BALTIMORE, MD and WASHINGTON, D.C. - GLOBALG.A.P., a farm certification standards organization, and United Fresh are inviting United Fresh Convention attendees to extend their stay in Chicago until Thursday, June 11, for an exciting one-day conference “TOUR 2015.” With leading agricultural industry and government representatives. GLOBALG.A.P. and United Fresh are hosting a TOUR 2015 event in the McCormick Place Convention Center.
GLOBALG.A.P.’s President Kristian Moeller noted, “We greatly value our partnership with United Fresh and are pleased to offer our first North American TOUR event in conjunction with their convention.”
The conference will feature a keynote address by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor, who will discuss the FDA’s view of the role of on-farm audits in the coming era of the landmark FSMA legislation.
According to a press release, sessions at the event include:
Session 1: Food Safety Harmonization – 6 Years Later
The first session examines food safety harmonization and audit fatigue reduction.
Moderator:
- David Gombas, United Fresh Produce Association
Panel Members:
- Bill Pool, Wegmans
- Craig Wilson, Costco
- Fred Finney, Moreland Fruit Farm
- Kerry Bridges, Wal-Mart
- Peter Hill, Alpine Fresh
- Reggie Brown, Florida Tomato Exchange
Session 2: Beyond Food Safety
Up next, GLOBALG.A.P. explores the rising trend of going “Beyond Food Safety” with a look into sustainability and worker welfare concerns.
Moderators:
- Robert L. Denny II, Environmental Policy & Risk Reduction Consultant
Panel Members:
- Chris Waldrop, Consumer Federation of America
- Craig Wilson, Costco
- Gavin Bailey, Walmart
- Mary K. O’Rourke, U.S. Department of Labor
- Tamara Muruetagoiena, Driscoll's Strawberry Associates
Session 3: Synopsis and Outlook: Is This The Best We Can Do Or Is There A Different Way?
The third session looks ahead to the future role of third-party audits in the changing landscape of farm certification.
Moderators:
- David Gombas, United Fresh Produce Association
- Robert L. Denny II, Environmental Policy & Risk Reduction Consultant
Panel Members:
- Ken Petersen, U.S. Departement of Agriculture - AMS
- LeAnn Chuboff, SQFI
- Michael Hari, Equicert
- Peter O'Driscoll, Equitable Food Initiative
- Roberta Anderson, GLOBALG.A.P.
“These are critical issues for our industry, so I encourage you to consider extending your stay through Thursday’s conference,” said United Fresh’s CEO Tom Stenzel.
For more information about the program, and to register, visit the link here, and note that registration for this event is separate from registration for the 2015 United Fresh convention.
