Regional food systems and locally-grown produce will be the subject of "Wholesaler-Distributors as the Key to Regional Food Systems," a market segment-specific seminar conducted by the United Fresh Produce Association’s Wholesaler-Distributor Market Segment Board at the association’s upcoming Washington Public Policy Conference, September 14-16. The session will focus on the role of locally-grown produce and produce from regional farms in the overall industry, as well as growing public demand for fresh fruits and vegetables from nearby sources.

"The demand for locally grown product has become a growing business opportunity for wholesalers and distributors," said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. "This segment of the produce industry is uniquely positioned to serve as buyers, aggregators and suppliers of local produce, connecting smaller farmers with larger buyers in the marketing chain. It is also important, however, to recognize and respect that each consumer, each region and each commodity may carry with it a different definition of locally grown."

Speakers at the session include USDA-AMS Agricultural Economist Dr. James Barham, Lancaster Foods Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Jerry Chadwick, Ben Vitale, executive director of the Central New York Regional Market Authority and president of the National Association of Produce Market Managers, and Mike Wise, vice president of operations for Horton Fruit Company. The panel will be moderated by Brendan Comito, Wholesaler-Distributor Board chairman and COO of Capital City Fruit Company.

The educational session is one of the multiple development 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 USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), as well as political strategist and wordsmith 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.