PMA, United Fresh Discuss Possible Merger

Leaders of United Fresh Produce Association and Produce Marketing Association (PMA) met July 18 to discuss how the two produce associations could work closer together.

The meeting included the presidents of both associations, Bryan Silbermann and Tom Stenzel, and six members of each executive board. The Chicago meeting was the second this year, but both organizations said in a joint statement that a merger is not imminent. PMA and United have met at various times throughout their long histories to discuss the possibility of a merger, but an agreement has never been reached.

”Both associations’ priority is always to deliver the best value to our members, and our volunteer leaders and staff have been talking about ways to do that better,” according to PMA and United Fresh.

”We are now exploring ways to enhance member value through collaboration between our two associations, although there is no predetermined endpoint such as merger. Rather, we are focusing on enhancing value to members of both associations and letting that guide our discussions.”

Both PMA and United Fresh have leadership board meeting scheduled over the next few months, and both organizations said their membership would be kept up to date on any plans.