IFPA welcomes U.S. Secretary of Health to Washington Conference
IFPA welcomes U.S. Secretary of Health to Washington Conference
The International Fresh Produce Association welcomed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to its annual Washington Conference, where Secretary Kennedy addressed produce industry leaders, growers and advocates gathered to advance policy priorities that support a healthier America.
The Washington Conference brings together IFPA members for strategic Hill visits, policy briefings, and high-level dialogue with government officials. This year’s gathering coincides with the rollout of IFPA’s Fruits & Vegetables: All Day, Every Day campaign, aligned with the 2025–30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which reaffirm fruits and vegetables as foundational to a healthy diet.
“USDA alone spends $99 billion a year subsidizing food in the food programs including the VA, military and federal prisons programs,” said Secretary Kennedy. “In the next six months we will align these programs with the dietary guidelines — we're going to drive a change in dietary culture.”
IFPA CEO Cathy Burns underscored the significance of the moment for an industry that has long championed fruits and vegetables as central to human health.
“This is a defining moment for our industry. Having Secretaries Kennedy and Rollins and other Administration and Congressional leaders speak directly to fresh produce leaders sends an unmistakable signal: fruits and vegetables are not just part of the solution — they are at the heart of it,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “Growers, distributors, processors, and all links in the supply chain have spent decades working toward a healthier world, and The Washington Conference showcases the critical role our industry plays in that mission. We are proud to stand at the center of these important conversations.”
The Washington Conference serves as a cornerstone of IFPA’s advocacy efforts, connecting members directly with policymakers and amplifying the industry’s voice on issues ranging from trade and supply chain resilience to food safety and nutrition policy. This year, IFPA members also participated in Hill visits accompanied by fresh produce deliveries as part of the Fruits & Vegetables: All Day, Every Day campaign, reinforcing the message that a healthier nation begins with what is on every plate.
IFPA represents companies across the full fresh produce supply chain — from growers and shippers to retailers, foodservice operators, and allied businesses — united by a shared commitment to increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and advancing a healthier food system for all Americans.
