IFPA vice president receives Trailblazer Award

Mollie Van Lieu, vice president of nutrition and health for the International Fresh Produce Association, has been named the 2024 recipient of The Produce Moms' Trailblazer Award, which honors individuals “doing work that matters the most,” as described by Lori Taylor, CEO for The Produce Moms.

Van Lieu’s dedication to increasing access to fresh produce and improving dietary quality through federal policy has made a lasting impact on communities nationwide, according to a news release. The Produce Moms said her leadership has been particularly transformative in the Women, Infants and Children program, where she spearheaded efforts to first triple the fruit and vegetable benefit and then secure permanent funding for the initiative.

She was a guest on "The Produce Moms Podcast" in February with colleague Amy Marshall and FGS Global’s Jacqlyn Schneider to discuss her work increasing funding for WIC. The episode noted that over half of the babies born in America qualify for WIC, making it one of the nation’s most important federal nutrition programs, the release said.

“Mollie’s work is a testament to the power of policy in driving change,” said Taylor. “Her contributions to the fresh produce industry and her tireless advocacy for increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables exemplify what it means to be a trailblazer.”

Van Lieu’s work at IFPA focuses on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and advocating for federal policies that improve nutrition, including school meals, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, USDA purchasing programs and produce prescriptions. Her career spans roles in nutrition and education policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts, the National PTA and on Capitol Hill, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to advancing public health, the release said.

“She has been a peer mentor of mine as it relates to activism and public policy work,” Taylor said. “Mollie spearheaded our industry's efforts with WIC, first tripling the fruit and vegetable benefit for WIC and then doing the activism and public affairs work to secure funding to make it a permanent part of WIC. A fully funded WIC program empowers families to get more fruits and vegetables on every table.”

An alumna of Adams County 4-H Dairy and Community Clubs, Van Lieu’s journey from her roots in south-central Pennsylvania to influencing national nutrition policy underscores the impact of her leadership, the release said.

The Produce Moms Trailblazer Award celebrates individuals like Van Lieu who shape the future of fresh produce through vision, advocacy and action.