'We are up for this challenge'

Farm Bureau President speaks out
on spinach and E. coli

Thursday, September 29, 2006

The announcement by the Food and Drug Administration today that they have narrowed the search for the source of the recent E. coli in spinach to a single processor is "a good first step in the road to recovery for consumers and for the family farmers and ranchers in this valley," said Doug Mosebar, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation.

Doug Mosebar and King City farmer Bob Martin, immediate past president of Monterey County Farm Bureau.
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Mosebar traveled to Monterey County to listen to the concerns of local growers and express his support of their efforts to weather this storm. Mosebar toured local spinach fields and provided an update to local growers and the media on the steps Farm Bureau has taken to stay abreast of this very important issue. He stated that Farm Bureau has been working very closely with the Governor's office, the California Department of Health Services and other leaders to find answers to this puzzle.

"I know you will agree with me that food safety is our top priority. We can leave no doubt about this as we work to provide that food for consumers and for our families," Mosebar said. "We will work very hard in the months ahead to get our customers back, and further enhance our already stringent food safety procedures both in the fields and in the packaging and processing areas."

"We will take a very coordinated and multifaceted approach to gaining consumer trust back. As family farmers, we are resilient and we are up for this challenge."