Jan 24, 2024

IFPA names vice president of sustainability

Tamara Muruetagoiena is the International Fresh Produce Association’s first ever vice president of sustainability.

Muruetagoiena joined the organization in April 2022 and established the critical importance of the produce and floral industry taking the lead in sustainability efforts of the entire fresh and food systems.

“When Tamara joined our team, it was a reflection of the importance of providing member resources and guidance for and on behalf of industry on sustainability,” Max Teplitski, IFPA chief science officer, said in a news release. “We’re thrilled that she’ll be taking on this elevated role.  This reflects not only the global need for produce and floral’s role in creating more a more sustainable industry but also her stellar leadership in the area throughout her career in the industry.”

Muruetagoiena will lead IFPA’s efforts supported by the USDA Climate-Smart Pilots project, in addition to other new and established initiatives. Muruetagoiena is the co-chair of the Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI), which is working to benchmark global sustainability standards. 

“Since joining IFPA, Tamara has been vital to creating, capturing and sharing the sustainability and climate-smart practices we are developing as an industry,” said Ed Treacy, IFPA vice president of supply chain, in the release. “Tamara’s expertise in leading sustainability efforts along with her in depth knowledge of carbon credits, green financing and more has allowed the association to elevate and amplify our sustainability efforts and influence to create a sustainable produce and floral supply chain.” 

Muruetagoiena joined IFPA with more than two decades of experience in the agriculture and environmental arenas. Prior to joining the association, she led Great Mountain Forest promoting conservation and sustainable forestry, she served as a senior global manager in sustainability and research and development at Driscoll’s, and also served as a policy advisor to the European Union Parliament. 

“Sustainability is an issue of vital importance to IFPA members and the global produce and floral community, which is why we’ve invested in growing our resources and expertise in this space,” IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said in  the release.

“Through the combination of her background, expertise and her passion of sustainability, Tamara has elevated our industry and IFPA to become a transformative influence on global sustainability conversations and initiatives,” Burns said.