NEW YORK — A NEW, 35-MEMBER LEADERSHIP COUNCIL and four new working groups have been named to lead the Produce Traceability Initiative.
The new council's members include seven retailers, representatives from five foodservice companies, 14 growers and shippers, four wholesalers and terminal markets, and PTI's four administering associations — the Produce Marketing Association, the United Fresh Produce Association, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and GS1 US.
“This new leadership structure, consisting of the supply chain-representative Leadership Council and volunteer-led working groups, will ensure a more inclusive process moving forward that will benefit the entire industry,” Cathy Green, president of Food Lion and chair the Leadership Council, said in an announcement. “Now we look forward to advancing the work by providing the tools and information the industry needs to be able to achieve the full benefits and value of chainwide, electronic traceability.”
In addition to Green, the seven retailers appointed to the council are Dan Bates, Supervalu; Gerry Bergstrom, Publix Super Markets; Jim Corby, Food Lion; Reggie Griffin, Kroger; Derrick Jenkins, Wakefern; Manolo Reyes, Wal-Mart; and Geoff White, Safeway. A complete listing of the Leadership Council's members can be found at PTI's website, producetraceability.org.