WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United Fresh Produce Association appointed the Board of Trustees who will lead the new United Fresh Start Foundation.
The Foundation will be led by the inaugural Board of Trustees:
- Jim Lemke, Senior Vice President, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., Foundation Board Chairman
- Kenny Avery, Global Commercial Lead, Monsanto
- Karen Caplan, President & CEO, Frieda's, Inc.
- Robert Gordon, President, FreshPoint, Inc.
- Emanuel Lazopoulos, Senior Vice President, N.A. Sales & Product Management, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc.
- Dan'l Mackey Almy, President & CEO, DMA Solutions, Inc.
- Lisa McNeece, Vice President, Foodservice and Industrial Sales, Grimmway Enterprises, Inc.
- Phil Muir, President & CEO, Muir Copper Canyon Farms
- Lee Anne Oxford, Director of Marketing, L & M Companies
- Steffanie Smith, CEO, Colorful Harvest, LLC
- Hugh Topper, Group V.P. Fresh, H-E-B
The United Fresh Start Foundation focuses on increasing children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables and is the result of more than two years of planning by the United Fresh Board of Directors, according to a press release. The Foundation will create a unique platform to provide a fresh start for kids by increasing access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
"In looking at board members to lead the new Foundation, we sought industry leaders who are passionate and committed to the mission and will be strong public advocates for the organization," said United Chairman Ron Carkoski, President & CEO, Four Seasons Family of Companies. "I'm confident that the collective talent of this group will bring an energy and passion that will not only accelerate our mission, but significantly change the landscape of our children's health and the future of our nation."
The Foundation’s efforts will also be supported by program committees focused directly on key initiatives, including United's leadership of the Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign and school foodservice outreach programs, according to United Fresh.
"We've made incredible progress with salad bars and advancing healthy eating in schools over the past five years," said Tom Stenzel, President & CEO, United Fresh Produce Association. "But we still have much work to be done to reach our national objective that "Half the Plate" consists of fruits and vegetables. We are working to double fresh fruit and vegetable consumption by the next generation!"
The Board of Trustees will meet later this year to begin developing the key goals and strategic vision for the Foundation.
