NEW President of Freshfel ( Wednesday 28 May 2008 )

Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association, representing the interests of operators across the supply chain of fresh fruits and vegetables in Europe and beyond, appointed a new president and board last week in Antwerp.

Ramon Rey (ARC-Eurobanan/Total Produce, Spain), Capespan Iberica's CEO, was elected by members, as its new President for the term 2008-2010. Ramon was previously chairman of the Freshfel Import Division (2002-2006) and most recently served as Vice-President of Freshfel Europe.

Ramon Rey stated "I am honoured to take the lead of Freshfel, an organization which is today strong, representative of the sector at large and well respected both within the industry and at the EU level. This positive image is the result of the involvement of all the members but also of the hard work and leadership of Pino Calcagni who decided not to seek re-election and from whom I proudly take over".

"The new composition of the Board will allow the Association's work to be steered by a strong team of diversified experience from production down to retailing", noted Ramon Rey. The functioning of each division has been reinforced by the appointment of a second vice-president, enlarging the expertise and membership representation at the Board level. Ramon Rey also underlined that "the renaming of the Promotion Working Group into a Committee dealing with promotion, image and communication is a clear signal of the priorities that the association is setting for the next two years".

Philippe Binard, General Delegate of Freshfel Europe, presented to the Members and Associated Members the yearly activities and achievements report for the period 2007-2008.

Ramon Rey concluded: “The Association is committed to continue its work in the coming months to take benefit of the momentum and the positive healthy assets of fruit and vegetables to develop the consumption both at home and out of home, and to raise it in all EU-27 member States to at least the minimum WHO recommendation of 400 grams/per day”.

Freshfel Europe currently has over 200 members, including both companies and associations. Freshfel’s work is organised on the basis of its four divisions: Import, Export, Wholesale and Distribution, and Supply Chain and Retail. In addition, Freshfel Europe has set up various Working Groups on specific food topics incorporating the views of European experts. For more information, contact the association at info@freshfel.org

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