Produce trade group launches supply chain education initiative

Produce trade group launches supply chain education initiative The produce industry's leading trade association Monday announced the launch of a new education and support initiative to serve its members in all areas of supply chain management.
   Tom Stenzel, president and chief executive officer of United Fresh Produce Association, said the new Supply Chain Technology & Logistics Program will offer the produce industry assistance in a range of supply chain areas including transportation, cold chain quality control, information technologies and systems for traceability, facilities management, and packing/packaging needs.
   'From the increasing costs of distribution to the need to enhance traceability and quality control as produce moves from farm to table, our members are facing significant challenges to their profitability,' said UFPA Board Chairman Tom Lovelace, of McEntire Produce. 'Yet, with appropriate investments in technology and sound management practices, we can increase efficiencies, reduce the potential costs of product recalls and deliver to consumers even better tasting, higher quality produce.'
   Made possible, in part, through a C.H. Robinson grant to UFPA Research and Education Foundation's Center for Business Management, the new initiative will develop education programs and tools to assist industry members with the rising cost and complexity of transportation, including trucking, rail, air and ocean shipping.
   'At C.H. Robinson, we know the importance of effective distribution management as a key to overall industry profitability,' said Jim Lemke, senior vice president. 'In today's environment, we believe effective management of distribution and logistics is key to companies' success throughout the entire supply and demand chain.'
   UFPA's Stenzel also announced Monday that the trade group is launching new legislative and regulatory initiative related to policy issues in transportation and distribution.
   The lobbying initiative will be spearheaded by Kam Quarles, UFPA's new vice president of legislative and government affairs.
   The 104-year-old UFPA represents more than 1,500 growers, packers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, distributors and marketers of fresh fruits and vegetables accounting for a majority of the produce sold in the United States.