Research & Advocacy
Pickle Packers International (PPI) provides robust education, research, and advocacy for the pickled vegetable industry. Through meetings, certifications, and safety programs, PPI advances food safety, funds agricultural research, secures federal funding, and addresses industry challenges through active committees and strong leadership.
Research
Strong & Balanced Programming
PPI educates its members through annual meetings and co-sponsors events with national and regional allied trade groups.
Acidified Foods GMP School
PPI promotes the certification of professionals serving as operating supervisors in acidified foods processing, as required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
PPI has developed a comprehensive food safety program for growers and green shippers of produce destined for further processing, incorporating 5-log pathogen kill steps to ensure food safety.
Project Support
PPI allocates significant funding to agricultural research projects, focusing on disease and stress management, yield improvement, processing suitability, and advancements in manufacturing.
University Research
PPI supports global research on pickled vegetables through grants to individual scientists and collaborative projects. These collaborations between researchers and institutions generate impactful results.
Research Appropriations
PPI secures over $4 million annually in federal funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Services (ARS) laboratory facilities dedicated to pickled vegetable research. These labs are located in Charleston, SC; East Lansing, MI; Madison, WI; and Raleigh, NC.
Advocacy
The organization influences public policy by addressing key issues, including legislation, regulations, and international trade. PPI represents the industry before the FDA and supports companies in complying with the Food Safety Modernization Act by engaging with the agency, submitting comments on proposed rulemaking, and developing compliance resources.
PPI Committees Tackle Industry Challenges Proactively
Agricultural Research Committee
Oversees funding and management of field research projects.
Manufacturing & Technology Committee
Assists members with regulatory compliance and adapting to manufacturing changes in the pickled vegetable industry.
Future Leaders Committee
Strengthens PPI’s communication efforts and develops a pipeline of future leaders.
Supplier Advisory Committee
Creates dynamic and engaging PPI events while fostering an ideal networking environment for Associate members.
