Highlights from IFPA Washington Conference, day 1
The International Fresh Produce Association kicked off its Washington Conference, Sept. 26, with a closer look at its newly released Industry Economic Impact Study, as well as sessions on how food inflation is affecting the U.S. economy.
In conjunction with the Economic Impact Report, IFPA hosted the Produce Economic Outlook Forum on Sept. 26. The session featured authorities from inside and outside of the fresh produce industry, to provide context and points of discussion for IFPA’s Inaugural Industry Economic Impact Study.
Related: Industry economic report confirms good news for post-pandemic jobs recovery.
IFPA Chief Public Policy Officer Robert Guenther welcomed attendees and introduced the panel of speakers. Justin Cook, consumer products research leader, Deloitte Services, LLP, spoke on the topic: Fresh Food: Can Wellness Weather Inflation.
Matthew Barry, food and beverages insights manager Americas, Euromonitor International, spoke about How Food Inflation is Affecting the U.S. Economy.
Wrapping up the forum, Patrick Vizzone, IFPA Board of Directors secretary-treasurer, managing director and head of Agri-Food, Asia Pacific, Franklin Templeton, hosted a panel of industry guests including: Judy Clark, CEO, Fresh Texas; Mike Mallon, vice president of sales, American Packaging Corp.; Stefanie Katzman, executive vice president, S. Katzman Produce, Inc.; Tara Smith Vighetti of Smith Farms: Tony Mitchell, vice president of produce, Associated Wholesale Grocers.
The panelists provided insights on how the entire supply chain is managing and forecasting.
“Fifty-three percent of U.S. consumers shared the higher cost of food is causing them stress, and 75% of global consumers are concerned about rising prices overall. However, 9 out of 10 told us fresh food makes them happy,” said Deloitte’s Cook. ]
IFPA hosted the Produce Advocacy Bootcamp to help both first time and returning attendees to The Washington Conference learn more about how to engage in congressional meetings, and speak on key issues on behalf of the industry.
“Not only is this session an effective professional development experience for staff, it provides staff with a look into advocacy in Washington, while also providing a key networking opportunity with industry peers and high-profile leaders,” according to a release.
In addition to IFPA staff, industry volunteers joined the bootcamp as facilitators and experts.
Leaders included:
- Adam Tarr, legislative counsel, Invariant
- Mark Klompien, president/CEO, United Potato Growers of America
- Jackie Caplan Wiggins, vice president and chief operating officer, Frieda's, Inc.
- Tony Freytag, executive vice president, Crunch Pak
- Marissa Dake, director of communications and public affairs, DNO Produce
- John Baillie, chief operating officer, Jack T. Baillie Co., Inc.
- Craig Fields, vice president-business development-emerging channels, RPE, Inc.
- Melissa Motejunas, strategic accounts sales manager, Native Maine Operations Inc
- Bill Nardelli Jr., vice president, Nardelli Bros., Inc.
- Paul Newstead, director of business development, Domex Superfresh Growers
- Jonathan Reed, global sales director, PearlSort, LLC
- Case Samuel, chief sales officer, Sunrise Fresh Dried Fruit Co. of California
- Will Steele, president and CEO, Frontera Produce LTD
- Jon Wall, vice president of operations, North Bay Produce, Inc.
Elaine Trevino, senior supply chain advisor to the Biden-Harris Administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force was the keynote speaker. The session took place during the lunch session, where all association volunteers participating in the volunteer committee and council meetings could hear about how the Administration is addressing short-term supply chain discontinuities and the impact on the fresh produce and floral supply chains.
