United Fresh Senior Vice President Robert Guenther is in Charlotte, N.C. today urging growers and other industry members to strongly consider the potential benefits of a National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (NLGMA) as the USDA continues a series of public hearings in the matter.

"It is critical that the produce industry be heard on this matter," said Guenther. "The Charlotte hearings offer growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast a chance to get involved in shaping the standards, ensuring local differences are allowed for, setting the funding rates, and really writing the rules of the road."

Today's hearing is the final in the series organized by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to consider the NLGMA proposal, which would establish a voluntary marketing agreement for leafy greens.

United President Tom Stenzel testified at a hearing earlier this month in Columbus, Ohio about the potential value of the NLGMA in restoring consumer confidence in fresh produce.

Also participating in the hearings were representatives of Western Growers Association. The NLGMA proponent group includes Georgia Fresh Vegetable Association, Georgia Farm Bureau, Produce Marketing Association, Western Growers Association, Texas Vegetable Association, Arizona Farm Bureau, Leafy Greens Council, California Farm Bureau, California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California and United Fresh.

For more information on the NLGMA, please visit www.nlgma.org or contact United Fresh at 202-303-3400.