United put an exclamation point on the largest-ever Washington Public Policy Conference with a packed Friday schedule at the Mayflower Hotel. FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg gave the breakfast keynote address, during which she highlighted the FDA’s new, more aggressive regulations. The regulations, details on which United will provide in the weeks to come, reflect a number of United’s food safety priorities, and will most importantly be based on sound science.

Originally scheduled to take place at the White House itself, United’s White House briefing took place at the Mayflower following Commissioner Hamburg’s breakfast address. Officials from the Obama Administration visited with attendees and United senior staff for discussions on a wide range of issues affecting the produce industry, with special emphasis on child nutrition and United’s effort to put a salad bar in every school.

White House Briefing

In special commemoration of the attacks of September 11, approximately 70 WPPC attendees braved strong rain and paid a special visit to the brand new United States Capitol Visitors Center, followed by a tour of the Capitol rotunda, original Senate and Supreme Court chambers and other features. Meanwhile, a separate group took part in a special briefing on North American trade at the Canadian Embassy. Co-hosted and Moderated by our colleagues at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, the meeting provided WPPC attendees the chance to speak directly with Canadian officials on matters ranging from trade to harmonization to food safety.

WPPC attendees visit the September 11 memorial plaque in the Capitol Rotunda on the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Friday.

Upon returning to the Mayflower, United presented Pro*Act, LLC with the 2009 Produce Industry Advocate of the Year award for their dedication, innovation and perseverance in striving for a better and more complete produce industry.

Following the presentation, political strategist, Georgetown professor and former Clinton aide Paul Begala treated the crowd to a delightful look inside the Clinton White House, stopping to provide particular insight into the current administration.

Although the entertaining Begala proved a tough act to follow, United Chairman Jim Lemke put our work in Washington over the past three days into perfect perspective, saying “United is being heard on the Hill… but public policy is not something that the industry can afford to leave in Washington until next year’s WPPC. It’s a year-round process, and as an industry, we must be diligent if we want to continue our progress.”

United Chair Jim Lemke

A huge thank you to all of our sponsors, congressional members and staff, support staff and especially to the members of the produce industry who made a point to join us this week. It is your dedication and hard work that will carry our successes here in Washington this week throughout the winter, to the Las Vegas show, and right back here for next year’s Washington Public Policy Conference.