News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contact: Amy Philpott, (202) 303-3400 ext. 425
aphilpott@unitedfresh.org

Washington, D.C. - The United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) today announced that Steffanie Smith, CEO of River Point Farms LLC in Hermiston, Oregon, will be the featured speaker at the 2008 Reception Honoring Women in Produce, during the United Fresh convention May 5-7 in Las Vegas. Co-sponsored by Driscoll’s and D'Arrigo Brothers Company of New York, Inc., the annual reception honors all women working in the produce industry, and pays special tribute to one outstanding female industry leader, this year being Smith.

Smith was named CEO of River Point Farms in October 2007 after serving as president of the Deli/Prepared Foods Division of Taylor Farms, one of the largest fresh-cut vegetable suppliers to the foodservice industry. Prior to that Smith served as president of Pacific Pre-cut Produce for ten years before it was acquired by Taylor Farms in August 2005. Smith worked at National Pre-Cut Produce in the early days of the bagged salad industry, from 1993-1995, focusing on sales and marketing, where she learned the operations side of the fresh-cut business. Before moving to Salinas in 1993, Smith worked at United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, and she now serves on the United Fresh Board of Directors. She has also served on the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.

“I am honored to have been chosen as the featured speaker for the reception recognizing women in produce,” said Smith. “With almost twenty years of experience in the produce business, I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work with many talented professionals who have devoted their careers to this industry. It is truly humbling to be recognized among these leaders.”

Smith’s history in produce started with her family’s business in the farming and marketing of potatoes, onions and apples. Her family business, Skone & Connors, continues to operate in eastern Washington today. Smith received her B.S. in Political Science from University of California, Los Angeles.

The Reception Honoring Women in Produce is open to all attendees and will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday, May 5, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Islander A/F rooms. One of the most popular networking events for both men and women at the United Fresh Marketplace expo, the reception has been held annually since 1995.

Additional information about United Fresh, Las Vegas is a click away, and online registration is quick and easy at http://www.unitedfreshshows.com/.

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United Fresh Produce Association is the leading industry trade association committed to driving the growth and success of produce companies and their partners. United Fresh represents the interests of member companies throughout the global, fresh produce supply chain, including family-owned, private and publicly traded businesses as well as regional, national and international companies. The association was founded in 1904 to represent the produce industry, and recently took the name United Fresh as a result of the 2006 merger of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the International Fresh-cut Produce Association. To find our more about United Fresh, please visit http://www.unitedfresh.org/.