Exclusive Interview with Stephen Patricio
Stephen Patricio, CEO of Westside Produce, joins AndNowUKnow to discuss the results of the vote for the California Cantaloupe Marketing Order amendments as well as the program for the first meeting of the statewide board that met earlier this month.
Mr. Patricio is Chairman for the Center for Produce Safety as well as Chairman of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board.
"The results of the amendment votes were phenomenal," states Mr. Patricio. The amendments passed with 100% affirmation. One of the two items being amended was the need to expand the scope of the marketing order to cover all cantaloupes throughout California. The second vote was to make food safety a priority of the marketing order.
At the first meeting, the board accepted the recommendations of the Guidance Development Committee. That committee is now charged with working with the USDA and the CDFA.
Mr. Patricio is Chairman for the Center for Produce Safety as well as Chairman of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board.
"The results of the amendment votes were phenomenal," states Mr. Patricio. The amendments passed with 100% affirmation. One of the two items being amended was the need to expand the scope of the marketing order to cover all cantaloupes throughout California. The second vote was to make food safety a priority of the marketing order.
At the first meeting, the board accepted the recommendations of the Guidance Development Committee. That committee is now charged with working with the USDA and the CDFA.
