Ann Donahue
Western Growers, Director, Marketing and Communications
Ann Donahue serves as Director, Marketing and Communications for Western Growers, where she is responsible for external communication efforts and publicizing the Association’s executives, initiatives, and members across all media platforms. Ann spent more than 20 years as an editor and reporter covering entertainment journalism, with bylines at publications including Variety, the L.A. Times, Billboard, […]
Posts By: Anna Ramirez-Castro
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FDA Names Donna Garren Director of Produce Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had named Dr. Donna Garren as Director of the Office of Produce Safety within the Human Foods Program’s Office of Microbiological Food Safety, effective June 29, 2026. Garren brings extensive experience in food safety, regulatory affairs and industry collaboration, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for the…
FDA Leadership Changes Signal Continued Focus on Human Food Program
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced leadership changes impacting the agency's Human Food Program (HFP), with Kyle Diamantas named Acting FDA Commissioner, replacing Martin Makary. Don Prater will now serve as Acting Deputy Commissioner for the Human Foods Program. Diamantas has played a leading role in several recent FDA reform and chemical safety…
Western Growers Science FAQ on Prop 65 and Science-Based Context for Cadmium in Spinach
As questions continue around Prop 65 notices related to cadmium in spinach, Western Growers Science has developed a FAQ document to help provide additional content and science-based information for the industry. The resource covers regulatory considerations, research findings, and current efforts underway to support growers. Access the Prop 65 FAQ here.
FDA Finalizes Food Chemical Postmarket Assessment Framework
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized its updated process for postmarket assessment of chemicals in food, establishing a new framework and prioritization tool that will help the agency identify substances for future review. The framework is intended to create a more systematic and transparent approach to evaluating food chemicals by monitoring potential hazards,…
CDFA Opens Climate Bond Grant Concept Proposals
CDFA’s Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) is now accepting concept proposals for its Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP), funded through the state's Climate Bond. The funding supports climate smart agriculture practices that improve water efficiency, build soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At this…
CA Longitudinal Study (CALS) Industry Briefing — Register by February 20
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and UC Davis researchers will present key findings from the California Longitudinal Study, a multi-year study on foodborne pathogens in the Central Coast agricultural region. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and California Agricultural Neighbors will lead discussions on next steps resulting from this work. Learn more and…
Reduced-Cost Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Courses for California Growers
The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), in sponsorship with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), is offering Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Courses at a reduced cost for California growers and handlers through June 2026. Courses are offered live online over two consecutive days. The course registration fee is $10.00 for…
Why Food Safety Is Becoming One of the Smartest Investments You Can Make
A new article in Food Safety Magazine underscores a shift that’s reshaping the food industry: food safety is no longer just a compliance cost; it’s a strategic advantage. With pressures from recalls and customer expectations, companies are realizing that prevention delivers real, measurable ROI. The article highlights how seemingly small issues can escalate into multimillion-dollar…
Registration Open: Western Growers Legal Updates for 2026 Webinar
Stay ahead of the curve with the latest developments in employment law. The Western Growers Legal Update for 2026 webinar will help HR professionals navigate recent changes in employment law, compliance requirements and case law trends. Join Teresa McQueen, Corporate Counsel III at Western Growers, as she breaks down what’s new and how these changes may impact your HR policies and…
A Plain Language Guide to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Developed by the Western Growers Science team in collaboration with Creme Global, this guide provides a beginner-friendly introduction to the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Whether you’re completely new to these topics or simply curious about how they apply to agriculture, food safety or everyday problem solving, this resource offers a clear overview of the…
Date Change for CA Longitudinal Study (CALS) Industry Briefing
The CALS Industry Briefing, originally scheduled for December 11, 2025, has been postponed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The event, hosted by CDFA, will now take place on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 1:30 PM at the Monterey Conference Center. FDA and UC Davis researchers will present key findings from this multi-year study on foodborne pathogens in the Central Coast…
Get a Free Soil Test from the Soil Health Institute
Find out how healthy your soil is and how healthy it can become by taking part in a study by the Soil Health Institute (SHI). Through November 15, SHI is collecting soil samples from farms primarily in Merced, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties. Participating growers will receive: Comprehensive soil health and carbon stock report $100 check following a farm visit and an…
Western Growers Science at the 2025 Organic Grower Summit
The Organic Grower Summit (OGS) returns December 3-4, in Monterey, Calif., bringing together organic producers, suppliers and innovators to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of organic agriculture. This year, Joelle Mosso, AVP of Science Programs at Western Growers, is helping guide the event as a member of the OGS Advisory Panel, a group of thought leaders and…
Western Growers Nexus: Where Food Safety Expertise Meets Collective Action
The Western Growers Nexus is an upcoming educational and professional development program designed to advance the practice of food safety risk management in the fresh produce industry. Spearheaded by Joelle Mosso, AVP of Science Programs, and the Western Growers Science team, Nexus will bring together professionals from across the supply chain to learn, collaborate and apply science-based…
CDFA Seeks Public Comment for California’s Climate Resilience Strategy for Agriculture
Comment accepted through Friday, November 7, 2025. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has released its Climate Resilience Strategy for California Agriculture for public comment. The plan helps agricultural communities prepare for and adapt to a changing climate. “We are already feeling the effects of climate change and want to do all we can to build…
Register for the WGU Having Tough Conversations Webinars
HRCI credit is available. Are you struggling to give direct feedback and helpful corrections? This interactive session will provide you with tools to structure difficult conversations in ways that are both respectful and productive. You’ll learn seven proven tips to navigate tough discussions that build more authentic, meaningful working relationships while driving stronger performance…
New Research Article Reviews Cadmium Mitigation Strategies in Spinach and Carrots
A new article published in HortScience, “Factors Affecting Cadmium Accumulation and Mitigation: A Literature Review to Inform Spinach and Carrot Producers,” explores how cadmium (Cd), a nonessential element with potential adverse health consequences, can potentially enter the human food system predominantly through plant uptake from soils and the available agronomic practices used to reduce…
Western Growers Gustavo Reyes Among the 2025 “40 Under 40” Leaders in Food Safety
We are proud to celebrate Gustavo Reyes, Senior Manager of Food Safety and Predictive Analytics at Western Growers, for being named to the 2025 “40 Under 40” by the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness. This recognition honors rising leaders under 40 who are making significant contributions to food safety. At Western Growers, Gustavo develops data programs through the GreenLink®…
CDC Releases 2023 Summary of Multistate Enteric Disease Outbreaks
The CDC has released a summary of possible multistate outbreaks of enteric diseases for 2023, highlighting key trends in foodborne animal-related illnesses. The CDC and state and regulatory partners investigated 181 possible multistate outbreaks caused by Salmonella, STEC, Listeria and Campylobacter. Of these, 84 were confirmed as outbreaks, and investigators were able to solve 50,…
Reliable Food Safety Programs Start with Stronger Foundations
Behind every successful food safety program are two things: accurate data and effective leadership. When sampling isn’t representative or when compliance and production feel at odds, programs struggle to deliver the reliability teams depend on. The key is knowing how to strengthen both the science and the management strategy. That’s exactly what we’ll focus on during a two-part workshop…