[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 162 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TO RECOGNIZE LORRI KOSTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the top 
leaders of the modern fresh produce industry and a Salinas Valley 
visionary. Lorri Koster is Chair, CEO and a primary shareholder of Mann 
Packing Company headquartered in Salinas, CA. Mann is a major grower, 
shipper, and processor of fresh vegetables on the cutting edge of 
technical innovation and market development. So while you may have 
never heard of Lorri Koster, I can guarantee that every member of this 
House has eaten something grown or shipped by Mann Packing.
   Lorri was raised in the agricultural industry and is the third 
generation of her family to work in produce. Her late father Don Nucci 
had been a key partner in the company. She started her full time career 
at Mann in 1990 directing the firm's marketing and communication 
programs. In 2000 Lorri left Mann to join ProduceOnline.com as vice 
president of marketing. Lorri then became an associate publisher with 
Produce Business magazine. After several years of writing, raising two 
young boys and working for Mann on a consulting basis, she returned to 
the company full time in 2006 to represent her family's interest and 
lead the business development, marketing and product innovation 
efforts.
   Lorri's leadership extends beyond Mann to the greater fresh produce 
industry and her local community. In 2000, Lorri was the International 
Fresh Cut Produce Association board president and the first woman to 
chair an American produce trade association. She is a past chair of the 
Grower Shipper Association of Central California. She has participated 
on the boards of various leadership committees for several industry 
organizations, including the United Fresh Produce Association, the 
Produce Marketing Association, Western Growers, the Grower Shipper 
Association of Central California, and the Produce for Better Health 
Foundation. She shares my passion and has been a relentless advocate 
for creating more access to fruits and vegetables in schools and 
federally funded feeding programs. Lorri currently serves on the 
Western Growers Association board of directors and a board alternate 
for the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. At a local level 
Lorri serves on the boards of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, 
the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, and on the business advisory 
councils for Rancho Cielo and CSUMB's Business School.
   Lorri has a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations with a minor 
in business marketing from California State University, Chico. A 
``baseball mom'' and ``Forty Niner Faithful'', she resides in Salinas 
with her husband Tom where she loves cheering on their two boys, Jack 
and Sam.
   Mr. Speaker, I know I speak on behalf of the entire House in 
thanking Lorri Koster for her outstanding leadership in the produce 
industry and the Salinas Valley. Our nation is a better place because 
of her efforts. We wish her and her family many more years of success.

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