California Tomato Cooperative (CTF) wishes to thank Ed Beckman for his service in leading the cooperative since its inception in 2007. Beckman announced his departure from CTF earlier this month to take another position within the tomato industry.
“We want to thank Ed for all of his service. CTF is now recognized as a leader in food safety and has continued to evolve and improve its programs throughout Ed’s tenure and the CTF members want to acknowledge all of his hard work and achievements,” says Dean Janssen of Ace Tomato Company and Chairman of the CTF Board of Directors. “Ed should be proud of his work at CTF – we certainly are.”
CTF members remain strongly committed in their goals of constant improvement and evolution of their programs and to the transparency of their work for customers. “With Ed at the helm, the California tomato industry has accomplished much including being an integral part of the establishment of Commodity Specific Guidelines for Fresh Tomatoes; the implementation of mandatory announced and unannounced government food safety audits of our members; and the establishment of a unique web based database that allows CTF customers to view full audit results of our members anytime,” says Jeff Dolan of The DiMare Company and CTF Board member. Dolan notes that although Ed had been with CTF since it’s inception in 2007, he has worked for the California tomato industry for 24 years.
The CTF Board of Directors plans to hire a new executive director prior to the start of the California tomato season in early summer. “The Board is looking for an individual who can guide CTF through its next phase of growth,” explains Billy Heller of Pacific Triple E and CTF Board member. “While much has been accomplished during Ed’s tenure, as a leader and model for food safety programs CTF is looking to constantly improve our systems and the new executive director needs to share that commitment and vision.”
CTF members are all multi-generation farming families that have strong ties to their land and in the communities where they farm. CTF members represent 80 percent of the volume of fresh tomatoes produced in California. Members include: Ace Tomato Company, Inc., The DiMare Company, Gargiulo, H.S. Packing, Live Oak Farms, Pacific Triple E, and San Joaquin Tomato Growers, Inc.
Source: California Tomato Cooperative