The donations will be made annually over the next five years in increments of $20,000.
Wish Farms, grower-shipper and year round supplier of strawberries and blueberries, announced Tuesday, July 26, plans to donate $100,000 to the Center for Produce Safety Foundation. The CPS research campaign focuses on prevention of foodborne illnesses and disease outbreaks in the produce industry. The goal is to narrow and potentially close the knowledge gap in order to prevent future devastating events.
As a longtime member of the agricultural industry, Wish Farms owner Gary Wishnatzki understands that ongoing food safety research is crucial.
“Foodborne illnesses not only pose a threat to the masses, but to the entire marketplace," Wishnatzki said. "When a product is recalled, it causes a ripple effect costing the farmer all the way to the grocery store. It is imperative consumers are kept safe. The Center for Produce Safety facilitates important research benefitting the entire produce industry. By supporting the effort it solidifies Wish Farms’ commitment to food safety.”
The donations to CPS will be made annually over the next five years, in increments of $20,000. The funds will go toward various research projects, including soil amendments, water irrigation, animal intrusion, wash water sanitation and pathogen transfer from food contact surfaces. These topics will assist produce companies, and others along the supply chain, to better understand and control cross-contamination risks and protect public health. In addition, the Center for Produce Safety plans to help young, rising scientists work closely with senior investigators and scientists to inspire them to continue specializing in produce safety research.
"We thank Wish Farms for this generous leadership contribution to the Campaign for Produce Safety, especially after the success of CPS's annual Research Symposium," Tim York, chair of CPS Board of Directors and President of Markon Cooperative, said. "By investing in safeguarding and improving the safety of fresh produce, Wish Farms and other campaign donors are also investing in consumers' confidence that we have their best interests at heart."
