Donald Darnall, executive director of the Maryland Food Centre Authority in Baltimore, has been voted in as the new chairman of The World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM). The elections took place at its annual general meeting held in Lublin, Poland last week. Darnall succeeds outgoing chairman Manuel Estrada-Nora of Spain’s wholesale market network Mercasa.
At the meeting, Mr Zengjun, chairman of the Chinese Association of Wholesale Markets (CAWA) was elected the WUWM vice-chairman.
“While I have been a member since 1989 and this is the second time I have been trusted with the honor to serve as your chairman, this will be the first time for me to serve many of you and to lead this organisation during these current times of significant change,” Darnall said.
“I am honored to work side by side with the WUWM board of directors who have expressed to me their commitment to ensure this organisation both remains a significant force in shaping world policy regarding the role of fresh food markets, and provides outstanding value to its membership.”
Hosted by the Lublin Wholesale Market JSC in Elizówka, in collaboration with the Union of Polish Wholesale Markets (SPRH), the WUWM conference was held under the theme “Fresh Markets: Permanent Evolution in Times of Change”.
More than 150 food market professionals from 28 countries explored issues such as modern green technologies supporting wholesale and retail markets, countering fake food on the market, the situation and future direction of central and east European markets, and the benefits and practices of introducing flowers to the wholesale market.
