The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) selected Fresh Express, Inc. as the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Black Pearl Award. Sponsored by Wilbur Feagan and F & H Food Equipment Company, the Black Pearl Award will be presented at the IAFP 2010 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA in
August.

This honor is given annually to one company for its efforts in advancing food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards and support of the goals and objectives of IAFP.

Fresh Express, Inc., based in Salinas, CA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and a producer of fresh salads. Fresh Express created the world’s first packaged salads for the foodservice industry over 30 years ago. Later, with their invention of the Keep Crisp Bag®, Fresh Express salads were made available in retail stores for the first time nationwide. Today, more than 60 Fresh Express salad products are available in 24,000 grocery stores throughout the U.S.

“We are humbled to accept the Black Pearl Award, following several world-class companies that have received it in the past,” says Fernando Aguirre, CEO, Chiquita Brands International, Inc. ♦

June/July 2010