A long-time champion of the produce and agriculture industries, U.S. Representative Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) will join fellow member and chair of the House Agriculture Committee Collin Peterson (D-MN) to speak to attendees at the United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Public Policy Conference Wednesday morning. Cardoza will address the role of the produce and specialty crop industry in the reauthorization of the Farm Bill next year, and his speech will come as more than 500 members of the produce industry converge on Washington for the annual conference.

"Dennis Cardoza understands the produce industry," said United Fresh Senior Vice President of Public Policy Robert Guenther, "… and while we need congressional allies nationwide, the ability to count on Congressman Cardoza to make informed, balanced decisions with the interests of the specialty crop industry in mind is a great asset. The attendees at this year’s conference will benefit greatly from his insight into next year’s Farm Bill and other top priorities."

Cardoza represents California’s 18^th congressional district which lies in the northern San Joaquin Valley, a noted specialty crop region producing table grapes, asparagus, citrus and tree nuts. A former co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition of Democrats, Cardoza currently serves as chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.

Rep. Cardoza’s address is one of the multiple educational opportunities at the conference, September 14-16, at the Gaylord National Hotel on the banks of the Potomac River. During the three-day event, 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. Attendees will hear from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), as well as political strategist and author Frank Luntz. During the annual March on Capitol Hill, industry members will have the unique opportunity to meet in person with lawmakers and staff, 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. Additionally, top national journalists will discuss important policy issues and the value of relationships with the consumer media during the Fresh Press media roundtable.

This year’s conference will also include the return of the Management Resource Center, where attendees can research and explore new solutions and technology providers, and the popular Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill, a favorite among industry members and congressional staffers alike. During Fresh Festival, House and Senate lawmakers and their staff join attendees to sample the various fruits and vegetables the produce industry has to offer. In addition to Fresh Festival, the conference will also 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 and more information may be found by contacting United Fresh Political Affairs Manager Angela Bezon at 202-303-3400, ext. 416 or abezon@unitedfresh.org, or by visiting http://www.unitedfresh.org.