Plant City, FLA (July 26, 2016) – Wish Farms, grower-shipper and year round supplier of strawberries and blueberries, announces its commitment to donate $100,000 to the Center for Produce Safety (CPS). The CPS research campaign focuses on prevention of foodborne illnesses and disease outbreaks in the produce industry. The goal is to narrow and potentially close the knowledge gap in order to prevent future devastating events.
As a longtime member of the agricultural industry, Wish Farms owner, Gary Wishnatzki understands that ongoing food safety research is crucial. “Foodborne illnesses not only pose a threat to the masses, but to the entire marketplace. When a product is recalled, it causes a ripple effect costing the farmer all the way to the grocery store. It is imperative consumers are kept safe,” said Wishnatzki. “The Center for Produce Safety facilitates important research benefitting the entire produce industry. By supporting the effort it solidifies Wish Farms’ commitment to food safety.”
Wish Farms will donate $20,000 annually over the next five years. Money will fund various research projects, including soil amendments, water irrigation, animal intrusion, wash water sanitation, pathogen transfer from food contact surfaces as well as many other areas. These topics will assist produce companies, and others along the supply chain, to better understand and control cross-contamination risks and protect public health. In addition, the Center for Produce Safety plans to help young, rising scientists work closely with senior investigators and scientists to inspire them to continue specializing in produce safety research.
“We thank Wish Farms for this generous leadership contribution to the Campaign for Produce Safety, especially after the success of CPS’s annual Research Symposium,” said Tim York, chair of CPS Board of Directors and president of Markon Cooperative. “By investing in safeguarding and improving the safety of fresh produce, Wish Farms and other campaign donors are also investing in consumers’ confidence that we have their best interests at heart.”
About Wish Farms:
Wish Farms, founded in 1922 and third-generation owned, is a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries growing both conventional and organic varieties. Nationally recognized for innovation, Wish Farms utilizes How’s My Picking?™, a patented tool for traceability to ensure quality by tying consumer feedback to specific information from each day’s harvest. For more information about Wish Farms, please visit www.wishfarms.com.
About CPS:
The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) Foundation is focused exclusively on providing the produce industry and government with open access to the actionable information needed to continually enhance the safety of produce. Ongoing administrative costs are covered by the Produce Marketing Association, enabling industry and public funds to go exclusively to research.
