Golden Checkmark award in 2009.
“Food safety is both a priority and a passion for me,” York said in the release. “I look forward to focusing on food safety on a full-time basis, to serving the industry and consumers as well as working collaboratively with our industry partners to advance goals and objectives that protect public health.”
Horsfall, the CEO of the LGMA since it was established in 2007, was also recognized for his work on food safety at the board meeting. He said the job has been “rewarding and heartbreaking.”
“While we have accomplished a great deal, food safety and protecting public health must be a continuing process with a continuing commitment to do better every day,” he said in the release. “I respect this industry immensely and under the leadership of Tim, the farmers that make up the LGMA and our dedicated staff, I’m confident this industry will work diligently to advance continuous improvement.”
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