NOGALES, AZ - As the fresh produce industry continues to develop and transform, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) is evolving, too. Recently, members met to discuss its newly adopted dues and membership structure that will address the ongoing work of the association on a national level.
“This membership and dues structure is designed to provide a bedrock for national advocacy in a way that maintains an overall FPAA budget that is adequate to defend Members’ market access,” President of the FPAA Lance Jungmeyer stated. “It also gives us the framework to continue our local and state advocacy where members decide they need it. We have worked on many national issues for the industry for decades, and the new structure better accounts for those efforts.”
The new structure will main existing state and local level services in Arizona with a foundation to add more services in other states at the discretion of FPAA’s members, a release explained. The FPAA Board of Directors recommended the changes to the membership structure due to the fact that many of the issues and opportunities members face from attempted restrictions of United States market access to renegotiated trade agreements and regulations do not stop at the border crossing in Nogales.
On January 30, 2023, these new changes were adopted at a Special FPAA membership meeting.
“Our industry is ever-evolving. The completion of the Mazatlan—Durango highway has led many firms in the association to utilize Texas ports of entry to position loads for distribution to the Mid-West and East Coast. For two decades, dues have applied only to truckloads crossed in Nogales. FPAA presently does not collect fees on members’ crossings outside of Nogales, Arizona,” said Rod Sbragia, Chairman of the FPAA. “However, many of the large issues we tackle on a daily basis impact U.S. importers and allied industry members across the border, not just those crossing here in Nogales.”
With this new structure in place, how will the FPAA be able to create a greater impact in the fresh produce community? Keep an eye out for AndNowUKnow in your inbox for answers.
