The International Fresh Produce Association is set to host The Washington Conference this June 9–11, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and advocates to champion and safeguard the future of fresh produce.
This pivotal event unites attendees from the fresh produce and floral industries to engage directly with policymakers on key issues that impact the sector, according to a news release.
Attendees will participate in face-to-face meetings with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to discuss pressing topics such as H-2A reform, the U.S. farm bill, food safety funding and more. The Washington Conference is organized to equip fresh produce and floral leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively advocate for the issues impacting their businesses and the industry at large, the release said.
The Washington Conference 2025 schedule highlights:
Industry priorities
- Opening general session: IFPA’s 2025 Policy Priorities — Your Voice. Your Impact: Hear from Adam Tarr, principal of Invariant, and Joe Bischoff, Ph.D., principal of Cornerstone Government Affairs, as they overview the pressing policy issues shaping produce and floral. Designed to prepare you to represent the industry with a unified voice, there will also be an expert panel led by Rebeckah Adcock, vice president of U.S. government relations at IFPA.
- State of the Fresh Nation breakfast and address: This session is led by IFPA CEO Cathy Burns, and will equip attendees with a clear view of the trends, challenges and policy priorities shaping our industry today.
Legislative and regulatory engagements
- Concurrent education sessions: Designed to prepare attendees for effective congressional meetings, these sessions are led by subject matter experts and industry leaders on topics such as the H-2A visa program, the U.S. farm bill and more.
- Keynote address: Presented by Kyle Diamantas, acting deputy commissioner for human foods at the FDA, this session will offer insights into the evolving regulatory landscape and the future of food safety and policy.
- Focus on Food Safety and Health roundtable: Engage in an interactive roundtable where top FDA officials and the fresh produce supply chain come together to discuss industry and administration priorities.
Advocacy and community
- The Joy of Fresh on Capitol Hill: Celebrate all that fresh produce and floral provide. Connect with hundreds of leaders, congressional and administration staff, advocates and more.
- Women’s Fresh Perspectives advocacy breakfast: Celebrate women leadership and hear from Rep. Angie Craig D-Minn., ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, who is a key player on food and farming issues on Capitol Hill.
These education sessions and networking opportunities prepare attendees to advocate for fresh on Capitol Hill, with the U.S. House of Representatives meetings on Tuesday and U.S. Senate meetings on Wednesday, the release said.
“...Whether it be tariffs, labor, water rights, it’s important that we all speak with the same voice and approach our congressional members to help us all do a better job to continue the great work that produce does,” said past attendee Tony Freytag, executive vice president of Crunch Pak.
“Our members’ voices are instrumental in shaping policies that affect every facet of the fresh produce and floral industries,” said Rebeckah Adcock, vice president of U.S. government relations at IFPA. “This conference empowers them to advocate effectively and drive meaningful change.”
For more information on IFPA’s policy priorities and advocacy efforts or to register for The Washington Conference, visit freshproduce.com/events.
