The Washington Conference Schedule

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Working Lunch

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Registration Open at Grand Hyatt
Level 1B

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Political Advisory Committee

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Allied Roundtable

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Women's Fresh Perspectives Reception

Rooftop, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Connect, learn, and cultivate relationships with other women in advocacy. Meet industry advocates and agricultural advocacy influencers that demand change and action on Capitol Hill. Share experiences and celebrate successes while forming valuable connections that can profoundly impact your advocacy journey.

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

First-Time Attendees Meet & Greet with Advocacy Ambassadors

New to The Washington Conference? Join our mentor program! Foster valuable relationships and build strong networks that are critical as you learn to advocate for the important issues of our industry. Form connections with seasoned advocates!

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Welcome Rooftop Reception

Rooftop, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Kick-off the 2023 Washington Conference with a view from the rooftop of the new IFPA Washington DC Office! Gather with industry friends and fresh faces as we celebrate the start of Produce Week in Washington.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

6:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Registration Open

6:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast Buffet

Independence Ballroom Foyer (Level 5B)

7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Produce Advocacy Bootcamp

Grand Hyatt Washington, Independence A
Designed for first-time Washington Conference attendees, grassroots members and anyone looking to refresh their advocacy skills, this bootcamp will provide the skills and confidence needed to engage with key legislators. Learn from seasoned advocates and quickly find your voice!

Learn more about the Produce Advocacy Bootcamp

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Food Safety Council Meeting, Independence FGHI

Organics Committee, Timber Creek AB

U.S. Government Relations Council Meeting, Farragut & Lafayette Square, Level 5B

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Joint Market Segment Council Meeting [ Invitation Only ], Independence BCDE

Members of the Grower-Shipper Council, Fresh-Cut Processor Council, Wholesaler-Distributor Council, Retail Council, Foodservice Council and Business Solution Provider Roundtable will engage in an interactive discussion to share thoughts and best practices from all parts of the supply chain on IFPA's 2023 policy priorities.

Attendees interested in observing this session can contact Miriam Wolk at mwolk@freshproduce.com

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

2023 Kickoff Luncheon & State of the Fresh Nation General Session, Independence A (Level 5B)

IFPA CEO Cathy Burns kicks off Produce Week by welcoming attendees to our Fresh Nation in DC with special recognition of the 2023 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships recipients, as well as IFPA's Produce Safety Immersion Program participants.

Next, senior Biden Administration officials will brief attendees on the President's priorities, what to expect on regulatory horizon, and how the Administration’s action impact you and your business.

This session rounds out with a seasoned panel of DC journalists discussing what to expect from Congress for the remainder of 2023 - Will there be a government shutdown? How is President Biden's agenda faring in a divided Congress? Hear from top journalists from the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Politico, and CNN.

Emcee

Robert Guenther
Chief Public Policy Officer Government Relations
International Fresh Produce Association

Opening Speaker

Cathy Burns
CEO
International Fresh Produce Association

Keynote Introduction

Bret Erickson, Executive VP Business Affairs, Little Bear Produce

Keynote Speaker

Jenny Lester Moffitt
Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Press Panel Moderator

Heather Caygle
Managing Editor
Punchbowl

Panelists

Garrett Downs, Agriculture Reporter, Politico

Leah Douglas
Agriculture and Energy Policy Reporter
Reuters

Ellyn Ferguson
Agriculture & Trade Reporter
CQ Roll Call

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM

Break

1:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Focus on Fresh General Session: 2023 Policy Priorities

What matters most to fresh produce and floral and why it matters to you and your business? This session digs on the current state of play on issues most critical to the Fresh ROI. Get the latest on IFPA's priorities for creating a stable workforce, prioritizing food safety, improving nutrition, and growing fresh consumption through building a better, bolder Farm Bill this year.

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM

Driving Food Safety Modernization
Mike Taylor, Board Member Emeritus, Stop Foodborne Illness, Former Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, FDA

Moderator

Natalie Dyenson
Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Officer
International Fresh Produce Association

Speakers

Mike Taylor
Board Member Emeritus, Stop Foodborne Illness,
Former Deputy Commissioner for Foods
and Veterinary Medicine, FDA

1:45 PM - 2:10 PM

Taking on our Workforce Challenges: The Latest from Congress
U.S. Representative Don Davis (D-NC-1), Co-Chair, House Agriculture Committee Agricultural Labor Working Group
Co-Chair, House Agriculture Committee Agricultural Labor

Moderator

John Hollay
Director U.S. Government Relations
International Fresh Produce Association

Speakers

Don Davis (D-NC-1)
Co-Chair, House Agriculture Committee
Agricultural Labor Working Group
U.S. Representative

Rick Crawford (R-AR-1)
Co-Chair, House Agriculture Committee
Agricultural Labor Working Group, U.S.

2:10 PM - 2:35 PM

Expand Healthy Nutrition and Grow Produce Consumption
Moderator

Mollie Van Lieu
Vice President, Nutrition & Health
International Fresh Produce Association

Speakers

Jessica Schulken, Principal, The Russell Group
Jacqlyn Schneider, Partner, Food Team Co-Lead, GFS Global

2:35 PM - 3:00 PM

Build a Better Farm Bill for Fresh...before it expires this month!

Moderator

Rebeckah Adcock
VP, U.S. Government Relations
International Fresh Produce Association

Speakers

Jonathon Cordone, Cordone Consulting, for the Specialty Farm Bill Alliance
Keith Stern, Office of the Minority Whip
Ian Foley, Office of the Majority Whip

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

How-To Huddles (Breakout Education)

Join one of these in-depth discussions on IFPA's priorities to go deeper on the issues and build your advocacy skills. Don't miss these important insights from subject matter experts and industry leaders that will help you master your message. Concurrent Huddles on:

Fresh Priorities for 2023 Farm Bill, Independence DE (Level 5B)
Moderator:
Sara Neqgu-Reed, Director, Production & Environmental Policy

Panelists:
Jonathon Cordone, Cordone Consulting, for the Specialty Farm Bill Alliance
Charles Wingard, VP of Field Operations, Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc
Danielle Beck, Legislative Counsel, Invariant
Ian LeMay, President, California Table Grape Commission
Diane Kurrle, Senior VP, U.S. Apple Association
Nutrition Programs and Consumption, Independence BC (Level 5B)
Moderator:

Mollie Van Lieu
Vice President, Nutrition & Health
International Fresh Produce Association

Facilitators:
Marissa Dake, Vice President of Brand and People, DNO Produce
Jack Baran, Chief of Staff, Old Tyme Produce

Industry Perspectives:

Danielle Bock
Director of Nutrition Services
Greeley-Evans Weld County School District 6

Alex DiNovo, President & COO DNO Produce

Shawn Peery, National Vice President Produce, Albertsons Companies

Jenny Williams, Lead Buyer, Pacific Coast Fruit Co.

Food Safety, Independence HI (Level 5B)
Natalie Dyenson, Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Officer, IFPA
Mike Taylor, Board Member Emeritus, Stop Foodborne Illness, Former Deputy
Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine, FDA
Kate Tynan, Senior Vice President, Northwest Horticultural Council
Cheryl Enlow, Vice President of Quality Assurance & Food Safety, Calavo
Workforce and Immigration Reform, Independence FG (Level 5B)

John Hollay
Director U.S. Government Relations
International Fresh Produce Association

Kristi Boswell, Counsel, Alston & Bird
Justin Bartlett, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Legacy Labor, Inc.
Tara Smith, President, Smith’s Farm Sales

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

The Joy of Fresh on Capitol Hill
Rayburn Park

Entrance Located in B357 Rayburn Cafeteria, Rayburn House Office Building

Celebrate 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!

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

FreshPAC Signature Dinner (*Separately Ticketed Event)

Potomac View Terrace
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington DC

Leave your personal mark on DC. There's never been a more important time influence politics and policy to drive produce 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 if you are interested in receiving additional information about the FreshPAC.

Angela Tiwari - atiwari@freshproduce.com

Thursday, September 14, 2023

7:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Registration Open

7:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Congressional Info Desk Open

7:00 AM - 10:00 AM

#PowerOfFresh General Session Breakfast, Independence A (Level 5B)

Packing the #PowerofFresh punch! Start the morning with Coffee with the Chairs - an outlook panel bringing the most influential political leaders on both sides of the aisle together for their perspective on the most important issues facing agriculture and food with a spotlight on this year's must-pass Farm Bill.

Emcee: Rebeckah Adcock, VP, U.S. Government Relations, IFPA

Moderator: Robert Guenther, Chief Public Policy Officer, IFPA

Coffee with the Chair

Chairwoman, Senator Debbie Stabenow
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

Chair, Representative G.T Thompson
House Agriculture Committee

Election Outlook

Regarded as one of the nation's leading authorities on U.S. elections and political trends, Charlie Cook delivers an early look at how political races are shaping up on Capitol Hill and the presidential election outlook heading into 2024.

Speaker Introduction: Tony Freytag, Executive Vice President Co Founder, Crunch Pak

Charlie Cook
Founder of The Cook Political Report and Political Analyst for the National Journal

IFPA Expert Panel:
Moderated by: Rebeckah Adcock, VP, U.S. Government Relations

Panelists:
Natalie Dyenson, Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Officer
Mollie Van Lieu, VP, Nutrition and Health
John Hollay, Director U.S. Government Relations
Sara Neagu-Reed, Director, Production & Environmental Policy

Award Presenter: Tony Freytag
Produce Advocate of the Year: HONOREE TBD

10:40 AM

The Power of Fresh Group Photo

Capitol Reflecting Pool, U.S. Capitol Building

Join fellow conference attendees as we capture the Power of Fresh in a group photo at the Reflecting Pool in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.

A map to the Capitol Reflecting Pool is available here as well as on the conference app. The photo will be taken promptly at 10:40 a.m.

11:00 - 1:00

White House Briefing

Independence A (Level 5B)

Join industry colleagues for an in-depth briefing from White House leaders and other Administration officials to learn more about how the administration is working with the fresh produce industry.

11:00 AM - 4:30 PM

March on Capitol Hill: Congressional Meetings

You are the Power of Fresh! Join the largest grassroots effort of the fresh produce industry as we March on Capitol Hill. This is your time shine in face-to-face meetings with your elected officials and their staff. It's your chance to tell politicians about issues most important to your business and share personal story of how actions taken in Washington directly affect you, your community and the entire produce industry.

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Celebrate Fresh: The Party

902 Hart Senate Office Building, North Elevator Bank in Hart

After a important day on Capitol Hill join colleagues for a fun and interactive celebration of Produce Week 2023. As part of the celebration, we will honor key Members of Congress who have made the Power of Fresh a key part of the policy platform and share success stories from our attendees during their day on Capitol Hill.

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

International Trade Forum Dinner
A Dinner Conversation on the Biden Administration’s Trade Policy

Independence A (Level 5B)

All Washington Conference attendees are invited to attend as part of your conference package! Tonight, the IFPA International Trade Forum will begin with an in-depth conversation with the Biden Administration’s who will provide a unique perspective on how they see the Administration’s trade policy impacting the fresh produce and floral industry.

Moderator

Mark Powers, President, Northwest Horticultural Council and Chair, Fruit and Vegetable ATAC

Speaker

Alexis Taylor
Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Doug McKalip
Chief Agricultural Negotiator
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Friday, September 15, 2023

Attendees can choose a deeper dive into Food Safety or International Trade during the concurrent interactive forums. Don’t miss hearing from experts and gaining a clear picture of what is happening right now on the critical issues impacting our industry’s future!

8:00AM - 11:30AM

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Food Safety Forum with Fresh Produce

Farragut & Lafayette Square (Level 5B)

Don’t miss this interactive, breakfast forum, where the fresh produce industry will present to FDA our industry led work on food safety prevention efforts. Then the tables flip, when top FDA officials participate in a roundtable discussion with attendees focused on how industry and government can work together to enhance food safety – not just in times of crisis but 365 preventive strategies. FDA Director of the Office of Food Safety Dr. Mark Moorman leads this interactive session with his colleagues, so come prepared to ask questions.

Fresh Produce Industry Showcase

Best Practices withing CEA

Monica Noble, Director of Quality & Safety, 80 Acres Farm

Managing Risks: Ag Water and Adjacent Land

Tracy Jensen, General Manager, River Point Farms
Felice Arboisiere, Director of Food Safety – Supply Chain, Dole Fresh Vegetables

Moderator:

Natalie Dyenson
Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Officer
International Fresh Produce Association

Speakers:

Mark Moorman, Ph.D.
Director of the Office of Food Safety
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Samir Assar, Director, Division of Produce Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA
Mike Mahovic, Fresh Produce Branch Chief, Division of Produce Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA
Joy Johanson, Consumer Safety Officer, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA
Autumn Kraft, Biologist, Fresh Produce Branch Division of Produce Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA
Alex DaSilva, Senior Parasitology Advisor, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA

Additional Speakers to Be Announced!

8:00am - 12:30pm

International Trade Forum

Independence A (Level 5B)

Industry executives and government leaders will gather at the International Trade Forum to discuss global markets, solutions to trade barriers, and the impact of shifting government trade policies to better serve consumers and producers. From negotiations in the Indo-Pacific, to Western Hemispheric trade, take a deep dive into the future of trade in the fresh produce and floral industry. With trade issues challenging the fresh industry around the world, don't miss this current global state of play.

8:00AM - 9:00AM

Breakfast Session – The Past and Future Direction of U.S. Trade Policy
Ever since the founding of the United States, the country’s economic strength has come from its exports, particularly agricultural exports. Through the years, U.S. trade policy has zigzagged - at times as protectionist, other times by opening doors through trade agreements. Over the past three Administrations the swings in trade policy have been significant – from market-opening negotiations of the TransPacific Partnership – to trade wars with some of our largest trading partners. But are the trade policies of the two major political parties very different from each other? Attendees will discuss an overview of U.S. trade policy over the past decade, and examine where it is heading in the future.

Moderator

Brian Kuehl, Executive Director, Farmers for Free Trade

Speaker

Marc Busch Ph.D.
Professor of International Business,
Georgetown University, Wilson Fellow

9:00AM - 9:45AM

General Session – Views from Congress on U.S. Trade Policy
Congress has the constitutional authority over U.S. trade policy, although certain actions are delegated to the Executive Branch. Hear congressional leaders discuss trade priorities for Congress and what can be achieved in the near term, from the Indo-Pacific to Taiwan to the Generalized System of Preferences.

Introduction

Robert Guenther
Chief Public Policy Officer Government Relations
International Fresh Produce Association

Moderator

Doug Palmer
Politico

Speakers

Jimmy Panetta
U.S. Representative, (CA-19)
House Committee on Ways and Means

9:45AM - 10:00AM

Break

10:00AM - 10:45AM

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Breakout One: Forecasting Fresh Market Opportunities Export Commodity Outlook, Independence BC (Level 5B)
Leaders from top US exporters of fruit and vegetable commodities will discuss current export market conditions, potential new market opportunities and barriers that need to be addressed to expand exports of US fresh produce products.

Moderator

Matt Lantz
Vice President
Bryant-Christie, Inc.

Speakers

Casey Creamer
President
California Citrus Mutual

Kam Quarles
Chief Executive Officer
National Potato Council

Mark Powers
President
Northwest Horticultural Council

Breakout Two: Embassy Report, Independence DE (Level 5B)
Hear directly from Embassy officials of countries that are important partners with the United States on the key issues and opportunities for fresh produce and floral trade.

Moderator

Sharon Bomer Lauritsen
Principal
AgTrade Strategies, LLC

Speakers

Christine McKee
Counsellor for Agriculture
Embassy of Canada

Carlos Vazquez
Minister for Agricultural Affairs
Embassy of Mexico

Takashi Sadakane
Counsellor, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
Embassy of Japan

10:45AM - 11:00AM

Break

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Barriers to Trade and Current Trade Negotiations, Independence A (Level 5B)
As the U.S. produce industry works to expand its exports, tariff and non-tariff barriers continue to thwart meaningful progress. Whether the barriers relate to pesticide residues, packaging, tariffs or other import restrictions, our panel will highlight how the U.S. government and industry are working to open up markets.

Moderator

Sharon Bomer Lauritsen
Principal
AgTrade Strategies, LLC

Speakers

Rob Ahern
Director of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Matt Lantz
Vice President
Bryant-Christie, Inc.

Andrew Stephens
Senior Policy Advisor, Processed Products, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

12:00PM - 12:30PM

Closing Convening Session – Key Take aways

Independence A (Level 5B)

We will close the forum with an in-depth discussion on lessons learned, action items, and key takeaways related to expanding market access, increasing export opportunities, and demanding action from our elected leaders and administration officials.

Moderator

Robert Guenther
Chief Public Policy Officer Government Relations
International Fresh Produce Association

Speakers

Sharon Bomer Lauritsen
Principal
AgTrade Strategies, LLC

Matt Lantz
Vice President
Bryant-Christie, Inc.

Mark Powers
President
Northwest Horticultural Council

Brian Kuehl, Executive Director, Farmers for Free Trade

The Washington Conference

Schedule of Events

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Working Lunch

Registration Open at Grand Hyatt Level 1B

Political Advisory Committee

Allied Roundtable

Women's Fresh Perspectives Reception

First-Time Attendees Meet & Greet with Advocacy Ambassadors

Welcome Rooftop Reception

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Registration Open

Breakfast Buffet

Produce Advocacy Bootcamp

Joint Market Segment Council Meeting [ Invitation Only ], Independence BCDE

2023 Kickoff Luncheon & State of the Fresh Nation General Session, Independence A (Level 5B)

Cathy BurnsCEOInternational Fresh Produce Association

Heather CaygleManaging EditorPunchbowl

Leah DouglasAgriculture and Energy Policy ReporterReuters

Ellyn FergusonAgriculture & Trade ReporterCQ Roll Call

Break

Focus on Fresh General Session: 2023 Policy Priorities

Natalie DyensonChief Food Safety & Regulatory OfficerInternational Fresh Produce Association

Mollie Van LieuVice President, Nutrition & HealthInternational Fresh Produce Association

How-To Huddles (Breakout Education)

Mollie Van LieuVice President, Nutrition & HealthInternational Fresh Produce Association

The Joy of Fresh on Capitol Hill Rayburn Park

FreshPAC Signature Dinner (*Separately Ticketed Event)

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Registration Open

Congressional Info Desk Open

#PowerOfFresh General Session Breakfast, Independence A (Level 5B)

Chairwoman, Senator Debbie StabenowSenate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

Chair, Representative G.T ThompsonHouse Agriculture Committee

Charlie CookFounder of The Cook Political Report and Political Analyst for the National Journal

The Power of Fresh Group Photo

White House Briefing

March on Capitol Hill: Congressional Meetings

Celebrate Fresh: The Party

International Trade Forum DinnerA Dinner Conversation on the Biden Administration’s Trade Policy

Friday, September 15, 2023

U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFood Safety Forum with Fresh Produce

Natalie DyensonChief Food Safety & Regulatory OfficerInternational Fresh Produce Association

Mark Moorman, Ph.D.Director of the Office of Food SafetyU.S. Food and Drug Administration

International Trade Forum

Marc Busch Ph.D.Professor of International Business, Georgetown University, Wilson Fellow

Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Matt LantzVice PresidentBryant-Christie, Inc.

Mark PowersPresidentNorthwest Horticultural Council

Carlos VazquezMinister for Agricultural AffairsEmbassy of Mexico

Takashi SadakaneCounsellor, Agriculture, Forestry, and FisheriesEmbassy of Japan

Matt LantzVice PresidentBryant-Christie, Inc.

Matt LantzVice PresidentBryant-Christie, Inc.

Mark PowersPresidentNorthwest Horticultural Council

Registration Open at Grand Hyatt
Level 1B

Cathy Burns
CEO
International Fresh Produce Association

Heather Caygle
Managing Editor
Punchbowl

Leah Douglas
Agriculture and Energy Policy Reporter
Reuters

Ellyn Ferguson
Agriculture & Trade Reporter
CQ Roll Call

Natalie Dyenson
Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Officer
International Fresh Produce Association

Mollie Van Lieu
Vice President, Nutrition & Health
International Fresh Produce Association

Mollie Van Lieu
Vice President, Nutrition & Health
International Fresh Produce Association

The Joy of Fresh on Capitol Hill
Rayburn Park

Chairwoman, Senator Debbie Stabenow
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

Chair, Representative G.T Thompson
House Agriculture Committee

Charlie Cook
Founder of The Cook Political Report and Political Analyst for the National Journal

International Trade Forum Dinner
A Dinner Conversation on the Biden Administration’s Trade Policy

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Food Safety Forum with Fresh Produce

Natalie Dyenson
Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Officer
International Fresh Produce Association

Mark Moorman, Ph.D.
Director of the Office of Food Safety
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Marc Busch Ph.D.
Professor of International Business,
Georgetown University, Wilson Fellow

Matt Lantz
Vice President
Bryant-Christie, Inc.

Mark Powers
President
Northwest Horticultural Council

Carlos Vazquez
Minister for Agricultural Affairs
Embassy of Mexico

Takashi Sadakane
Counsellor, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
Embassy of Japan

Matt Lantz
Vice President
Bryant-Christie, Inc.

Matt Lantz
Vice President
Bryant-Christie, Inc.

Mark Powers
President
Northwest Horticultural Council