RETAILERS NAMED TO PACKAGING COMMITTEE

ROBERT VOSBURGH

NEWARK, Del. -- The Produce Marketing Association, here, and the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, Alexandria, Va., have announced the members who will sit on the Joint Produce Packaging Committee.

The panel was formed in May to serve as a single, industrywide source of information on produce containers, primarily, returnable plastic containers and corrugated cardboard [see "Produce Groups Form Joint Packaging Committee," SN, May 29, 2000]. The 22 participants represent all segments of the produce-distribution channel, as well as the plastic and corrugated cardboard industries. The committee is chaired by an officer from each of the associations: United chairman-elect Fred Heptinstall, executive vice president of Chiquita Fresh North America, Cincinnati; and PMA secretary-treasurer Tim York, president of Markon Cooperative, a food-service supplier based in Salinas, Calif.

The committee will hold its first meeting Aug. 28 and 29 in Dallas, at which time the group will examine the scope of work, and set time lines for committee goals.

As part of the committee's mission, a shared database of computer-accessible information and opinion will be compiled that is accessible to members of either organization.

Retailers named to the committee include: Mike Dameron, Ahold USA; Cynthia Forsch, Albertson's; Dan Hamilton, H.E. Butt Grocery Co.; Horace Hamilton, Kroger Co.; Don Harris, Safeway; Mike Kemp, Supervalu; and Bruce Peterson, Wal-Mart. A representative from Food Lion will be announced at a later date.