<p>Malena Produce is expanding its Innovative Supply System (ISS) quality assurance program to Central America as well as other regions, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Malena, North America's largest producer of eggplant (also produces other crops), began its spring and fall season planning by ramping up its supply system. The company has enhanced its quality and food safety program to meet the needs of its current customers.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"While we have had this program in place for several years, we are now expanding the scope of our quality and safety assurance aspects as we also expand production internationally," said Gonzalo Avila.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">A comprehensive grower assessment program was launched in order to ensure the most efficient and effective production systems for the entire supply chain.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Malena's quality assurance team is headed by former Chiquita's Mexico quality manager, Ulises de la Vega. Also on the team is Mario Borbon, who works in tandem with the CEO and the Nogales sales and warehouse teams.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">With a BS in Bacterial Chemistry from the University of Nuevo León at Monterrey, Mexico, De la Vega brings over 20 years of experience within the produce industry, including Primus Labs and USDA. After nine months of evaluating and testing Malena's current production practices, his focus is now on compliance with specific customer quality assurance needs.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"From my many years in this field I can say with confidence that Malena is among the leaders in the industry with their programs, especially their cooling and warehouses systems. Our goal is continuous improvement, and right now we’re focused on integrating our quality assurance philosophy within all growers and operations."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Malena Produce’s expanded Innovative Supply System is based on commercial industry guidelines. It includes: Clean water testing and supplies, biological controls and integrated pest management, Hazard Analysis and Critical Controls (HACCP), third-party audits of growing and packing operations, cold chain management and traceability (PTI), sustainable production and socially-responsible practices, and advanced storage solutions (including state-of-the-art warehouses).<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"For us, quality assurance does not end in the packing house or cooler. It’s a complete, integrated focus, extending to everyone in our organization and anyone we associate with," CEO Gonzalo Avila commented.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://malenaproduce.org/" target="_new"> Malena Produce </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
