Calling out the need to expand research to answer produce-specific food safety questions, the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) has launched a new capital fundraising campaign to finance the center’s research program for the next five years. CPS volunteer leaders from across the supply chain are calling on their colleagues to invest generously in their collective future.

The CPS campaign seeks to raise $15 million to fund additional produce safety research over the next five years, and to transfer learnings from that research to industry and other produce safety stakeholders. Those priorities reflect CPS’s produce-centric mission: to fund science, find solutions and fuel change to enhance the food safety of fresh produce.

Dozens of industry organizations have already pledged nearly $5 million toward the $15 million goal, announced Tim Riley, CPS board director and chair of CPS’s Fundraising Committee, and president of The Giumarra Companies.

Leaders from across the fresh produce supply chain stressed that CPS’s work is critical to restoring consumer confidence in the safety of all fresh produce.

Since it was founded in 2007, CPS has invested $32 million to fund produce-specific food safety research worldwide. It then transfers those research learnings and tools to industry, government and other produce safety stakeholders through a variety of outreach activities, including an annual Research Symposium, webinars and articles in industry-focused publications. Findings from CPS-funded research can be accessed through the center’s website at www.centerforproducesafety.org.

CPS has proven to be unique in its ability to move the needle on fresh produce food-safety research because it brings together leaders from industry, government, and the scientific and academic communities who have a common goal of enhancing produce safety.

Nearly $5 million committed to date

As of Jan. 15, the following companies have made generous commitments to the new CPS fundraising campaign. A current list of contributors to this latest campaign can be viewed at www.centerforproducesafety.org/2020-campaign.php.

Diamond Level Supporters, $1,000,000+

Taylor Farms

Western Growers

Platinum Level Supporters, $500,000 - $999,999

Dole Fresh Vegetables/Dole Food Company

Gold Level Supporters, $250,000 - $499,999

California Fresh Fruit Association

Tanimura & Antle

Silver Level Supporters, $100,000 - $249,999

JV Smith Companies

Promotora Agricola El Toro

Western Precooling

Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic

McEntire Produce, Inc.

Driscoll's

The Giumarra Companies

GreenGate Fresh

iFoodDecisionSciences

Mission Produce, Inc.

Pacific International Marketing

Bronze-Plus Level Supporters, $50,000 to $99,999

The Oppenheimer Group

Amigo Farms

California Avocado Commission

GoodFarms

L&M Companies

Bronze Level Supporters, up to $49,999:

Coastline Family Farms, Inc.

Little Bear Produce

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.

Diversified Restaurant Systems, Inc.

Florida Tomato Committee

Tyger Sales and Marketing, LLC

Wish Farms

National Watermelon Association

Blue Book Services, Inc.

CPS thanks all the organizations that support its mission. Many legacy contributors have supported the center since its inception. A complete list of contributors to the 2015 campaign can be viewed at www.centerforproducesafety.org/2015-campaign.php.