Last week, CDFA in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico hosted a delegation of fresh fruit importers and retailers to visit orchard and packing operations, as well engage in educational programing focusing on food safety and post-harvest handling.
The visit connected growers with foreign buyers and expanded trade connections in California’s third largest agricultural export market valued at more than $1.9 billion.
As part of the visit, CDFA’s Division of Inspection Services and the California Department of Public Health’s Food and Drug Branch highlighted the state’s produce food safety program and the California Food Emergency Response Team (CalFERT).
Collaboration for this trade mission included the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Table Grape Commission and California Cherries.