"United Fresh has been lucky to work alongside congressional champions like Chairwoman Schmidt to provide healthier options for kids every day at school," said Robert Guenther, United’s senior vice president of public policy. "To have her address this year’s WPPC is a continuation of that teamwork, and provides our industry with some great insight into the support on Capitol Hill for programs of particular interest to fruit and vegetable producers."

As the first woman to represent Southern Ohio in Congress, Chairwoman Schmidt is in her fourth term in the House. In addition to chairing the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture, Schmidt serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Schmidt will join House Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), also speaking during Wednesday’s Breakfast General Session.

"With Chairman Lucas and Chairwoman Schmidt on tap, Wednesday’s program will give our members an excellent overview of the legislative and political terrain in the House that our members can’t afford to miss," added Guenther.

Wednesday’s addresses from Chairwoman Schmidt and Chairman Lucas add to a busy and exciting schedule at this year’s Washington Public Policy Conference, including Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), face-to-face meetings with officials at USDA, FDA and EPA, including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, POLITICO co-founder Jim VandeHei, market segment-specific education sessions and the popular Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill. Additionally, this year’s schedule includes the most visits to congressional offices by conference attendees in the event’s history. More information on the Washington Public Policy Conference is available at www.unitedfresh.org/programs/wppc.