From June 10-12, hundreds of professionals from the produce and floral supply chain gathered in the nation’s capital for the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Washington Conference.

This pivotal event provided a platform for attendees to advocate for crucial public policy priorities, directly engaging lawmakers and regulators to address the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.

“IFPA and its members show up in Washington DC each year to stand up for fresh. It is critical to take our message directly to Congress, to act on legislation that impacts the U.S. fresh produce supply chain, especially to address our labor crisis.”

– Rebeckah Adcock, IFPA’s Vice President of U.S. Government Relations.

The conference underscored several vital public policy priorities essential for sustaining and advancing the fresh produce industry.

One of the main focal points was the Farm Bill and Agriculture Policy.

A bipartisan effort to pass the Farm Bill this year was emphasized, with professional staffers from the House and Senate Agricultural Committees sharing insights and reaffirming their commitment to enacting timely agricultural policy updates.

Another significant topic was Labor and Workforce issues, addressing the ongoing labor crisis was paramount.

Discussions centered on the IFPA labor crisis report, with sector representatives outlining plans to present the report’s findings to their Members of Congress.

The urgency to reform agricultural labor laws and alleviate labor shortages was a key takeaway from these discussions.

Additionally, the conference explored Nutrition and Demand Creation strategies, focusing on enhancing fruit and vegetable consumption across various life stages through policy interventions, aiming to foster increased demand and promote healthier eating habits nationwide.

A highlight of the conference was the Advocate for Fresh on Capitol Hill Congressional Meetings.

IFPA Washington Conference 2024 | Credits: IFPA’s Instagram

Over two days, attendees engaged with representatives from 199 offices across 33 states.

These meetings were crucial for urging Congress to support U.S. produce production and reform agricultural labor laws.

Attendees also delivered produce boxes to Capitol Hill, half-filled with fresh fruit and accompanied by a call to action: “Congress has the power to fill this box. Reform ag labor laws now!”

The annual Joy of Fresh event transformed the courtyard at the Rayburn House Office Building into a vibrant showcase of produce and floral.

Held on June 11, the event attracted DC influencers, key congressional and administration staff, consumer advocates, and industry leaders.

This celebration underscored the contributions of fresh produce and floral to health, happiness, and the economy.

The conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers from the industry, Congress, and the Administration.

On June 11, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack headlined the State of the Fresh Nation Breakfast and the morning General Session, sharing insights alongside IFPA CEO Cathy Burns.

Secretary Vilsack reaffirmed the USDA’s commitment to supporting specialty crops and investing in climate-smart agriculture.

Educational sessions included speakers from CropLife America, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, UNFI, National Grocers Association, and FGS Global.

The founding members of the Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus also addressed attendees on June 12.

Representatives Jim Costa (CA-D), David Rouzer (NC-R), Elissa Slotkin (MI-D), and David Valadao (CA-R) shared their perspectives on legislative efforts to support the fresh produce and floral sectors.

The conference concluded with an interactive roundtable on food safety, featuring top FDA Human Food Program (HFP) officials.

Discussions focused on industry and administration priorities, with an emphasis on enhancing food safety year-round.

Dr. Donald A. Prater, Acting Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, was among the five FDA speakers who highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry and government.

The IFPA Washington Conference successfully advanced key public policy initiatives, providing a vital platform for the fresh produce and floral industry to advocate for essential legislative support.

By engaging directly with lawmakers, presenting critical reports, and celebrating the industry’s contributions, IFPA and its members demonstrated their commitment to driving positive change and addressing the challenges facing the fresh produce supply chain during this pivotal election year.