LA JOLLA, CA - With over 220 people in attendance, the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) 87thAnnual Meeting was quite an introduction to the 2023 harvest season.
Kicking off March 13 with the Annual Membership Breakfast at the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California, there was an active agenda to the event.
“While the challenges continue to be numerous not only for the California fruit industry but our state’s agriculture at large, the collective interest brought to the table by our membership continues to give confidence that we will rise to the moment. The passion our members have to do what they do every day, which is to bring fresh fruit to consumers around the world, remains strong. This event gets us excited and that we have the support of so many means the world to me and to our staff,” Ian LeMay, CFFA President, shared with me.
With industry advocacy and education in mind, this year featured two days of the annual Industry Workshops, where conversations focused on the political climate in Sacramento, California, as well as Washington, DC. Ron Barsamian of Barsamian & Moody Attorneys at Law provided a California labor update while political strategist Lorren Walker focused on priorities taking place in DC as preparations begin for the 2023 Farm Bill.
“With regards to California’s winter storms, we are thankful for the abundance of water to alleviate some of the drought pressure but now we look forward to more dry-warmer days to allow for the bees to keep working and the opportunity for our fruit to develop,” LeMay added. “No doubt Mother Nature over delivered this year. We at the association also send our best wishes and support to our friends in the Salinas Valley and areas of the San Joaquin Valley dealing with historic flood impacts. In true California fashion, with great opportunity also comes significant challenges.”
The annual meeting also welcomed the election of the Board of Directors—made up of 32 men and women from operations located across California—and Chairman, as well as industry and committee updates.
The organization's officers are nominated to serve for a one-year period and are selected by a committee of past Board Chairs. The full slate of officers includes:
- Chair: Wayde Kirschenman of Kern County-based Kirschenman Enterprises
- First Vice Chair: Melissa Frank of Kern County-based Wonderful Orchards
- Secretary/Treasurer: Louis Pandol of Delano-based Pandol Bros
The association also honored past CFFA Chairman Harold McClarty of HMC Farms with the prestigious Mentor’s Award. Bestowed to someone who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the fresh grape, berry, and treefruit communities through their leadership in the industry, our team sends Mr. McClarty our congratulations on this honor.
Overall, this was quite an event to kick off the association’s new fiscal year and our team looks forward to reporting how this season unfolds.
