IFPA policy retreat sets path for 2025 advocacy efforts

The International Fresh Produce Association recently brought together volunteer leaders at a policy retreat to help sort out advocacy priorities for 2025.

The meeting, which took place at National Harbor, Md., included members of the group’s U.S. Government Relations Council and Political Advisory Committee, according to a news release.

“This is an incredibly important time for our industry as we work to finalize the farm bill and approach the U.S. elections,” IFPA Vice President of U.S. Government Relations Rebeckah Adcock said in the release. “We have spent time at the RNC and the DNC this summer, in addition to countless hours engaging with our elected officials and regulatory partners. I can say that the most impactful information they hear is directly from our members who can share exactly how their policies impact them. This policy retreat is about educating ourselves on those issues and setting the agenda so we have focused advocacy efforts next year.”

The program included a joint session between the two volunteer groups, which featured several experts and topics for discussion, IFPA said. The discussions featured a look at the upcoming IFPA Strategic Plan, research on the headwinds and currents that may impact the industry, and even offered and opportunity to hear from Bret Erickson, U.S. Government Relations Council chair and senior vice president of business affairs at Little Bear Produce, and Tony Freytag, Political Advisory Committee chair and executive vice president at Crunch Pak LLC.  

“Government actions and legislation [have] an immense impact on the industry,” Freytag said in the release. “Building relationships and sharing our stories with lawmakers goes a long way in ensuring our voices are heard. I appreciate all who attended the retreat and took the time to look forward. The more we engage and speak about the issues that impact our work, the more policymakers can learn about the challenges of our own industry and the entire produce world and use that knowledge as they make decisions."

The volunteer groups transitioned into their own standalone meetings in the afternoon. The Political Advisory Committee focused on the FreshPAC and grassroots efforts, IFPA said. They also had an opportunity to meet the newest member of IFPA's government relations team, Mica Evans Hider, who has joined as the director of political affairs and action.

IFPA said the U.S. Government Relations Council spent much of the afternoon engaging around the industry policy priorities for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. With the farm bill still not finalized and several labor rules going into effect, the council was busy determining next steps on behalf of the industry, the release said.

“The success of the IFPA Policy Retreat underscores the critical role that our collective advocacy efforts play in shaping the future of our industry,” Erikson said. “This event provided a unique platform for industry leaders to engage in meaningful and substantive policy discussions that will steer us into the future. I want to thank all who participated, our advocacy work is essential in ensuring that local and regional suppliers in the U.S. and around the globe can be economically sustainable and continue to provide healthy fresh produce to the family dinner table."

IFPA published the 2024 produce and floral public policy agenda at the beginning of the year highlighting the priority issues of focus including labor, nutrition, supply chain efficiency and other topics.