A Gathering of Leading Dietitians, Chefs, and Advocates Supporting Healthier Consumer Choices

The Foundation for Fresh Produce is set to host The Consumer Connection Conference in Newark, Delaware, uniting top produce marketers, advocates, and Food & Nutrition Influencers in a strategic gathering dedicated to boosting fruit and vegetable consumption.

This event aims to address the growing need to guide consumers toward healthier lifestyles and help drive demand for fresh produce globally.

By bringing together professionals with expertise in retail dietetics, foodservice, digital media, and nutrition science, the conference seeks to foster the exchange of ideas on how to shape purchasing decisions that favor healthier food choices.

Attendees of The Consumer Connection Conference will have access to educational sessions from Google, Giant Food, Kroger, and other respected voices within the industry.

These sessions focus on strategies that can increase the visibility and appeal of fruits and vegetables across various platforms, whether they are online, in grocery aisles, or in restaurants.

The event also offers a series of signature meal experiences and networking opportunities designed to encourage new partnerships between produce marketers and Food & Nutrition Influencers.

“ With such a diverse mix of industry leaders, this conference provides a unique opportunity to build valuable connections that can make a great impact. Retail dietitians, foodservice professionals, and credentialed lifestyle digital influencers all play a crucial role in helping consumers make informed, nutritious choices. The Consumer Connection Conference is a platform for these experts to elevate how we talk about produce across all channels.”

Lauren M. Scott, President at The Foundation for Fresh Produce

The lineup of Food and Nutrition Influencers at the conference showcases a broad range of expertise, from media-savvy dietitians to influential chefs.

Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Media Dietitians such as Brooke Baird (Simply Divine Nutrition), Gisela Bouvier (Gisela Bouvier Nutrition), Heather Campbell (Heart of Alabama Food Bank), Tony Castillo (Nutrition for Performance), Annessa Chumbley (annessaRD.com), Maya Feller (Maya Feller & Associates), Alexandra Turnbull (The Family Nutritionist), and Sarah Williams (Nutritional Sarah) will be on hand to offer their insights on guiding consumers toward informed food choices.

Culinary and Foodservice Nutrition Leaders include Micheline Cormier (Sodexo), Shannon Ebron (Richmond City Public Schools), Gena Gerth (Bloomin Brands), Chavanne Hanson (Google Food), Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan (Rachel Ray/Watch Entertainment; Rachael Ray’s Yum-o! Organization | On Kappys Plate), Sarah Kiel (Yale Hospitality), David Ruiz (Overland Park Convention Center | Oak View Group), and Ken Toong (UMass Amherst).

Their roles in shaping menus and food offerings have a direct influence on what consumers ultimately choose to eat, making their presence at this conference invaluable for discussions on best practices and new approaches to promoting produce.

Retail Dietitians, another pivotal group in the effort to encourage healthier eating, also plan to attend. Stacy Bates (H-E-B), Laura Brown (Kroger), Jillian Griffith (Amazon), Thu Huynh (Giant Food), Kilene Knitter (Giant Company), Morgan Kratzer (Inserra ShopRites), Elaine Magee (Albertsons), Emily McGee (Stop and Shop), Amy Petersen (Coborn’s), Allison Primo (Schnucks), Marisa Scarlet (Harmon’s), Meghan Sedivy (Fresh Thyme), and Yvette Waters (Raley’s) are among those who will be participating.

Their involvement underscores how crucial it is to educate shoppers right where most of their food purchases happen: the grocery store.

From leveraging social media and digital communication to rethinking the way meals are planned and served, every facet of the conference aims to inspire participants with new ideas for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.

By understanding current consumer behavior and identifying what can be done to encourage healthier purchases, the event’s organizers hope to cultivate an ecosystem in which produce occupies a more prominent position in everyday diets.

Beyond the immediate goal of networking, The Consumer Connection Conference reinforces the broader vision shared by produce marketers and nutrition experts: a world where nutritious fruits and vegetables are affordable, accessible, and enticing to all.

As industry professionals come together to exchange knowledge, the resulting partnerships are expected to drive innovative campaigns, expand educational outreach, and refine messaging that resonates with the public.

By deepening these connections, the conference ultimately aims to transform the way people think about and consume produce, leading to healthier communities.