The Foundation for Fresh Produce, an extension of the International Fresh Produce Association, announced its 2026 board of directors on Sept. 24.
The 2026 board will be chaired by Jin Ju Wilder, vice president of marketing and business development at Vesta Foodservice. Dwight Ferguson, member of the board of directors at Nourse Farms, will continue his service on the executive committee as immediate past chair. Laura Himes, vice president of global sourcing for produce at Walmart, and former chair of IFPA’s board of directors, will serve as chair-elect.
“The foundation’s role as the ‘Impactful Connector’ is about more than bringing people together, it’s about advancing real solutions that improve lives,” Wilder says. “By uniting industry, health and community leaders, we’re expanding access to fruits and vegetables, strengthening child nutrition and addressing health disparities in the U.S. and beyond. I’m honored to serve on a board so deeply committed to creating lasting change.”
The foundation exists to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health through increased fruit and vegetable consumption, it says. Its work spans a total lifespan approach, focusing on culture shift, access and affordability, healthcare integration, policy infrastructure and business ecosystems for fresh produce. This year, the foundation is building on major momentum with the upcoming launch of the Child Nutrition Education Network, a global hub for leaders to align, share resources and scale impact in early intervention nutrition.
“We know that dietary-related disease is the world’s leading health crisis,” Himes says. “The foundation is uniquely positioned as a connector, bringing together industry, health leaders and communities to break down barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption. By focusing on access, affordability and culture, we can create meaningful, lasting change that ensures healthier lives for generations to come.”
“Serving as chair has been one of the most rewarding roles of my career. Throughout the last year, I’ve seen firsthand how the foundation has moved beyond good intentions to measurable outcomes, connecting partners and scaling what truly works,” says outgoing chair Dwight Ferguson, reflecting on his tenure. “With Jin Ju’s leadership and the continued vision of this board, the foundation is poised to make fruits and vegetables the centerpiece of global health solutions.”
The 2026 Foundation for Fresh Produce new and returning board of directors includes:
Executive Committee:
- Jin Ju Wilder, Vesta Foodservice – chair
- Laura Himes, Walmart – chair-elect
- Dwight Ferguson, Nourse Farms – immediate past chair
- April Porter, Noble Citrus and Crystal Beach Capital – secretary/treasurer
At-Large Members:
- Stacy Bates, MS, RDN, LD, CDE, H-E-B
- Steve Brazeel, SunTerra, Elevated Foods, Project Food Box
- Imke van Gasselt, Ahold Delhaize
- Inci Dannenberg, Bayer
- Nikki Ford, Ph.D., Hass Avocado Board
- Eileen Hyde, Vermont Food Bank
- Leslie Wada, Ph.D., RD, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
- Cedric Pauwels, Greenyard
- Amy Yaroch, Ph.D., Center for Nutrition and Impact
The Foundation also expressed deep gratitude to their retiring board members for their inspired service:
- CarrieAnn Arias, Pear Bureau Northwest
- Alex DiNovo, DNO Produce
- Bil Goldfield, Dole Food Company
- Jason Osborn, The Wonderful Company
