WASHINGTON, DC - A well-known industry name is joining the Controlled Environment Agriculture Food Safety Coalition (CEA FSC) as Tom Stenzel, former United Fresh Produce Association President and Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed as its new Executive Director. Additionally, The Stenzel Group has been retained by the organization to provide management services.
“I’ve worked with many of these companies since their start-up,” Stenzel said. “I’ve seen their potential and am now watching their impact grow daily, as consumers and retailers alike embrace their role as high-quality, sustainable, safe, and local producers. I’m excited to help this sector expand its impact.”
In this new role, Stenzel will work with the Board to develop strategic and business plans to elevate the coalition in its mission to serve the CEA sector, a press release explained.
The CEA FSC was formed in 2019, serving as a forum for leafy greens growers in high-tech greenhouses and indoor vertical farms. Through the organization, they are able to educate and share best practices with regulators, customers, and fellow indoor growers, with its first priorities being to develop credible, strong, and appropriate food safety standards and to communicate the value of CEA to the industry and consumers.
“Tom’s almost 30 years of experience leading United Fresh and the recent combination with the Produce Marketing Association to form the International Fresh Produce Association makes him an outstanding leader to help us evolve our mission beyond just food safety and leafy greens to serve the broader controlled environment agriculture category,” said Marc Oshima, Co-Founder of AeroFarms and Board Chair of the CEA FSC.
Stenzel is succeeding Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, former USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety.
“Elisabeth did a great job building on our core food safety platform and has set the stage for more expansive growth to service the broader controlled environment agriculture industry, and we will miss her leadership and expertise,” Oshima added.
Congratulations to Tom Stenzel on this new role!
