The United Fresh Produce Association has announced that Burleson Smith, former director of pest management policy at the US Department of Agriculture, will join the association as vice-president, environmental affairs and sustainability on 1 April 2011.
'Burleson will be a strong leader in helping the fruit and vegetable industry address the important issues surrounding sustainability and the environment,' said United Fresh president and CEO Tom Stenzel. 'Fruit and vegetable growers are the original sustainability experts, with their commitment to maintaining the health of their land while producing wonderfully nutritious fruits and vegetables for the local, national and global community.
'Burleson will play an integral role in helping our growers and the entire fresh produce supply chain in communicating their story, and enhancing sustainability measures in all we do,' he added.
Mr Smith will lead the United Fresh Foundation's Centre for Global Produce Sustainability, which was established in 2009 through a founding grant from Bayer CropScience.
Working with the centre's Advisory Board, Smith will develop programmes linking the produce supply chain from farm to consumer to advance environmental responsibility, social acceptability and economic viability of the fresh produce industry.
'As companies work to reduce energy use, ensure-wise use of natural resources such as water, increase recycling and reuse of materials, ensure a positive and equitable workplace and community, and deliver high-quality nutritious foods to the public, they're also working to make their companies more economically sustainable,' Stenzel said.
During his 2002-2009 tenure at USDA as an appointee in the Bush Administration, Smith maintained a large portfolio of responsibilities, including advising the deputy secretary on pesticide and environmental policy, serving as agricultural liaison with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and providing agricultural expertise to other government agencies on environmental issues.
Most recently, Smith served as a principal with the Policy Navigation Group, providing consulting services on natural resource and environmental issues.
No comments yet