BrightFarms strengthens focus on food safety

Hawkins will oversee all aspects of food safety and quality assurance as the company aims to continue its growth into new markets. Her responsibilities will include the development and execution of BrightFarms' food safety protocols across five facilities, as well as the coordination of customer, regulatory, and third-party audits.

"Under Jackie's leadership, BrightFarms is delivering the safest and freshest leafy greens to the nation's largest retailers," Norbury says. "She has built an industry-leading food safety program for the indoor production of leafy greens, and our rigorous protocols have set the standard for other companies in our space. We are fortunate to have her leadership and expertise as we continue to grow."

Since joining BrightFarms in 2016, Hawkins contributions have been critical to the success of the company's world-class operations team. She has designed and implemented the most comprehensive food safety program in the indoor farming industry and maintains close working relationships with leading food safety experts in the produce industry. In 2018, Hawkins led the development of the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Food Safety Coalition, an independent and member-governed organization whose membership is comprised of controlled environment leafy greens growers who subject their production processes to external audit. She also led BrightFarms' early adoption of IBM's Food Trust platform to enhance traceability with blockchain technology.

"Food safety is a personal passion that I've dedicated my career to, and I couldn't be more thrilled to step into my expanded role," Hawkins says. "I'm thrilled that I have the opportunity to work for a company that places food safety at the center of everything we do. I look forward to continuing to advance our leading protocols and providing our consumers with the safest, freshest, and most nutritious greens on the market."

Hawkins graduated from Oregon State University in 2016 with a B.S. in Environmental Science.

Photo: Jackie Hawkins. Courtesy of Greenhouse Grower

Source: Greenhouse Grower

Source: Greenhouse Grower