History of the PMA Foundation

- PMA Board recognized education/training as 2nd highest goal
- Acknowledged difficulty of recruiting/retaining good people
- Lack of awareness of produce as a career option

- Pack Family Career Pathways program, created through contributions from the Jay and Ruthie Pack Family Foundation and PMA, debuts at PMA’s Fresh Summit

- PMA Board approved creation of the PMA Education Foundation to address the talent issues of the industry

- PMA Education Foundation incorporated in the state of Delaware
- PMA pledges $500,000 to launch the PMA Education Foundation

- Bylaws written and approved by interim PMA Foundation Board

- Officially recognized as a charitable organization by the IRS securing tax exempt 501(c)3 status

- Career Pathways program initiated at PMA’s Foodservice Conference (originally the Nucci Scholarship for Culinary Innovation)

- Hired first Executive Director

- Developed logo

- Inaugural PMA Education Foundation Board of Directors takes office

- Launch of the Capital Campaign: Our Industry…Our People Campaign
- PMA Education Foundation becomes the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent

- Career Pathways program expands to Fresh Produce & Floral Council

- Leadership Symposium becomes a PMA Foundation program

- Career Pathways program expands to New England Produce Council (NEPC)

- Women’s Fresh Perspectives becomes a PMA Foundation event

- Fifth Anniversary of the Career Pathways program brings 45 students from 8 U.S. universities and 4 international universities
- First Young Professionals reception held at PMA’s Fresh Summit- ProduceJobSource.com is launched as resource tool for Industry

- Capital Campaign wraps up, reaches over $4.5 million in commitments

- Strategic Plan 2010 Completed

- Inaugural Emerging Leaders Program held in conjunction with the Thunderbird School of Global Management

- Presented first Young Professionals Webinar

- Career Pathways program launches pilot program with Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA)

- Inaugural Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference held in conjunction with Simmons School of Management
- Career Pathways program launches new program with Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA)

- Pack Family Career Pathways program celebrates its Tenth Anniversary