Washington D.C. and Newark, De. – International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) BB #:153708 has joined the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI), a coalition committed to building trust in consumer goods by recognizing third-party auditing, monitoring and certification schemes that address sustainability requirements and applying validation and governance of these standards.
Representing IFPA will be Director of Sustainability, Tamara Muruetagoiena.
“IFPA is committed to providing expertise and business solutions in sustainability, technology, supply chain and other key issues facing the global produce and floral community,” said IFPA CEO, Cathy Burns. “Consumer Goods Forum and its SSCI is the trusted source in benchmarking and sustainability standards. We look forward to joining the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Steering Committee where Tamara can provide perspectives and insights from our industry as internationally recognized standards are created and adopted.”
The SSCI utilizes the same approach as the CGF’s Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for recognizing standards. In their role as a member of the SSCI Coalition, IFPA will provide expertise in sustainable practices and the challenges, opportunities and constraints of the produce industry.
“Our industry has never shied away from challenges, and prides itself on growing the food that is good for the people, and for our planet,” said Chief Science Officer at IFPA, Dr. Max Teplitski. “To make the most impact in the sustainability space, we must work with all stakeholders to streamline and benchmark sustainability audit requirements. There should be no additional burden for those who choose to adopt sustainability practices”.
The other 21 members of the Coalition include: AEON, Ahold Delhaize, Asia Pulp & Paper, Danone, EMD, Kerry Group, Land O’Lakes, McCormick, Merck Animal Health, METRO AG, Naturipe, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Sainsbury’s, Tan-Viet, Tesco, The Coca-Cola Company, The J.M. Smucker Company, The Kellogg Company, and Unilever.
“As sustainability continues to evolve, we see so many new standards and audits that the SSCI is a critical resource for members of not only produce but all of the food industry to vet and validate these requirements,” said Muruetagoiena. “I’m thrilled that produce is recognized as an essential industry in establishing these standards and I am most looking forward to ensuring that not only is produce at the table – but that our expertise and challenges are heard.”
About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our member’s prosperity by conducting advocacy; connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. While IFPA is built on the legacy of United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association, it is not just a combination. It is transformational. Recognizing the industry required an even more powerful and unified voice, the leaders of the former United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association chose not to merge, but rather to create an entirely new organization to supersede their organizations, effective January 1, 2022.
