P.O. Box 948153
Maitland, FL 32794
www.ffva.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ray Gilmer or Barbara Wunder 321-214-5200

FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE ASSOCIATION AND FLORIDA TOMATO COMMITTEE RETAIN
DR. MARTHA ROBERTS AS FOOD SAFETY CONSULTANT

Maitland, Fla. (Dec. 16) - Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) and the Florida Tomato Committee (FTC) are pleased to announce that Dr. Martha Roberts, former Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), will serve a consultant to FFVA and FTC on food safety priorities for Florida growers.

"The quality and safety of the nation's food supply have never been more important, and FFVA would like to offer its members the expertise only someone of Dr. Roberts' caliber can provide," said FFVA President Mike Stuart. "We're very pleased she will be working on behalf of Florida's fruit and vegetable industry."

In her consulting role for FFVA and FTC, Dr. Roberts will be monitoring regulatory activities at the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control, United States Department of Agriculture, Florida Department of Health, and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"Regulatory oversight of our industry has never been greater," said Reggie Brown, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee. "To remain competitive, our growers need to stay informed about the latest food safety developments."

Dr. Roberts retired from FDACS in October 2003. She began her career with the department as a microbiologist/chemist in the Food Laboratory in 1968, later moving up to the position of chief of the Food Laboratory and assistant deputy commissioner. She accepted the deputy commissioner post in 1991. Dr. Roberts is well known in the Florida agriculture industry as a scientific authority and strategist.

She has served with federal advisory groups and many committees, workshops and associations; providing technical or strategic input to the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce among others.
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

The Florida Tomato Committee is a Federal Marketing Order that regulates the handling of tomatoes and has authority over the tomatoes grown in Florida's production area. The Committee funds marketing research and development projects; marketing promotions including advertising and other projects that improve or promote the marketing, distribution and consumption of fresh Florida tomatoes.