PMA to Offer Program on Management Fundamentals for Young Professionals
The Produce Marketing Association’s Center for Growing Talent is adding a suite of development opportunities for young industry professionals. The new offering is a 12-month online certificate program focused on Management Fundamentals for Young Professionals developed in partnership with the University of Arizona’s Eller Executive Education program.
The certificate is the first step for young industry professionals to build essential management knowledge and skills to advance their careers in the produce and horticulture industries.
The new online certificate program, Management Fundamentals for Young Professionals, joins a suite of career development offerings offered by PMA.
“Our professional development portfolio of in-person and online programs offers member companies and industry professionals alike across the supply chain a choice of complementary training opportunities that fit their unique needs and budgets,” said Doug Bohr, Center for Growing Talent executive director. “Young Professionals are the future of our industry. This certificate program affords them the opportunity to develop fundamental management skills and business acumen that will serve them and our member companies well throughout their careers.”
Registration is ongoing, and individuals can sign up at any time to take the courses at their own pace. The courses are led by highly ranked academics and subject matter experts and include a combination for on-demand content and real-time interactions.
For those interested in learning more about the certificate program or to register themselves or members of their team, the program is listed in the Fresh Ed Academy suite of courses.
Walmart Announces New Pollinator and Nature Commitments
To help improve pollinator health and biodiversity in the regions in which it operates, Walmart has announced new pollinator commitments that will further the retailer’s efforts to help reverse nature loss and ultimately meet its new nature commitments. According to Martin Mundo, SVP, Produce and Global Produce Sourcing, “These new commitments serve as the largest pollinator health effort from a U.S. grocery retailer to-date, aiming to reduce several pollinator threats through promoting integrated pest management practices and improving and expanding pollinator habitats.”
Kroger, CEA Grower Expand Partnership
Last month, the Kroger Co. and CEA grower 80 Acres Farms announced plans to bring farm-fresh produce to customers in the Midwest – both in store and online. 80 Acres Farms will be able to grow pesticide-free produce all year long for Kroger stores. With locations closer to customers, the farm-to-table carbon footprint and overall food waste are low. “This newly expanded partnership means more communities will have just-picked produce at their fingertips 365 days a year,” said Dan De La Rosa, group vice president at Kroger. Currently, 80 Acres will serve 316 Kroger locations across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
Whole Foods Debuts ‘Sourced for Good’ Seal
On April 7, Whole Foods Market launched “Sourced for Good,” an exclusive third-party-certification program to support responsible sourcing by providing tangible improvements in farmworkers’ lives, strengthening worker communities where products are sourced and promoting environmental stewardship where crops are grown. The Sourced for Good seal is designed to help shoppers easily identify products that meet the high sourcing standards required by the program. At launch, the Sourced for Good seal can be found on more than 100 products around Whole Foods Market stores.
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