George Nikolich is a food safety and postharvest consultant working with the fresh fruit industry in California’s Central Valley. George has developed a unique skillset that combines practical knowledge gained over twenty years in stone fruit and table grape field production with eighteen years of fresh fruit postharvest handling and food safety technical experience.

As a member of the Center for Produce Safety Technical Committee since 2009, George informs committee members on fresh fruit production and postharvest handling practices and connects with the food safety research community on a continuing basis to offer guidance and facilitate research through collaborations with business owners, production and facility managers, and research teams.

On behalf of the California Fresh Fruit Association, George provides technical information and guidance to members through both public and private communications and helps to prepare those who are interested in starting a career in food safety and production agriculture as an Adjunct Instructor at a local community college (Reedley College, CA).

George is a graduate of CSU Fresno (BS, Ag Science, 1982) and UC Davis (MS, Agronomy, 1984). His aim is to bridge the gap between food safety science and technology and production agriculture, and he is committed to helping local family farms succeed by navigating the challenges presented by an ever-demanding food safety landscape.