New PMA award recognizes use of science, technology

NEWARK, DEL. — Do you know an individual or organization in the fresh produce or floral supply chain that has created or implemented a technology, product or process that has boosted labor efficiencies or created the ability to work smarter? Nominate them by March 24 for Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) new Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award.

The new award seeks to recognize those who are solving business challenges by applying advances in science and/or technology to create better products, processes or customer value. In particular, the award will recognize an individual or organization whose technology, service or process has impacted labor efficiencies or led to the ability to work smarter.

“Science and technology are playing an ever-important role in our industry, particularly to help us solve labor challenges, work smarter and create new business opportunities,” said PMA chief science & technology officer Bob Whitaker, Ph.D. “By recognizing innovators in this area, we hope to inspire our industry to follow their lead – that’s why the award is named ‘Circle of Excellence.’”

Nominations must be submitted by a PMA member, though nominees do not have to be members. Self-nominations are accepted. There is no cost to submit a nomination. A panel including PMA staff science and technology subject matter experts and industry executives will select the 2017 award winner.

The award winner will be announced at PMA’s Tech Knowledge Conference May 4-5 in Monterey, Calif., and recognized again at PMA’s Fresh Summit Oct. 19-20 in New Orleans, La. The winner will receive complimentary full registration to this year’s Tech Knowledge and Fresh Summit, and be recognized via PMA public relations, social media channels and FRESH magazine, and on PMA.com.

For more information and to apply for the Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award, visit pma.com/topics/technology.