FPFC DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
December 8, 2021 Anaheim Hills Golf Course
Illustrates Industry’s Generosity
Fresh Digest | 15
Holiday Charity Auction
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council held a successful
charity auction and luncheon on Wednesday,
Dec. 8, at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course. With
more than 270 produce industry members in attendance,
FPFC raised more than $127,000 for Caterina’s
Club and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange
County.
Chef Bruno Serato from Caterina’s Club and
Claudia Keller of Second Harvest Food Bank spoke
of the hardships both organizations have experienced
throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The struggle of
internal labor shortages due to strict health guidelines
and an increasing amount of food insecurity among
clients meant that they had to pivot and start finding
new ways to feed people.
“The generosity of this industry is amazing,” said
Bryan Presley of Albertsons. “The support the FPFC
members showed for Caterina’s Club and Second Harvest
Food Bank was incredible. Our members helped a
lot of people in need today.”
Michael Schutt of Raley’s and Brian Cook of Pete’s
held the live auction and kept the crowd thoroughly
entertained throughout the bidding. The live auction
items included many outings with FPFC member retailers.
“The FPFC is very appreciative of the personal
donation of retailer time and support of Albertsons,
Bristol Farms, Cardenas Markets, Northgate Gonzalez
Markets, Safeway, Sprouts and Stater Bros. Markets,”
said FPFC President Don Gann.
FPFC’s 2021 Chairman Sean McClure of Professional
Produce commented, “The FPFC is grateful
to its members for their continued participation and
charitable support of both Caterina’s Club and Second
Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. With a
silent and a live auction, as well as onsite donations,
our members certainly outdid themselves this year. I’m
constantly inspired by our members’ kindness, generosity,
and sense of humor. There are so many exciting
things in store for our members ahead in 2022. Our
Annual Dinner Dance will be in February and Expo in
April. Please register for both events at www.FPFC.
org. We can’t wait to share them both with our fantastic
members and industry alike.”
Michael Schutt of Raley’s as one of the guest auctioneers.