Kate Burr, Food Safety Director, Markon Cooperative
Kate Burr came on board as Markon’s Food Safety Director in January 2021. Since joining the company, Kate has completely revamped the Crisis and Recall Plan, making it easier to understand and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of team members. In addition to directing the supplier approval program, working closely with multi-unit accounts and regulatory agencies to ensure product requirement compliance, and performing mock recalls, she has also taken the Markon Food Safety Plan to the next level, including the transition to mandatory usage of GS1-128 scannable barcode labels on Markon branded items and Single Origin Romaine for suppliers who transition growing regions in Markon branded products.
Prior to joining Markon, Kate held multiple roles in the food safety department at Church Brothers Farms, from early 2015 through December 2020. Most recently Kate held the position of Sustainability & Customer Response Programs Manager. She was responsible for developing an inclusive Customer Assurance Tracking Program as well as implementing a detailed Food Safety Recall Plan. Additionally, Kate worked to create a comprehensive Sustainability Report focused on the company’s internal farming operations while serving on the PMA Sustainability Committee.
A graduate of Oregon State University, she received her BS in Public Health; Kate originally hails from the Pacific Northwest. In her free time, when she’s not on the golf course, she enjoys volunteering with a local women’s service organization and spending time exploring the Central Coast. She is currently the president of the Junior League of Monterey County and President of the Monterey Tri Delta Alumni Chapter.
Kate is an active participant in the following industry organizations:
International Fresh Produce Association Food Safety Council
Western Growers Food Safety Advisory Subcommittee - Secretary
