Monday, June 10, 2024
Produce Advocacy Bootcamp Breakfast
Produce Advocacy Bootcamp
Whether you’re new to The Washington Conference and advocacy or you’re a seasoned advocate for fresh produce and floral, this experience is designed to give you an empowering foundation on the process and issues that you’ll need to advocate with confidence. You’ll also gain – through presentations and role-playing with the IFPA’s Government Relations team and experienced advocates from our industry – useful, actionable tips, tricks, and takeaways that you’ll be able to immediately use in your meetings on Capitol Hill and with any policymaker.
Volunteer Leadership Meetings
Grower-Shipper Council
Fresh-Cut Processor Council
Wholesaler-Distributor Council
Foodservice Council
Floral Roundtable
Business Solution Provider Roundtable
Food Safety Council
Organics Committee
Political Advisory Committee
Supply Chain Council
U.S. Government Relations Council
Women’s Fresh Perspectives Networking Lunch
For the last 12 years, the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference has been an essential, cherished part of IFPA’s yearly in-person event lineup. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to experience that power – showing your support for the strength of our industry’s commitment to gender equality and inclusion. Come network with the best and brightest and set the stage for the next generation to advocate for and achieve IFPA’s goal to grow a healthier world for all.
Issue Forums
2:00 – 3:30 Building More Resilient, Regional Food Systems
From federal programs and regional networks to fresh produce growers and distributors to schools and families, everyone benefits when we improve availability and increase access to healthy food within marginalized communities. Find out more about all the entities working to strengthen America’s food systems – through their focus on developing more resilience, fairness, and accessibility across the supply chain and helping farmers to better market their produce, you’ll learn what’s happening and how through well-informed advocacy, you can support the growth of stronger food systems.
Moderator: Doug Bohr, Chief Education & Programs Officer
3:30 – 5:00 Sustainable Agriculture & Packaging Through a Supply Chain Lens
What’s new in climate-smart and regenerative agriculture? How will packaging regulations affect food safety and food waste? Find out more about what’s new, what’s next and how IFPA is working to lead, shape, and help our members understand these key topics.
Moderator: Max Teplitski, Chief Science Officer
Welcome to DC: Washington Conference Opening Reception
Join old friends and make new connections as we kick off the 2024 Washington Conference and celebrate the start of Produce Week in Washington.
Allied Association Roundtable Dinner
by Invitation Only
Leadership Alumni Event
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
State of the Fresh Nation Breakfast & General Session
7:45 – 9:15 AM State of the Fresh Nation Address, Cathy Burns
CEO, Cathy Burns’ State of the Fresh Nation sets the tone for the day of advocacy Coupled with the Opening Keynote and Policy Roundtable that follows, you’ll be inspired and energized, ready to learn and grow as advocates for the fresh produce and floral industry. Don’t miss it!
9:15 – 10:00 AM IFPA 2024 Policy Priorities Roundtable
Take advantage of the wisdom and experience of IFPA’s Government Relations thought leaders and gain an empowering understanding of the issues that are essential to the fresh produce industry. You’ll take these insights with you to Capitol Hill for your meetings with legislators from the United States House and Senate – and back to your team to strengthen your organization’s voice for fresh.
Moderator: Anne MacMillan, Legislative Counsel, Invariant
Mollie Van Lieu, VP, Nutrition and Health
John Hollay, Director U.S. Government Relations
Sara Neagu-Reed, Director, Production & Environmental Policy
Concurrent Education
Advocate for Fresh on Capitol Hill: Focus on Priorities
Head to Capitol Hill with a greater understanding of our industry’s priorities, empowered to discuss them with confidence and a clear understanding of how our three key issue areas impact fresh produce and floral:
- Nutrition & Demand Creation - The importance of increased and inclusive access to and sustainable demand for healthy fresh produce.
- Labor & Workforce - A strong workforce that meets our industry's needs across the supply chain, focused on finding and retaining the talent we need to grow.
- Farm Bill & Agriculture Policy - Understand how the largest investment in food and agriculture affects farm livelihoods, shapes how and what food is grown.
Advocate for Fresh Luncheon & Awards
Join the whole fresh supply chain comes in celebrating the fresh sector’s industry's Advocate of the Year and their influence in ensuring the Power of Fresh is felt all year long. We’ll also honor the 2024 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships recipients, Career Pathways Interns and IFPA's Produce Safety Immersion Program participants.
Following, we will be joined by champions in the U.S House of Representatives to discuss their points of view on issues important to fresh produce and floral.
Advocate for Fresh on Capitol Hill:
Congressional Meetings U.S. House of Representatives
You are the Power of Fresh! Join the largest grassroots effort in the fresh produce and floral industry as we advocate for Fresh on Capitol Hill. This is your time make your voice heard in face-to-face meetings with your elected officials and their staff, helping politicians to understand and support the most important issues to your business – including labor, increasing consumption, and the farm bill – and share how actions taken in Washington directly affect you, your community, and the entire supply chain.
The Joy of Fresh on Capitol Hill
Rayburn Courtyard, Rayburn House Office Building
Celebrate the wonderful bounty that fresh produce and floral provides for health, happiness and the economy! Connect with hundreds of DC influencers – key congressional and administration staff, allied partners, consumer advocates and fellow IFPA Washington Conference attendees @ The Joy of Fresh!
IPFA’s Return on Influence: FreshPAC Reception & Dinner
Leave your personal mark on DC. There's never been a more important time to influence politics and policy to drive fresh produce and floral industry success and growth. FreshPAC lets you be most active in the political process by supporting and helping to elect pro-produce candidates. Please reach out to Angela Tiwari atiwari@freshproduce.com if you are interested in receiving additional information about the FreshPAC.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
#PowerofFresh Breakfast & Keynote
Keynote, Dr. Donald A. Prater, Acting Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food & Drug Administration
Agency Roundtable - Focus on Food Safety with FDA
Sit down for an interactive roundtable where top FDA Human Food Program (HFP) officials and the fresh produce supply chain come together. Discuss industry and administration priorities and critical top of mind issues from the key areas within the new HFP. Showcase how industry and government can work together to enhance food safety – not just in times of crisis but 365 preventive strategies. Come prepared to ask questions.
Moderator: Natalie Dyenson, Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Officer
Advocate for Fresh on Capitol Hill: Congressional Meetings
U.S. Senate
It all comes down to this! Take what you’ve learned, what matters to you and your organization, and your commitment to advocating for our fresh industry and deliver it with passion to the U.S. Senate.