United chooses board to lead new foundation
The United Fresh Produce Association has unveiled the board of trustees to lead the new United Fresh Start Foundation. The members were appointed by the United Fresh Board of Directors at their September 11 meeting in Washington, D.C.
The mission of the new foundation, focused on increasing children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables, comes as a result of more than two years of strategic planning by the United Fresh Board of Directors. Building on the leadership and work of United’s Nutrition and Health Council and all of United’s policy and outreach programs over the recent years, the board decided to refocus and reposition the United Research and Education Foundation to focus solely on nutrition and health.
The new United Fresh Start Foundation will create a unique platform to provide a fresh start for kids by increasing their access to fresh fruit and vegetables, and to help grow United’s impact in serving this important mission.
Serving on the new foundation’s board will be:
- Jim Lemke, senior vice president, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, chairman
- Kenny Avery, global commercial lead, Monsanto
- Karen Caplan, president and CEO, Frieda’s
- Robert Gordon, president, FreshPoint
- Emanuel Lazopoulos, senior vice president, North American sales and product management, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A.
- Dan’l Mackey Almy, president and CEO, DMA Solutions
- Lisa McNeece, vice president, foodservice and industrial sales, Grimmway Enterprises
- Phil Muir, president and CEO, Muir Copper Canyon Farms
- Lee Anne Oxford, director of marketing, L & M Companies
- Steffanie Smith, CEO, Colorful Harvest
- Hugh Topper, group vice president fresh, H-E-B
“In looking at board members to lead the new Foundation, we sought industry leaders who are passionate and committed to the mission and will be strong public advocates for the organization,” said United Chairman Ron Carkoski, president and CEO, Four Seasons Family of Companies. “I’m confident that the collective talent of this group will bring an energy and passion that will not only accelerate our mission, but significantly change the landscape of our children’s health and the future of our nation.”
In addition to the board of trustees, the foundation efforts will be supported by program committees focused directly on key initiatives, including United’s leadership of the “Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools” campaign and school foodservice outreach programs. The foundation will be soliciting volunteers for industry members to serve on the different committees.
