California Strawberry Commission Increases Focus on Issues ...

1 California Strawberry Commission Contact: Peggy Dillon FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 8, 2006 California Strawberry Commission Increases Focus on Issues and food Safety New committee and staff changes to enhance already stringent program Watsonville, CA The California Strawberry industry has long been at the forefront of innovative and strict safety standards in the agriculture community. However, members of the California Strawberry Commission (CSC) recognize that they need to be ever vigilant and increase already high standards so consumers can continue to be confident in their choice of eating this healthy, delicious fruit. Not satisfied with the status quo, the Commission s board of directors is anything but complacent and is not resting on its status as an industry leader in food safety, says CSC President Mark Murai.

2 The California Strawberry Commission is focused on good agricultural practices and has renewed its program to help farmers grow the world s safest strawberries. Part of that concentrated effort includes the formation of a new Issues and food Safety Committee. The committee will be charged with keeping a sharp eye on new and emerging Issues , identifying ways to develop solutions and disseminating information to the industry. Carolyn O Donnell, previously CSC PR specialist, has been named Issues and food safety manager, as the effort to concentrate more resources in the area continues. We are taking the Issues so seriously that we have created a new position to enhance our efforts, Murai explains. Replacing her as PR Specialist is Peggy Dillon.

3 Dillon has an extensive background in communications and marketing in the horticultural/agricultural industries. Prior to joining CSC, she was the communications/PR manager at the California Cut Flower Commission . She was also the marketing manager at Sun Land Garden Products, a leading producer of growing media for the commercial and retail nursery industries. Dillon has been published in numerous newspapers, trade and consumer magazines, as well as having produced and scripted corporate and Public Television videos. The California Strawberry Commission supports and represents the California Strawberry industry with programs in research, education, marketing and Issues management. The Commission represents an industry of over 700 growers, shippers and processors.

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