Wednesday, January 27, 2010 by Kathy Means
PMA to talk food safety, traceability in Tennessee
Wrapping up a three-week stint of sharing PMA’s 2010 legislative and regulatory forecast with East Coast growers, at the end of this week I will be presenting this information (as well as an update on traceability) to attendees of the Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Association during its Horticultural Expo.
As I looked at PMA’s economic impact study, I learned that, in Tennessee, the fresh produce and floral industry accounts for 30,755 direct full time equivalent jobs. These direct jobs generate an additional 17,625 jobs for a total employment impact of 48,380 jobs. In total, these workers earn $1,209,120,857 and the total economic output is $9,536,221,697.
Getting out and connecting to members at meetings like these are one of the things I really enjoy doing for PMA. While my e-mail (and Blackberry) keeps me constantly linked to what is happening, it’s very easy to become over-reliant technology and lose sight of the value of industry gatherings.
That said, technology can be used to bridge the information gap. For those who can’t be there but would like to know what is going on at the meeting, you can follow me on Twitter.