The CLFP Annual Board of Directors Meeting was held on April 27-28 at the Vintner’s Resort in Santa Rosa. The vibrant energy and active engagement of the attendees resulted in compelling conversations, featuring some of the most influential figures in the industry, making it a truly exceptional event.

 

Smyth is the Senior Vice President of Operations of Olam Food Ingredients (ofi), which is based in Fresno, CA. ofi sources from 2.75 million farmers, retains over 20,000 employees, operates globally, and focuses on producing high-quality products such as cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices.
 
Other 2023-2024 CLFP officers elected were Melvin Ward, Sunsweet Growers, Inc., Yuba City, CA, as first vice chair, and Mona Shulman, Pacific Coast Producers, Lodi, CA, as second vice chair. Jim Lipman, California Olive Ranch, Chico, CA, will continue as immediate past chair.
 
CLFP board of director members were nominated to serve new and continued terms on the executive committee.
 
Nominated for 2023-2025 terms were: Lily Chiem, Kagome, Inc., Los Banos, CA; Danny Green, Los Gatos Tomato Products, Huron, CA; Tim Hamilton, ConAgra Brands, Inc., Oakdale, CA; Frank Mecozzi, Del Mar Food Products Corp., Watsonville, CA; and Chris Rufer, The Morning Star Packing Company, Woodland, CA.
 
Nominated for 2023-2024 terms were: Jon Alby, Leprino Foods Company, Denver, CO; Nick Kastle, J.G. Boswell Company, Pasadena, CA; David Kiehn, Campbell Soup Supply Company, Dixon, CA; Chris Lehikainen, Stanislaus Food Products, Modesto, CA; Aret Meyer, Sensient Natural Ingredients, LLC, Turlock CA; and Michael Wood, Hilmar Cheese Company, Hilmar, CA.

 

 

 

 

AB 418 (Gabriel): Bans brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye 3, and titanium dioxide in food products.  (OPPOSE; Assembly Floor)
AB 660 (Irwin): Establishes “sell by” labeling requirements for food products.  (OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED; Assembly Appropriations Committee)
AB 1290 (L. Rivas): Bans opaque plastic packaging and plastic packaging that contains certain chemicals, pigments, or additives. (OPPOSE; Assembly Floor)
SB 235 (Wiener): Requires companies with more than $1,000,000,000 in annual revenue to report their “Scope 3” emissions to a public database.  (OPPOSE; Assembly Appropriations Committee)

SB 616 – Increase paid sick days from three days to seven.  (OPPOSE)
SB 399 – Improperly and broadly prohibits employer speech about union activity and political matters.  (OPPOSE)
AB 524 – Creates a new protected category under employment discrimination for “family caregiver” status (broadly worded to include almost anyone).  (OPPOSE)
 

CLFP will be moving to a new office starting July 1, 2023. Our team will be landing at 2377 Gold Meadow Way. Suite 285 Gold River, CA 95670.