Andrew & Williamson among produce safety campaign contributors

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce is one of eight companies that have committed a combined $750,000 to a produce safety campaign.

The initiative has raised $8,202,000 since it was publicly launched in September 2015.

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce is part of an ongoing Salmonella outbreak from cucumbers which has sickened 888 people from July 2015.

The firm also made a donation to STOP Foodborne Illness in September last year.

Other contributors to the Center for Produce Safety's (CPS) Campaign for Produce Safety are Giant Eagle Inc., Markon Cooperative, Inc., and Target Corporation.

Tim York, president of Markon Cooperative, said decisions like supporting the CPS can impact real people in a very positive way.

"When we in the produce industry discuss food safety, all too often we focus on business deals and their details. Sometimes we forget the real reason we all focus on food safety - that there are faces behind these illnesses.”

New contributors from the production side are Bolthouse Farms, Monterey Mushrooms, Inc., Ready Pac Foods, Inc. and Tree Top, Inc. 

“CPS's contributions help ensure the produce industry supply chain is safe, affordable and offers a range of healthy options for consumers, and we are pleased to support and advance that work," said Neshat Soofi, Target Corporation director of food and essentials safety quality assurance.   

Our partnership with Center for Produce Safety enables us to actively support and advance industry best practices, which result in increased consumer safety," said David Rajkovich, vice president of produce and floral at Giant Eagle.