Tell Your Story: Experts Urge Members to Engage with Lawmakers at Global Show

Oct. 17, 2024

Tell Your Story: Experts Urge Members to Engage with Lawmakers at Global Show

Several sessions during the Education Festival on Oct. 17 at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Ga., focused on public policy issues important to the future of the industry. View summaries of these session below and learn more about IFPA’s advocacy efforts here.?

IFPA’s Impact: Advocacy Wins for Fresh Produce

Key industry leaders in the advocacy space highlighted the critical role of direct engagement with lawmakers during a session led by Jenny Werwa, principal at Invariant.

Speakers included Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association; Dante Galeazzi, president & CEO of the Texas International Produce Association; and Dana Brennan, vice president for external affairs and corporate responsibility at Grimmway Farms. They discussed some of IFPA’s significant policy victories this year and emphasized the need for members to stay politically active in their local communities.

The speakers underscored the value of inviting lawmakers to tour farms or facilities, stressing how these visits build strong, local relationships and provide firsthand insight into the impact of policy decisions on the fresh produce industry. Brennan pointed out that these experiences leave lawmakers with a lasting impression, increasing the likelihood that they will seek input from IFPA members on future issues. Butts added that these visits help establish IFPA members as trusted experts and go-to resources on industry matters.

Galeazzi encouraged members to reach out to IFPA or their local associations for support in organizing these visits, noting that these organizations can help ensure the event runs smoothly and effectively engages lawmakers.

Among IFPA’s key policy wins this year were the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) updates to its Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), helping to ensure fruit and vegetable access for millions of families. IFPA also filed a lawsuit with nine other organization against the Department of Labor, challenging unconstitutional changes to the H-2A temporary worker program. The association also continues to gain support from lawmakers to include research for specialty crops in the next farm bill.

To further strengthen advocacy efforts, IFPA members are encouraged to take advantage of the "Fresh Produce Advocacy: The Basics" online course.

Unwrapping the Impact of Global Packaging Regulations

Global packaging issues for fresh produce revolve around balancing sustainability, food safety, and consumer expectations, noted packaging innovators in this session during the Global Show. This conversation moderated by Dr. Max Teplitski, chief science officer at IFPA, included Jeffrey Brandenburg, founder/president at Qfresh Labs/JSB Group LLC; Judy Clark, CEO of Fresh Texas; Wyatt Maysey, director of sustainability at Taylor Farms; and Tyler Weinbender, director of sustainability and packaging at Superfresh Growers.

The industry faces increasing pressure from both customers and regulators to adopt more sustainable solutions, but there is debate on whether end-of-life management alone defines sustainable packaging, the panelists noted. While some push for eliminating plastics, experts emphasize the complexity of fresh produce packaging, noting the need for solutions that maintain food safety and quality.

They emphasized that partnerships with retailers are critical to understanding consumer preferences and gaining trust as packaging evolves. Continued education for regulators and investment in innovative packaging technologies are key priorities.

During the Global Show, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that IFPA’s Foundation for Fresh Produce (The Foundation) and partner Clemson University will each receive $5 million to establish a Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab. The Foundation will also partner with the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the University of Florida to implement the program. The funding is a part of a $25 million package out of the new Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative. The ASCE Sustainable Packaging and Innovation Lab will focus on projects and research that will help accelerate the development of new packaging and labeling options.??

Ballot Box Impacts from Around the World

This session examined how elections worldwide influence the fresh produce sector, with a focus on navigating today’s volatile political climate. Prof. Patrick Vizzone, co-founder and CFO of Vertical Oceans and executive director at DiMuto, and Rebeckah Freeman Adcock, vice president of U.S. government relations at IFPA, discussed the rise of political polarization and the challenges it poses for staying informed.

Vizzone pointed out that relying on social media for information often leads to confirmation bias, which limits access to diverse and balanced perspectives. He stressed that to shape the future of both the ballot box and the fresh produce industry, businesses must stay well-informed, sift through political noise, and prepare for a wide range of outcomes, particularly those affecting trade policies and interest rates.

The discussion emphasized the significant implications of the 2024 U.S. presidential election for trade, economic policy, and the fresh produce industry. Regardless of election results, the industry must remain united and engage with both sides of the political spectrum to influence policy decisions and ensure business sustainability in an increasingly complex global landscape, Vizzone said.

“We need to act together as one voice,” Vizzone noted. “As an association, ‘stronger together’ is an absolute must.”

By staying engaged, adaptable, and well-informed, businesses can find opportunities even in challenging political and economic environments, he said. Engaging with all political sides and remaining flexible in response to global shifts is essential for long-term success.

Labor Challenges and the Future of Fresh Produce Consumption

The fresh produce industry faces significant labor shortages, impacting every part of the supply chain. Increasing domestic consumption of fruits and vegetables, as recommended by federal dietary guidelines, is contingent on securing a stable domestic labor force, noted panelists Jon Baselice, vice president of immigration policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Rebeckah Freeman Adcock, vice president of U.S. government relations at IFPA; and Mollie Van Lieu, vice president of nutrition and health at IFPA.

They stressed that direct engagement from members is essential to ensure lawmakers fully grasp the severity of the issue facing the industry.

Congress must take meaningful action to incorporate agricultural labor reform as part of broader immigration policy, they noted. Baselice cited the U.S. Workforce Modernization Act, which passed in the House, would reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers.

Van Lieu highlighted that increasing demand for fruits and vegetables would require boosting domestic supply, which in turn depends on resolving labor shortages. The bipartisan "Buy American" movement has ensured that federal programs like school meals use U.S.-grown produce, but these initiatives are at risk if domestic labor access does not improve. Without reform, schools and other federal programs could be forced to rely more on processed foods, undermining efforts to promote fresh produce consumption.

Freeman Adcock stressed that labor costs are consuming a large portion of the supply chain’s expenses, making grassroots advocacy more critical than ever. She urged industry advocates to share their personal stories with lawmakers to drive home the urgent need for labor reform, ensuring that the fresh produce industry can meet growing demands and maintain its commitment to serving U.S.-grown food.

Earlier this month, IFPA and nine co-plaintiffs filed a lawsuit contesting the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s unconstitutional regulatory overreach and limitations on the freedom of speech of farmers who employ temporary workers. The lawsuit argues that DOL’s recently finalized H-2A rule, already enjoined in 17 states, restricts the First Amendment rights of farmers who employ H-2A workers and creates additional onerous burdens for employers and state governments.

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