Source:   Press Release

Produce industry members in the Kannapolis, N.C. area will have the chance to connect with regional buyers and suppliers and learn more about food safety risks and traceability efforts during Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Connections: North Carolina event. Hosted by Dole Food Company in partnership with Food Lion, PMA Fresh Connections: North Carolina is being held April 5 at Dole Food Company’s David H. Murdock Core Lab in Kannapolis, N.C. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and is made possible by participating sponsors Columbus IT, FoodLogiQ and Redline Solutions.

The event offers an informative and interactive one-day program with PMA’s food safety and traceability experts. Attendees will hear from PMA’s Chief Science & Technology Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker on common food safety missteps, and how to increase their company’s food safety efforts and better protect its bottom line. Attendees will benefit from learning the “10 Commandments of Food Safety” targeted to sales and marketing professionals.

Joining Whitaker will be PMA’s Vice President of Supply Chain Efficiencies Ed Treacy. Treacy will discuss 2011 implementation timelines for Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) milestones and how PTI milestones affect every company receiving inbound product. Learn what steps attendees need to take to maintain compliancy with this industry led initiative.

“Food safety and traceability issues change in complexity every day, PMA Fresh Connections events translate these complexities into understandable business solutions that help companies keep pace with industry standards and best practices,” said Jim Bresler, Food Consulting Director for Columbus IT. “This event also offers a content-rich and intimate format to give attendees the highest return on investment and make the most of their time away from the office.”

The event format will include ample opportunity for attendees to ask questions of and receive answers from PMA experts about issues they are having in their own food safety and traceability initiatives. Attendees will also benefit from a networking lunch and breaks, which afford time to forge profitable connections and share insight with fellow supply-chain members from Kannapolis, Charlotte and the surrounding region.
PMA’s Fresh Connections events are designed to reach out to members in their own backyards with business-building news and information, and to provide prospective members the opportunity to learn firsthand about the benefits of PMA membership and community. The events also provide an opportunity for PMA staff to hear from members – what’s on their minds and how the association can address their specific needs.

Fresh Connections: North Carolina seating is limited, and open to both PMA members and potential members. The advance registration fee for members is $150 and for potential members is $225; Gold Circle contributors receive an additional $50 off the member rate. The advance registration deadline is March 31, and on-site registration will be available. Learn more by visiting PMA’s website or by contacting PMA’s Shara Stewart at +1 (302) 738-7100 or by e-mail at sstewart@pma.com.  

To register, click here.