KINGSVILLE, ON - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue visited Mastronardi Produce Ltd.® affiliate farm Maroa Farms in Coldwater, Michigan, yesterday, meeting with Paul Mastronardi and getting an inside look at greenhouse growing.
“Being able to meet with Paul, an industry leader who launched the produce industry’s first 100% traceability program, was a wonderful opportunity for me and a great addition to our tour,” said Secretary Perdue. “I got to taste a lot of their tomatoes and peppers and they have great product.”
As part of his third “Back to Our Roots” RV tour, Secretary Perdue and his wife, Mary, witnessed the company’s high tech operation firsthand with a tour of their state-of-the-art, 52-acre greenhouse, according to a press release.
“We are honored to have Secretary Perdue at our Michigan facility,” said CEO Paul Mastronardi. “Being able to see our growing methods and technologies, our strict food safety policies, and more importantly, the socio-economic impact our company has in the agriculture sector is incredibly important to us. We are humbled to have such an influential leader include Mastronardi Produce in his tour.”
Alongside Secretary Perdue was a team of governmental officials, including:
- U.S. House Representative Tim Walberg
- USDA Rural Development Michigan Director Jason Allen
- USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Joel Johnson
- Michigan Farm Bureau Representatives Jennifer Lewis and Brian AcMoody
Secretary Perdue joined Mastronardi Produce at the conclusion of the tour, answering questions, hearing ideas, and providing insight into issues addressed by the agricultural community, such as economic development, food security, and food safety.
The tour continues through this Friday, April 6th, with stops in Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky.
