Three of the hottest issues in the produce industry will be under the microscope this fall as United Fresh moves to understand and address the complex challenges of food safety, local and regional food systems and pesticide residues.

Continuing the customization of its educational programming, United Fresh will offer four Market Segment Breakout Sessions during its annual Washington Public Policy Conference in September. Each session will take place on September 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., and be moderated by a volunteer leader from United’s four Market Segment Boards: Grower-Shipper, Fresh-Cut Processor, Retail-Foodservice and Wholesaler-Distributor.

"This allows us to take the very tangible concerns that our members have about these issues and address them in a constructive, smaller-group setting," said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. "Starting with food safety, each of these issues is of extreme importance to our industry, yet each carries with it a somewhat nebulous definition. These breakout sessions give us the chance to educate the industry while at the same time clearing up any misconception."

The Market Segment Breakout Session titles and descriptions are as follows:

Grower-Shipper Board
Getting Back to Real Science on Pesticide Residues
Consumers and industry buyers are increasingly taking notice of news reports about pesticide residues on fresh produce. Unfortunately, misinformation about pesticides can confuse consumers who are trying to increase produce consumption for better health. When growers follow strict government standards with resulting residues below levels the EPA determines to be safe, why do fears persist? How will these concerns affect retail and foodservice buying? How can the industry and regulators work together to bring science back to the discussion? Hear from experts who will explore the science, regulatory and marketing aspects of this growing challenge.

Fresh-Cut Processor Board
The Image of Fresh-Cut and Legislative/Regulatory Ramifications
Fresh-cut produce provides consumers an array of fresh and healthy convenient options to increase produce consumption. Although food safety has always been the #1 priority of fresh-cut processors, some advocates are nevertheless arguing that commingled, cut produce may present greater risks than whole commodities. This debate sometimes pits industry members on opposite sides due to marketing interests. Perhaps the biggest risk of all is government intervention based on misinformation with little understanding of fresh-cut processing safety. Learn what legislators and regulators think about this issue and how the fresh-cut sector can address this challenge.

Wholesaler-Distributor Board
Wholesaler-Distributors as the Key to Regional Food Systems
The demand for locally grown produce no longer seems like a fad, but a growing business opportunity for companies that seize the initiative. Wholesalers and distributors are uniquely positioned to serve as buyers, aggregators and suppliers of local produce, connecting smaller farmers with larger buyers in the marketing chain.  Wholesalers and distributors can help maintain the cold chain, assist with food safety and traceability, and provide logistics support not available within small companies, providing growers a means to expand business far beyond farm markets. In this session, learn how government programs may provide incentives and assistance to terminal markets and off-market wholesaler-distributors in developing regional food systems.

Retail-Foodservice Board
The Role of Buyers in Assuring Small Farm Food Safety
Retail and foodservice companies know that the produce they buy and sell to consumers must be safe, no matter what the source. But what role do buyers have in assuring that small, local or seasonal farms meet the same essential food safety standards as large commercial growers? Join this session for an engaging discussion of how government and industry are looking to buyers to help ensure the safest products available year round.

The Breakout Sessions come on the second day of the Washington Public Policy Conference, September 14-16 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center on the banks of the Potomac River. During the three-day conference, attendees will gather to discuss food safety, farm labor, nutrition and consumption, locally grown and other priority issues for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry. During the annual March on Capitol Hill, industry members will have the unique opportunity to meet in person with lawmakers and staff in congressional offices, discuss food safety policies with FDA officials, hear from key Cabinet officials and engage in face-to-face dialogue with President Obama's executive team.

This year's conference will also include the popular Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill, one of Washington's most popular and flavorful events. During Fresh Festival, House and Senate lawmakers and their staff sample a wide variety of fruits and vegetables the produce industry has to offer. In addition to Fresh Festival, the conference will include a New Orleans-themed cruise up the Potomac River to benefit United's A Salad Bar in Every School campaign. As part of the build-up to the United Fresh 2011 convention and expo in New Orleans, guests will enjoy Dixieland jazz, dinner and waterfront views of Washington, D.C., all while raising funds to provide salad bars to schools in New Orleans and nationwide.

Registration is now open for the 2010 Washington Public Policy Conference. More information may be found by contacting United Fresh Political Affairs Manager Angela Bezon at 202-303-3400, ext. 425 or, or by clicking here.