Key Updates from the Western Growers Family of Companies WG Board Members and Executives Visit Peru In recognition of the value of a strong network of international connections, Western Growers executives and members of the board visited Peru in January to learn more about the agricultural successes of the country. The trip included a meeting at the U.S. Embassy
and tours of Vanguard International, Beta Agroindustrial, Mission Produce and more. The trip included Western Growers Dave Puglia, President & CEO; De Ann Davis, Senior Vice President, Science; Walt Duflock, Senior Vice President, Innovation as well as Western Growers board members Catherine Fanucchi, Tri-Fanucchi Farms; Neill Callis, Turlock Fruit Company; Ryan Talley, Talley Farms; Albert Keck, Hadley Date Gardens; Ron Ratto, Ratto Bros.; Larry Cox, Coastline Family Farms; George Adam, Innovative Produce; Bruce Talbott, Talbott’s Mountain Gold; and Kevin Andrew, Illume Agriculture, LLC. —Kara Timmins
CPMA Chair’s Town Hall and Reception Held in Salinas Western Growers members joined Canadian
Produce Marketing Association Chair Colin Chapdelaine and CPMA staff at the organization’s town hall and reception in Salinas, Calif. on Jan. 30, 2024. The group toured the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology with Executive Director Dennis Donohue, and then during the town hall discussed a multitude of topics, including updates on the Canadian market, the upcoming CPMA Convention and Trade Shows, and a buyers panel including interactive discussions on top issues, trends and the 2024 landscape. Environment and Climate Change Canada is advocating for a near-elimination approach for plastic packaging that would require 75 percent of all produce that is currently sold in the supermarkets to be sold in bulk or non-plastic packing by the year 2026, increasing to 95 percent in 2028. Regulatory updates including forced labor, supply chain issues, the Safe Food for Canadians Act’s review and grades and consultations were also on the agenda. —Julia Nellis
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MARCH | APRIL 2024
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