US growers associations begin to offer recall coverage
Two agricultural associations have teamed up to provide producers with an insurance policy covering the cost of product recall. The insurance coverage is being promoted by United Fresh Produce Association and Western Growers. The coverage, dubbed Western Growers Shield, covers risk presented by factors such as property, contamination, recall, liability and non-physical damage loss of income.
The United Fresh Produce Association and Western Growers (WG) have entered into a formal marketing agreement to jointly promote the Western Growers Shield, a first-of-its-kind insurance programme specifically designed to protect food companies from recall liability.

“This programme represents an innovative solution to a critical bottom line issue facing our members,” said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh president and chief executive. “Our Finance & Business Administration Council was very impressed with this programme, and we look forward to working with the WG team to bring recall insurance to every segment of the fresh produce supply chain.”

Under the terms of the agreement, United Fresh will exclusively endorse and promote the proprietary programme encompassing property, contamination, recall, liability and non-physical damage loss of income.

“United Fresh and Western Growers have a long history of working together to promote the competitiveness and profitability of the fresh produce industry,” said Tom Nassif, Western Growers president and CEO. “With United’s reach into states not currently served by WG, and relationships with food companies from farm to fork, this partnership is the next logical step in protecting the long-term viability of our collective memberships.”

United Fresh and WG will also work together to provide several other proprietary WG solutions to the fresh produce industry.

