Committees
Standing Committees
Member participation drives the actions and/or policies of the California Fresh Fruit Association as all issues are vetted through one of seven standing committees and then referred to the Board of Directors for approval. CFFA policy/action occurs with the approval of the Board of Directs, which receives recommendations from the standing committee before reviewing an item. In making the Association a success, committees address concerns related to its area of expertise. The following are the eight standing committee names and descriptions:
Environmental Resources Committee
The Environmental Resources Committee is one of the most active committees, which is due to the tremendous regulatory oversight that exists in California on issues of responsibility to the committee. Some of the regular issues addressed by the committee include: regulation of pesticides, air quality restriction, pesticide registration, food safety, water regulations, and grant programs for environmental practices, related legislation and other environmentally related topics. Both federal and state regulatory oversight for these issues are handled by the committee.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE, PLEASE CONTACT:
ADAM BORCHARD, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY OR CAROLINE STRINGER. DIRECTOR OF TRADE
Food Safety Committee
As part of a strategic partnership between CFFA and George Nikolich Consulting, the Food Safety Committee focuses on providing information and resources around science-based food safety principles and practices, at the growing and packing facility levels to reduce risk, protect the consumer, our employees and our businesses, and bring value to Association members. The group will also help identify and research regulatory and policy food safety issues related to the fresh fruit industry. George Nikolich leads the committee providing guidance gained from his three-decade career in the fresh fruit industry.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE, PLEASE CONTACT: GEORGE NIKOLICH, GEORGE NIKOLICH CONSULTING OR CFFA PROGRAMS COORDINATOR, PERLA CHAVARRIA.
Insurance and Financial Benefits Committee
The focus of the Insurance and Financial Benefits Committee is to monitor the California Fresh Fruit Association’s Group Property Insurance Program, crop insurance endorsements, workers compensation insurance endorsements and a group 401(k) program. The oversight includes: the creation of additional insurance programs that may prove beneficial for Association members.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE PLEASE CONTACT:
COURTNEY RAZOR, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES & COMMUNICATIONS
Labor Committee
There are a myriad of regulations that employers must judiciously comply with at the federal and state levels and it is these areas that the Labor Committee handles. Frequent issues include: Agricultural Labor Board (ALRB) regulation, Industry Welfare Commission regulations, the migrant and seasonal Agricultural Workers Protection Act, federal and state OSHA regulations and employee training.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE, PLEASE CONTACT:
ADAM BORCHARD, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC POLICY
Marketing and Trade Committee
Market access and competitiveness at the domestic and international levels are of the utmost importance and the Marketing and Trade Committee focuses on issues that could affect this aspect of the membership’s operations. Recent efforts include: the Farm Bill, Mexico export program for stone fruit, proposed phytosanitary measures, Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) regulation, marketing practices and foreign trade issues. The Marketing and Trade Committee also handles transportation issues such as Interstate Commerce Commission regulations, railroad operating practices, loading rules, and claim procedures.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE, PLEASE CONTACT:
CAROLINE STRINGER, DIRECTOR OF TRADE
Membership and Communications Committee
The Membership and Communications Committee handles any changes in membership status. Additionally, the committee explores membership opportunities and oversees the communication to current and prospective members about the value of membership.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE, PLEASE CONTACT:
COURTNEY RAZOR, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES & COMMUNICATIONS
Standards and Packaging Committee
The Standards & Packaging Committee oversees federal and state regulations that apply to fruit maturity and quality standards, packaging standards, product handling research and container research.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE PLEASE CONTACT:
IAN LEMAY, PRESIDENT
Suppliers Committee
This Committee is unique because it is not a standing committee, but began when a group of Associate members pooled resources together to host an event for grower, shipper, marketer members at the Association’s Annual Meeting. This Committee meets several times a year to plan and fundraise for the Suppliers Party, which occurs Monday evening during Annual Meeting. All Associate members are considered part of the Committee and are encouraged to participate. The Suppliers Party is only made possible by the generous contributions of Associate members who value the networking and one-on-one interaction the party provides with current and potential customers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS COMMITTEE, PLEASE CONTACT:
COURTNEY RAZOR, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES & COMMUNICATIONS