Well-known names like Zani, Minguzzi, Salvi and Nadalini are among a group of fresh produce specialists from across Italy that have formed a new industry association to raise the profile of women working in the business.
The Associazione Nazionale Donne dell’Ortofrutta (National Fresh Produce Women’s Association), which was founded last week in Bologna, brings together 35 of the trade’s leading female professionals, who apparently wanted to create a network that would offer ideas, develop new projects, organise events and contribute to the sector’s promotion.
“It’s a good opportunity to explain to the sector that we can work together and be stronger by sharing best practice and good ideas. We can explain and promote a different point of view. Plus, women have a better schooling [nowadays] and this helps tap into innovation along the whole supply chain. Not to mention the fact that we tend to be very open to international growth,” commented Simona Caselli who, as president of European producers association Areflh and lead councillor for agriculture in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, was on hand to welcome the group’s formation.
With an emphasis on traditional outlets and new social media channels, the group will work to develop communications within the fresh produce business, and has set as its first target the recruitment of new members. A launch event is expected to be held in the spring of 2018.
The association’s inaugural president is communications expert Alessandra Ravaioli, who for many years was head of marketing at Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli in Ferrara. Serena Pittella of Aop Luce and Cristina Bambini of Dole Italia will support Ravaioli as vice-presidents, while Assomela’s Giulia Montanaro will act as treasurer.
The group’s advisory board, meanwhile, is comprised of Nuccia Alboni (Ortonatura), Silvia Carpio (Mazzoni Group), Cristiana Dipilato (Di Pilato Giovanni & Figli), Francesca Nadalini (Nadalini), Marianna Palella (Citrus), Raffaella Quadretti (Italiafruit/Agroter) and Carmela Suriano (Candonga).
They have been joined by founding members Annalisa Alba (Oranfrizer), Monica Artosi (CPR System), Valentina Borghi (Funghi Valentina), Chiara Brandi (Corriere Ortofrutticolo), Linda Carobbi (Savino Del Bene), Claudia Ferreyra, Lisa Franco (Confcooperative Ferrara), Yliana Gonzalez (CPR System), Sara Grasso (Oranfrizer), Carola Gullino (Gullino Import-Export), Elisa Macchi (CSO), Patrizia Manghi (Sal Frutta), Anna Maria Minguzzi (Minguzzi), Paola Pappalardo (Citrus), Anna Parello, Valentina Piraccini (Cesena Fiera/Macfrut), Simona Riccio (Ki Group), Simona Rubbi (CSO), Silvia Salvi (Salvi-Unacoa) and Elisa Zani (Granfrutta Zani).
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