Report cards and raises are two common ways in which we are able to measure our performance. Seemingly I remember the glory, the fear (6th grade was not my year) and the occasional frustration with each one I received through all the years of school and my career. But with each one, I knew where I stood. I either needed to make specific improvements or I need to keep the momentum going.
At the start of 2014, the fresh produce industry received a significant “report card” and raise that will validate our drive forward. In the last two weeks, the Center for Nutrition gave us high marks in a positive evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools effort. Then the signing of the Farm Bill on Friday signifies a 55% increase in the government’s investment in our industry’s competitiveness and the nutritional wellbeing of Americans. It appears we’re starting off 2014 with straight A’s, a raise and HUGE potential. Here’s a summary of both “wins:”
While there are far many more ways to measure the performance of our industry, we hope these fact-based indicators provide us with the benchmarks and the incentive to keep raising the bar for food that is grown!
