American Council for Food Safety & Quality

Staff Spotlight: Patrick Ferreira

By Gary Ford

Serving as the Vice President of ACFSQ/DFA and Commodity Program Director for the Northern District, Patrick J. Ferreira has been a valued employee since 1975, and is the center of this staff spotlight.

Mr. Ferreira manages the overall operations of the Prune Program and plays a key role in promoting a better understanding between growers, processors and purchasers of dried fruit and tree nuts, as well as encouraging sound trade
practices which benefits the producer, the processor, the distributor and the consumer. Patrick is a certified GMA-SAFE Auditor and a certified BRC Third Party Food Safety Auditor.

When asked his response to learning he was selected for the staff spotlight, Patrick said "What a surprise! It is an honor and privilege to be selected as the focus of the ACFSQ/DFA Staff Spotlight. I have truly enjoyed working with the members of our association and staff for the past 30 years."

He went on to express his gratitude for the number of people who have helped him along his path, saying "Over the years, management has allowed me to develop a number of skills throughout my career. I started out in the San Jose area as a Prune Inspector. Then, in 1976 I was relocated to the Yuba-Sutter area. I was placed in charge of the Incoming Prune Inspection program. In the late 70's, I became involved with the administration of our sanitation program."

In 1996, Patrick was appointed Secretary of the Specialty Crop Trade Council (SCTC), formerly known as the California Dried Fruit & Nut Export Association (CDFEA). Since that time the Association has been restructured, expanding membership and providing additional services which help make the organization more vibrant and meaningful to its members. In 2004, he became a Certified Food Safety Auditor.

According to Patrick, "Food safety is the hot topic today. You can't go anywhere without discussing this issue and our role as an Association has become even more important in providing food safety audits and services to our members."

When asked about his career highlights, Patrick said "As an ACFSQ/DFA employee, I had the opportunity to travel to Geneva, Switzerland and attend the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe), fifty-first and fifty-third session of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce. In Geneva, I served as a delegate, representing the United States of America. Attending these meetings provided an interesting insight as to how other countries view product quality grade standards."

Patrick currently oversees the prune and walnut inspections conducted in Northern California; he is involved with the SCTC organization and is an active Food Safety Auditor. Patrick's peers refer to him as "Highly resourceful and a knowledgeable team player with the ability to effectively solve problems."

In 1991, Patrick was instrumental in ACFSQ/DFA being awarded the 1st Annual Neal J. Denny Memorial Award, for outstanding contributions to the Prune Industry. He later went on to help ACFSQ/DFA receive the United States Food and Drug Administration, Hammer Award – National Performance Review, FDA, ORA Pacific Region and DFA of California, which was presented by Al Gore, Vice President of the United States.

Patrick has been, and continues to be extremely involved in outside organizations, such as the Institute of Food Technologists, Pesticide Applicators Professional Association, the American Society for Food Quality, as well as serving as the Director of the 13th District Agriculture Association. Additionally, he serves as an alternate member of the Market Enforcement Advisory Committee for the State of California.
Patrick holds his Bachelor of Science in Food Technology from California State Polytechnic University and his Associate of Arts Degree in Agriculture from Shasta Junior College.

When asked for any final thoughts, Patrick added " I would like to express my appreciation for all of the people who have helped me throughout my career… it is somewhat ironic that now I am the one providing help, training and knowledge about the Dried Fruit and Tree Nut industry."