Western Growers Western Growers has committed $1 million to the Center for Produce Safety’s Campaign for Produce Safety, bringing total commitments to the campaign to more than $10 million.

Western Growers’ grower members produce more than 50 percent of the fresh produce found in U.S. grocery stores.

“It is fitting and a testament to the relationship between Western Growers and CPS, characterized by nearly a decade of cooperation and collaboration between the two organizations, that our $1 million contribution puts CPS’s fundraising campaign over the $10 million mark,” Tom Nassif, Western Growers president and CEO, said in a statement.

Steve Patricio, chairman of both CPS and its Campaign for Produce Safety and president and CEO of Westside Produce, thanked Western Growers for the contribution. Patricio is also a member of Western Growers’ board.

“The Center for Produce Safety board and staff are honored and humbled by the overwhelming support the campaign has received so far,” Patricio said. “Our industry is telling us loud and clear that they value our mission and work. We will safeguard that trust and work continually to earn it anew.”

CPS is seeking to raise $20 million over the next five years to fund critically needed, actionable produce safety research. To date, the campaign has raised $10,012,000.