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Secretary Schafer Also Scheduled to Tour Produce Expos

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer will deliver the keynote address at the United Fresh Annual Meeting & Breakfast General Session Tuesday, May 6 during the United Fresh Las Vegas 2008 show. Following breakfast and his keynote address, the Secretary is also scheduled to visit the United FreshTech and United Fresh Marketplace shows later Tuesday morning.

“We are delighted that Secretary Schafer will be able to meet our produce industry’s leaders at the convention,” said Tom Stenzel, President of United Fresh Produce Association. “Since coming to Washington, DC in January, Secretary Schafer has led the Administration’s efforts to complete work on the most important Farm Bill ever for fruits and vegetables. With two weeks to go before the convention, we still believe it is possible for the Congress and Administration to agree on a final Farm Bill, and we are hopeful to join the Secretary in a celebration of this accomplishment,” he said.

Whether completed or not, the Farm Bill and its impact on the fruit and vegetable industry is sure to be at the center of Secretary Schafer’s keynote address. He is also expected to provide insights on a variety of issues impacting the produce industry, including immigration reform, implementation of the new Women, Infants and Children (WIC) fruit and vegetable vouchers, and USDA’s outreach and assistance to the industry in areas such as food safety and training.

The Annual Meeting & Breakfast General Session will be held Tuesday, May 6, 7:30am - 9:00am at the Bally’s Hotel Las Vegas in the Platinum & Gold Ballrooms. Attendance is included in the All Access Pass. Register online now at http://www.unitedfreshshows.com/.