Quick hitters

Some notes this morning from the inbox:

PMA Foundation name change
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Education Foundation announced today that it has officially changed its name to the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent. The name change culminates a three-month long strategic planning process, and more closely reflects the newly refined purpose and goals of the foundation.

“We feel that ‘Foundation for Industry Talent’ conveys our mission more effectively than our former name,” said Cindy Seel, executive director for the foundation. “We are indeed dedicated to education of the produce industry’s labor talent, but more importantly we are dedicated to a broader spectrum of attracting, developing and retaining superior talent to sustain a vibrant, global produce supply chain.”

In recent months, the foundation has been very focused on fulfilling its $5 million goal of its capital campaign, “Our Industry…Our People”. The monies contributed will support the foundation’s 2008-2012 programs, and finance development of new initiatives such as leadership training and education tools to appeal to all levels of industry leaders, visiting professor programs, and information and tools that encourage employee loyalty and retention.

NRA Food Safety - Check out more detail on the Fresh Talk calendar at bottom of the page
The National Restaurant Association today announced that registration is open for its "Food Safety in the 21st Century Marketplace: Best Practices Throughout the Supply Chain" conference in Atlanta October 22-24, 2008. In partnership with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and the Gerson Lehrman Group, the conference will explore the many facets and challenges of food safety, at all points in the foodservice supply chain.

Goodlatte names new communications staffer
Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte is pleased to announce that Tamara Hinton will serve as the new Communications Director for the Committee. Hinton replaces Alise Kowalski who recently took a new position in a public relations firm in Kansas City.
Prior to joining the Committee, Hinton was a general assignment reporter for WVIR NBC29 News for four years. The television station is based in Charlottesville, but she worked in the Augusta County bureau covering Shenandoah Valley news. During her time there she covered everything from agriculture and politics to major national stories such as the Virginia Tech shootings, the 2006 midterm election, and the five year anniversary of September 11^th in New York.