Dinuba, CA – During the upcoming Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit convention in New Orleans, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board will be working to attract new Twitter followers, educate the produce industry about its mandatory food safety program and help support an organization which represents victims of foodborne illness.
“If you stop by the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board’s booth at Fresh Summit you can enter to win a $1,000 prize that will be given away each day of the exposition,” said Garrett Patricio, of Westside Produce in Firebaugh. Patricio serves as chairman of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board (CCAB) Marketing Committee and Food Safety Guidance Committee. “Half of the prize we award will be donated in the winners’ names to STOP Foodborne Illness, a national non-profit public health organization dedicated to the prevention of illness from foodborne pathogens. We are very pleased to support this organization and are encouraging others throughout the produce industry to do the same.”
Earlier this year, California cantaloupe farmers and shippers launched the produce industry’s only mandatory food safety program that invites government auditors to inspect all aspects of cantaloupe operations. The organization developed a website, Facebook page and Twitter account to provide information on the program and cantaloupe food safety.
During Fresh Summit, the CCAB will be working to build its Twitter followers and Facebook fans. The campaign will allow CCAB to make sure produce industry members know about its new mandatory food safety program and can be instantly notified of any important information concerning cantaloupe food safety.
“The best way to learn more about California cantaloupe producers’ commitment to the highest level of quality and safety is follow us on Twitter at @CalCantaloupes,” said Patricio. “This promotional effort is known as #HealthySmiles. Next season we will be rolling it out to consumers, but we wanted to start with members of our own industry who attend Fresh Summit because the entire supply chain plays an important role in ensuring safe food for consumers.”
In order to participate in the #HealthySmiles promotion and enter to win, participants must visit the CCAB booth at #3439 where a “smiling” photograph will be taken by booth staff. Participants with Twitter will be tagged and photos will be tweeted on the organization’s Twitter account @CalCantaloupes along with the #HealthySmiles hashtag. One winner will be selected on Saturday, October 19 and another on Sunday, October 20 during the convention.
“We are so pleased the CCAB has agreed to help us raise funds for those who have lost family members or continue to suffer from long-term health complications as a result of foodborne illness,” said Deirdre Schlunegger, Chief Executive Officer of STOP. “This is such an important cause and we have found the California produce industry and organizations such as CCAB and the LGMA to be very supportive of our efforts. We have much more in common with produce farmers than people realize. We all want to stop foodborne illness.”
“This will be a fun promotion that is a win for everyone,” said Patricio “Our new Twitter followers will be updated on anything to do with California cantaloupes and have a chance to win $1,000. At the same time, we are supporting two organizations – STOP Foodborne Illness and CCAB – both dedicated to preventing foodborne illness.”
Source: California Cantaloupe Advisory Board