California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Honors Governor Schwarzenegger With "Golden Checkmark" Award for Innovative Food Safety Program.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- While a national debate on how to improve the safety of the U.S. food supply continues, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is being honored by the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement for his role in developing an innovative food safety program. The award was presented to Governor Schwarzenegger today as part of the state's celebration of "Ag Day."

Three years ago, Governor Schwarzenegger saw the need for increased government oversight of food safety systems within the leafy greens industry following an E. coli outbreak associated with spinach. Schwarzenegger, working with the leafy greens industry, quickly established the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, which created a mechanism for mandatory government inspections to ensure compliance with established food safety practices on leafy greens farms. The LGMA is the first program of its kind in the nation.

Today, Schwarzenegger was presented with the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement's "Golden Checkmark" Award for his leadership and support of mandatory government inspection of food safety systems within the produce industry. This is the first time the award has been presented.

"We've heard a lot of talk recently about the need for mandatory government oversight of food safety systems within the food industry," said Joe Pezzini, a leafy greens farmer and chairman of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Board. "What few realize is that a system to provide government inspection of food safety systems already exists for California leafy greens. We have Governor Schwarzenegger to thank for establishing this unprecedented program to protect public health."

Pezzini went on to explain that with the creation of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, a system is now in place which involves mandatory government inspections to ensure food safety practices are being followed by California leafy greens farmers. Since the LGMA's inception in April 2007 nearly 1,000 audits of California leafy greens farms have been conducted by government inspectors.

The LGMA is operated with oversight from the California Department of Food and Agriculture under the direction of Schwarzenegger cabinet-member A.G. Kawamura, Secretary of CDFA. Through the program, audits of California leafy greens farms are conducted on a regular and random basis by government inspectors employed by the CDFA and trained by the United States Department of Agriculture.

"California farmers of leafy greens products, like lettuce and spinach, have the force of law behind them through these government agencies to ensure the food safety practices are enforced," said Secretary Kawamura, adding that the LGMA represents a public/private partnership with a common goal to protect public health. "The government provides third-party program oversight and conducts all inspections, while the cost of these inspections is paid for through industry assessments. The system is an efficient utilization of resources during these times of severe budget constraints."

Kawamura also noted the LGMA has become a model for programs in other states and a national leafy greens marketing agreement is being considered by the United States Department of Agriculture.

"With this Golden Checkmark award, LGMA members are recognizing Governor Schwarzenegger's leadership and foresight to protect public health and promote improved food safety systems," continued Pezzini. "It is our way of thanking the Governor for his assistance in developing this program and for taking a stand to protect public health. Without the Governor's commitment to ensuring government oversight of food safety systems in the leafy greens industry, this program would not be possible."

For more information on the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, please visit their website at www.caleafygreens.ca.gov.

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