On June 4, 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m., the Central Valley Food Safety Committee, in partnership with the College of the Sequoias Training Resource Center, is offering a free hybrid meeting for food safety professionals and consultants. The event will be located at the Visalia Convention Center and Live Streamed. 

Bob Whitaker will present his recent series of articles entitled “The Future of Produce Safety: Of This I am Certain . . .” The presentation is the kickoff presentation of a USDA grant awarded to the College of the Sequoias to promote Produce (Food) Safety in the San Joaquin Valley.

Whitaker is a speaker and consultant in food safety and technology. He retired from the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) in 2020 after 12 years as its Chief Science and Technology Officer. Before PMA, Whitaker served for a decade as vice president of Operations and Food Safety for NewStar Fresh Foods, a grower, shipper, processor in Salinas, CA.

Whitaker started his career in biotechnology at DNA Plant Technology joining as a postdoctoral scientist and becoming vice president of Product Development over his 16-year career there, participating in the development of many new fruit and vegetable varieties.

There are a total of 50 seats available for lunch at the Visalia Convention Center, which includes lunch and the chance to network with other food safety professionals. 

The event is free, whether at the convention center or remotely. It is being funded by the grant to spread the food safety message in the San Joaquin Valley.