Georgia Grown Profile: Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association

Originally published in the March 19, 2014, issue

 

Group promotes networking, industry trends to membership

By Erica Lummus, spring intern

 

The Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association was established to help support Georgia’s produce industry and to increase the members that make up its network. By increasing the members who are involved, it will improve and increase the profitability of the industry. 

 

“We are an ally for the industry and have a seat at the table with decision makers in both state and federal governments,” said Director of Communications Samantha Kilgore.

 

The services that GFVGA offers are intended to grow productivities, provide educational opportunities to members, promote new markets in the industry and improve communications between GFVGA members and industry suppliers. The association makes it a priority to keep members as educated and fully informed of new information on new industry trends.

 

GFVGA provides services such as food safety consultations, legislative representation and educational workshops. It also coordinates and plans the annual Southeastern Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference with the Georgia and South Carolina peach councils. 

 

Many of the members of GFVGA are also members of Georgia Grown and the association sees it as yet another chance for the state and the industry to work together as a team to support local, homegrown produce. The association is a proud supporter and promoter of the Georgia Grown program and is involved in many educational events and programs throughout the year at which it offers opportunities for Georgia Grown to be advertised.

 

The association is looking forward to continuing working with Georgia Grown to represent the state and hopes to continue educating people about the agriculture industry in Georgia and to help show how vital it is to the state economy’s success.