NEWARK, Del. -- The Produce Marketing Association here has named a steering committee of industry members who will direct the trade association's next major research effort.
and public affairs.
"They'll take a look at exactly what benchmarks we want to set and where we want to go" with the research, she said.
The committee's task will be to give focus to the study, Means said; at present, different segments of the produce community are calling for many aspects of the business to be examined.
"That's what happens with something like this -- everybody wants everything to be touched," Means said.
The research project will be conducted for the PMA by Ed McLaughlin, professor at the Food Industry Management Program at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
"To stay competitive in this changing marketplace, we have to have information about our businesses and industry," said the PMA's chairman, Bob DiPiazza, group vice president of Dominick's Finer Foods, Northlake, Ill., in a statement.
Retailers who will participate in the committee include Al Ferri, vice president of produce at Wakefern Food Corp., Elizabeth, N.J.; Bruce Peterson, vice president of produce for Wal-Mart Supercenters, Bentonville, Ark.; and Jim Richter, vice president of produce operations at Randalls Food Markets, Houston.
"The Cornell research will help Randalls stay on the cutting edge of new trends and ideas that will impact our business," said Richter. "Their findings will be an important tool in keeping us ahead of the competition."
The PMA's goals are to set key benchmarks in the produce industry, and take in-depth looks at certain industry segments, such as the links in the produce distribution chain that stretch between the shipper and the retailer.
The results of the study will be the focus of "Fresh Track 1997," a general session that will take place during the PMA's Convention and Exposition, Oct. 17 to 21 in Anaheim, Calif.
"Information is the lifeblood of our industry, and I'm proud PMA is showing the leadership in this area," said Richter of Randalls. "We're beginning this year, and this is an ongoing project, so we can identify and track important trends."
