For Immeidate Release: June 16, 2008

Media Contact: Amy Philpott, 202-303-3400 ext. 425

Washington, D.C. - Representative Collin Peterson and Representative Rosa DeLauro, the leading Farm Bill and food safety and nutrition advocates in Congress respectively, will address the produce industry at the annual United Fresh Washington Public Policy Conference (WPPC), September 10-12, 2008.

Representative Collin Peterson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, will be the keynote speaker at the Thursday Opening Breakfast Session.  Known as the architect of the 2008 Farm Bill, Chairman Peterson led the effort to move one of the most difficult and controversial agriculture legislative initiatives through Congress over the last 80 years. Chairman Peterson will share his own experiences during the Farm Bill effort, discuss lessons learned, and provide a glimpse of top agenda items for the House Agriculture Committee in the next congressional year.

WPPC attendees will also hear from one of the leading food safety and nutrition advocates in Congress, Representative Rosa DeLauro.  Representative DeLauro, Chairwoman of the Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee, has been a on the forefront of nutrition and food safety for over a decade.  Passionately fighting to expand the Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program nationally, to grant access to fruits and vegetable to school children in schools, she has also been one of the strongest proponents for a strong FDA food safety regime. In Friday morning’s breakfast general session, Chairwoman DeLauro, will offer her views on what Congress can do to help address food safety challenges.

"United Fresh is very excited about having two influential congressional leaders such as Representatives Peterson and DeLauro speaking at WPPC this year," said Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy. "Food Safety, nutrition programs and implementing the Farm Bill impact everyone in the produce supply chain and having face time with these leaders will give attendees a chance to hear first hand what is happening in Congress on these issues."

WPPC 2008 provides attendees unique access to Washington, D.C. decision makers, and gives industry members the power to engage their elected officials in issues important to the produce industry supply chain. This year’s WPPC will be held at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. 

Registration to WPPC is now open and attendees can register online.  For more information about WPPC please visit the United Fresh website, or contact United Fresh Grassroots and Policy Manager, Angela Bezon at abezon@unitedfresh.org or at 202-303-3400 ext. 416.

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