Jan 17, 2019

Sakata Supports PMA’s Growing Talent Program

Sakata Seed America recently announced a two-year donation of $15,000 each year ($30,000 total) to support the Produce Marketing Association’s Center for Growing Talent initiative through the company’s charitable giving program, Sakata Gives.

Founded in 2005, the Center for Growing Talent is a charitable organization whose mission is to provide industry-specific solutions to attract, develop and retain talent for the produce and floral industries. The success of the program is dependent upon charitable giving, sponsorships and in-kind gifts to support the mission to grow industry talent.

The Center for Growing Talent’s work includes leadership programs and events such as Career Pathways: designed to attract the best and brightest university students to careers in the fresh produce and floral industry, and the Emerging Leaders Program: a program that prepares high-potential leaders to embrace increasing levels or responsibility and challenges for future leadership roles.

Dave Armstrong, Sakata Seed America’s president and CEO,  states, “We’re honored to be a supporter of PMA’s Center for Growing Talent. Contributing to building future talent to ensure a stronger, smarter global supply chain is a top priority for Sakata and the industry as a whole. We hope to demonstrate our commitment to the future of our industry through our partnership with Center for Growing Talent.

The Sakata Gives program is spearheading the company’s charitable giving and ensuring opportunities that support the program’s pillars and company mission.

“The Sakata Gives Program is the cornerstone of Sakata’s corporate social responsibilities initiative.  We strive for a program that is responsive and inclusive, both for our community and industry, as well in support of our Sakata colleagues striving to be the corporate good citizens they choose to be,” says Jamie Kitz, Program Development for Sakata Gives.  “We are thrilled to partner with The Center for Growing Talent, an organization that is driving such positive results for our industry.  Stay tuned – this is just the beginning for Sakata Gives!”