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A Great Beginning
Shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, Theodore Roosevelt occupied the White House and the country endured another so-called “money panic.” The year was 1907 and leaders of the dried fruit industry realized that some order was needed to replace the chaos that characterized the industry at the time. These forward thinking individuals knew that lack of quality standards, questionable business practices and suspect sanitation would impede the growth of the industry in California. The newly formed Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 also served to bring the industry together as government interference in their businesses was quickly becoming a reality. At the time, Harvey W. Wiley, M.D. at the Bureau of Chemistry (forerunner of the Food and Drug Administration) was performing extensive research into the safety of food additives. Sulfur dioxide (a widely used preservative in dried fruit) was one of the substances studied during those early years. Dr. Wiley took the position that if a substance was harmful in any way, it could not be added to food. The dried fruit industry was extremely interested in this research as it could potentially have a dramatic affect on their business. These internal and external forces combined bring the industry together to form an association to help combat the threats of a rapidly changing business environment. The industry deliberations culminated in the signing the Articles of Association of the Dried Fruit Association of California on February 12, 1908. The Articles were officially accepted by the State of California on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1908. The nine founding fathers and signers of the Articles were: Albert Castle . . . . Castle Company D. J. Guggenhime . . . Guggenhime & Company J. K. Armsby . . . . . . .J. K. Armsby & Company H. E. Losse . . . . . . . . Losse Packing Company Abraham Rosenberg. . . .Rosenberg Brothers & Company C. W. Griffin . . . . . . . . Griffin-Skelly Company Alex Goldstein . . . . . . . Phoenix Packing Company Charles G. Bonner . . . . .Bonner Packing Company F. G. Baker . . . . . . . . . J. B. Inderrieden & Company Although the Articles are now a century old, the purpose of the organization is remarkably relevant even today. The original Articles state: The purpose for which it is formed are to bring into closer touch the persons engaged in the business of wholesale packing and shipping of dried fruit and kindred products in the state of California; reform abuses existing in said business, to secure freedom from unlawful and unjust exactions; to diffuse accurate and reliable information; to procure uniformity and certainty in the customs and usages of dried fruit trade and thereby broaden the basis upon the which the industry is now conducted; to appear and act for its members in such matters as adjustments and arbitrations resulting from misunderstandings or rejections of goods as between its members or their customers, and to care for any and all matters pertaining to National or State food laws, freight and loading charges and generally to perform any act appertaining to said industry, for the benefit of its members, not in conflict with the laws of the United States or of the State of California, as the same apply to corporations not formed for profit; it being understood that this association is not formed for profit but to relieve individual members of the care of such matter as may be deemed advisable, throughout the United States or abroad, and promote a more enlarged and friendly intercourse between the businessmen engaged in the industry in California. The first meeting of the members of the Dried Fruit Association was held at 112 Market Street, Room 307 in San Francisco, on February 18, 1908, at 2:00 PM. A Board of Directors was elected, Our Founders and Charles G. Bonner signed the minutes as Secretary. Immediately following the meeting of the members, the newly elected Board of Directors selected Mr. Albert E. Castle the first President of the Association. Mr. Losse was elected Vice President, and Henry P. Diamond was elected Secretary and General Manager at a salary of $250 per month. The Board also selected the location of its first office at 255 California Street, San Francisco. Stay tuned for the next 10 year history in the upcoming e-Newsletter. . |
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Comments, questions or story ideas? Please contact newsletter editor Richard Cherrix at 916.561.5900 ext. 107 or richc@agfoodsafety.org IN THIS ISSUE Speciality Crop Trade Council Annual Meeting 2009 Safe and Efficient Inspection Guidelines Time to Reevaluate Food Safety Programs The Dried Fruit Moisture Tester New Allergy Webinar to Assist with Food Safety Issues Member Spotlight: Riverwest Processing, Inc. Nestled between the Sierra Nevada and Pacific Coast Ranges in California's fertile Sacramento River Valley, lies more than a half-million acres of the world's finest, and most productive almond orchards. Riverwest Processing, Inc., located in Glenn, California, was founded in 2004 by the Koehnen and Paiva families. Their mission was simple: to provide a first-class processing destination for their growers, and a complete supply solution for customers seeking high-quality, natural California-grown almonds. read more Carrier of the Year Award The Specialty Crop Trade Council would like to announce that APL has been awarded the “Carrier of the Year” award for 2008. The “Carrier of the Year” award is based on the total number of containers shipped by the carrier in the calendar year. AgTC: “Clean Truck” Program The Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) recently wrote to the Port of Seattle Commission summarizing its support for the Port’s approach to effort to reduce emissions and improve air quality. A full copy of AgTC’s comments can be read by clicking here. DFA Terms and Conditions Clarification In mid February, members received a letter regarding the misuse of the phrase “DFA Terms and Conditions.” We would like to remind you that in actuality, the terms and conditions referenced are actually a contract developed by the California Dried Fruit Export Association (CDFEA), which is now referred to as the Specialty Crop Trade Council (SCTC.) For more information regarding these terms and conditions, and the changes in some of the trade and contract requirements in particular industry segments, please read the full letter to our industry members, and the Export Contract Terms & Conditions at http://www.agfoodsafety.org/news-events-links.php |
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