The United Fresh Produce Association has announced in a press release the appointment of Rob Neenan to the position of vice-president of environmental affairs and sustainability as of 1 March.
Mr Neenan is currently vice-president of government affairs at the California League of Food Processors in Sacramento, CA, where he is responsible for analysing environmental, energy, food safety, and other issues affecting the fruit and vegetable processing industry in California. He also organised the League’s member committee on sustainability, developing resources and strategies for addressing climate change and other challenges.
“Rob will be an excellent leader to help develop and grow our Foundation’s new Center for Global Produce Sustainability, which was established last year through a founding grant from Bayer CropScience,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel.
“Rob shares our vision of sustainability as a tool to help growers and the entire produce supply chain reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Sustainability is most often defined as the intersection of environmental responsibility, social acceptability and economic viability. As companies work to reduce energy use, ensure wise use of natural resources such as water, increase recycling and reuse of materials, and ensure a positive and equitable workplace and community, they’re also working to make their companies more economically sustainable.”
Mr Neenan previously served as director of trade services at the California Grape and Tree Fruit League (CGTFL), Fresno, CA, from 1997 to 2005. At the CGTFL he was responsible for USDA and CDFA fresh fruit inspection standards, state and federal marketing regulations, and FDA labelling requirements.
He also managed the industry programme to export stonefruit to Mexico in compliance with Mexican import phytosanitary regulations, coordinated trade negotiations with the US and Mexican governments, and provided compliance information to farmers and pest control advisors.
Prior to his California career, Mr Neenan served as a economist in the Agricultural Marketing Service of the US Department of Agriculture, in Washington DC from 1987 to1997.
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