Q&A: IFPA's Robert Guenther shares highlights of The Washington Conference

It's a wrap for IFPA's Washington Conference.

How minority leader speaks at conference. — House minority leader addresses conference
attendees. Photo courtesy of IFPA.

The International Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference wrapped, Sept. 28, on a high note. In addition to issue and policy sessions and trade briefings, the International Fresh Produce Association’s Chief Science Officer Dr. Max Teplitski shared an update about IFPA’s USDA grant and the Climate Smart Pilot projects in the last day of the IFPA Washington Conference.

The Packer recently met with IFPA’s Chief Public Policy Officer Robert Guenther, to learn more about what the fresh produce industry can achieve at the Washington Conference, what he’s excited about and how the fresh produce is a critical to the success of the Biden-Harris strategy on hunger, nutrition and health.

Tell me about your history with the IFPA.

Gunther: IFPA launched on January 2022, but I worked for United Fresh for more than 22 years in the U.S. government relations space and have worked D.C. for 32 years.

Which part of The Washington Conference are you most excited about?

All of it. I love this conference and the spirit and dedication that the industry volunteers bring to The Hill visits. If you were not here, you missed being part of history this week but we will hold your space for Sept. 26-28 2023. We need a full court press next year to have IFPA members visiting all 535 offices next year. I know we can get there.

What is the most important message the produce industry needs to convey to our congressional leaders this week?

Our industry matters for the social and economic health of the nation, so we urge them to support Immigration Reform, support FDA appointment of a Deputy Commissioner for Foods, improve dietary quality for all Americans, and support specialty crops in the next farm bill.

What do you think the fresh produce industry can offer to the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, just released by the Biden-Harris Administration?

We are more than aligned. Our staff and committed members brought voice to our industry and championed the role for fresh produce with key leaders in government and allied organizations. This conference is the first time in over 50 years that this topic has been addressed so holistically. Six of our Eight Industry Moonshots were incorporated into the blueprint.

We are very pleased that fruits and vegetables are undeniably integral to combatting hunger in the right way, while ensuring health and nutrition initiatives are in place for all Americans.

I have been around a long time and am not naïve to think the change will be instant, which is why IFPA members need to be unrelenting in advocating for what the industry and American people need. It’s a great start to making the systemic change so needed in this country, which will have a powerful positive impact on the produce industry and all of society.

In your opinion in what ways can the fresh produce industry decrease diet-related disease in the U.S.?

Doing what we do best. Grow healthy great-tasting product, continuing innovation to meet consumers needs and champion our industry to pave the way for our industry to continue to thrive.

Existing and supporting ways for people to eat half of the plate or 400 grams of produce. The CDC study showed only 1 in 10 Americans consume enough fruits and vegetables each day. This is despite what we learned in our recently published dietary guidelines research, [which is] that 83% of adults and 63% of teens believe eating fruits and vegetables extremely or very important.

This is why the work we are doing this week for policy and public opinion with the Joy of Fresh on Capitol Hill [is important]. It’s a three-ring circus this week and we want to make sure the industry’s presence it felt in town.

Which parts of the IFPA’s recent economic report are cause for celebration?

I am very pleased with our first-ever economic impact report which outlines in black and white what we in the industry have always know. We are big. We matter and we are thriving. We encourage everyone in the industry to be proud and share with their representatives, local community and family. By demonstrating our economic impact on America, we can continue to influence policies and perceptions of fruits and vegetables.

What challenges do you see ahead for the produce industry in 2022?

The key challenges discussed at The Washington Conference link to the big three – inflation, labor and supply chain. We were fortunate that Sen. John Boozman (R-AK) opened the conference, and he reminded us that these are universal issues no matter what business you are in. This coupled with the usual issues of weather and managing a fresh crop are not new and while challenges will always be there so will the resiliency of the industry.

What challenges do you see ahead for the next year?

Same as above with unknown impact of consumer confidence. Euromonitor shared that consumer confidence is more psychological than actual. The good news is the value and importance of fresh for health and food as medicine remains strong and fruits and vegetables anchor that initiative.