U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue plans to give a keynote address at the National Grocers Association conference in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.
“We’re excited to welcome Secretary Perdue to The NGA Show and have him share his thoughts on the public-private partnership shared between USDA and stakeholders within the food retail industry,” said NGA president and CEO Peter Larkin, in a news release. “Independent, community-focused retailers and wholesalers are the backbone of their communities, taking on the roles of job creators, innovators and economic drivers. We look forward to hearing the secretary’s thoughts on regulatory reform, the outlook of the Farm Bill and other policies that directly impact our industry.”
The annual NGA Show, geared toward independent grocers, draws more than 3,000 retailers, wholesalers, food industry executives, manufacturers and service providers, including a pavilion sponsored by the Produce Marketing Association featuring about 35 fresh produce companies.
The opening keynote session is scheduled for Sunday, February 11 at 5 p.m. Former CIA and NSA Director General Michael Hayden is scheduled to give the keynote address.
Secretary Perdue’s address has been added in addition to General Hayden’s keynote, said Laura Strange, the NGA’s vice president of industry relations, communications and marketing.