This article originally appeared in The Produce News on Jan. 12, 2023; copyright The Produce News
by Center for Produce Safety
Center for Produce Safety has developed a reputation for bringing together today’s diverse stakeholders to work toward the goal of enhancing fresh produce food safety. At the same time, the center is also working to cultivate the next generation of science talent for tomorrow’s produce safety community.
For several years, CPS has worked to level up the skills of young scientists assisting CPS-funded researchers. They already know CPS and understand produce safety; the center rounds out their STEM skills with leadership, communication and business etiquette.
A leading food retailer noted this training better prepares these scientists for careers from the laboratory to the produce department, and the supply chain links and stakeholders in between.
Tammi Frederick, H-E-B’s vice president of quality assurance and food safety, spoke about attracting science talent during a CPS Executive Conversation for industry contributors. H-E-B is a Bronze Level contributor to CPS; Frederick’s colleague Danielle Mesa serves on CPS’s Technical Committee.
“Having the technical science degree is a point of entry,” said Frederick. “But we also need talent who can work with people, influence people, as well as impact and drive results. It takes a combination of the technical skills along with the soft skills to be successful in these roles.”
CPS’s Professional Development Program has simple origins. Funded researchers’ students received travel grants to assist at our annual Research Symposium. There, they learned the latest produce safety science, and gained additional perspective by networking with attendees.
Reimagined in 2021 and sponsored partly by Bayer, today’s program for Ph.D. candidates, postdoctoral researchers and master’s program students adds virtual coaching sessions and mentoring.
CPS’s vision: The scientists who choose research careers are better prepared to design effective research and transfer learnings from the laboratory to industry. Those who come to work in the industry can more effectively communicate produce safety science to their business teams, lead their companies through challenging situations and ultimately influence change.
This is invaluable to industry, noted H-E-B’s Frederick. “Most of the stakeholders we’re working with are not scientists,” she said. “It’s our food safety team’s role to educate our business teams and get their support so we can drive awareness to our supplier base and ensure we deliver a safe, high-quality product to the customer consistently day after day.”
Reprinted with permission from Center for Produce Safety’s 2021 annual report, released in August 2022. For more information about CPS and its work to fund science, find solutions and fuel change in fresh produce food safety, visit www.CenterforProduceSafety.org.