IFPA North America

Happy National School Lunch Week! As we get ready to kick-off the Global Produce & Floral Show in just a few short days, we also want to recognize that across the United States, EACH DAY nearly 31 million children participate in National School Lunch Program… and many are looking to “Taste the World” through global flavors. At this week’s #GPFS2025, we will welcome more than 30 California school nutrition directors from the local, Anaheim-area, as well as LA, Long Beach, San Diego and more. This builds on the 100+ school menu planners who joined IFPA for the K-12 School Forum during this summer’s Foodservice Conference. We value the opportunity to support school nutrition leaders who nourish students with healthy, fresh fruits and veggies each day! To celebrate this audience and our collaborations, we are proud to share a video that highlights this year’s IFPA K-12 School Forum: https://lnkd.in/erxDzN8U #NSLW25

Specialty crop growers are facing unique challenges — from natural disasters and rising input costs to burdensome regulations and limited access to labor — yet their fruits, vegetables, nuts, and plants are vital to the North American food supply and economy. Today, IFPA and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance urged President Trump to ensure specialty crops are included in any emergency farm aid package, highlighting the need for targeted relief to help these essential producers stay afloat. These growers are the backbone of our food security, and they cannot be left behind. https://lnkd.in/eUncAZSx

📣 Major Progress on H-2A Reform: IFPA welcomed key reforms to the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program announced by the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The new rules for wage rate methodology and a streamlined application process reflect recommendations IFPA and our members have long championed. These updates will help reduce costs, cut red tape, and make the program more practical for growers to participate. Thank you to DOL and DHS for listening to the needs of U.S. agriculture, and to our members for their tireless advocacy and support. IFPA will continue working to ensure these reforms deliver real results for the fresh produce supply chain, while pressing Congress for long-term program improvements. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ez9ryqvn John Hollay, Rebeckah Freeman Adcock

August brought some surprising shifts in the retail produce landscape—and we’re breaking it all down in this month’s Retail US Market Watch. 🍓 Which categories are climbing? 💰 What’s driving consumer behavior? 🛒 How are retailers adapting for fall? Get the highlights, trends, and expert takeaways in our latest video. 🔗 Dive deeper into the full August report here: https://lnkd.in/etVpwern

We were proud to join IFPA member Premier ProduceOne in Cleveland for a facility tour with Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11).👏 It was a great opportunity to showcase the vital role produce distributors play in keeping the food supply chain moving and ensuring access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Thank you, Rep. Brown, for your time and engagement! Learn more about hosting a congressional visit on IFPA’s #advocacy menu: https://lnkd.in/eRBEE4Fv View IFPA's tour toolkit: https://lnkd.in/dnXYh-2R Erin Wilson

We loved welcoming agricultural attachés from across the globe to IFPA’s D.C. headquarters this week! Together we talked about the future of fresh and growing fruit, veggie & floral consumption worldwide. #agriculture #FoodisMedicine Alexis Taylor; John Hollay; Angela Tiwari; Rebeckah Freeman Adcock; Kevin Malone

Unpack the American plate and more as you shape your strategy with insights by understanding consumer trends! Dig into the evolving eating habits and grocery shopping behaviors of US consumers and gain a deeper understanding of the various factors influencing their produce purchases, including sustainability and economic well-being. Browse additional reports for international consumer trends and Unpacking the American Plate here: https://lnkd.in/erWGUrs3

The Make America Healthy Again (#MAHA) Commission recently released its recommendations, highlighting the critical role of “whole, healthy foods” in improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. IFPA welcomes this focus, because we can’t make America healthy again without fruits and vegetables. Now it’s your turn to make sure Congress hears this message loud and clear. By adding your voice, you can help advance commonsense solutions that expand access to fresh produce. ✅ Take action today: https://lnkd.in/e3pTATsu Let’s put produce first in America’s health strategy. #FoodisMedicine #Advocacy

Advocacy in Action: Today, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee to ensure the next farm bill delivers for specialty crops. A special thank you to Dana Brennan of Grimmway Farms, chair of IFPA’s U.S. Council Public Policy Committee, for powerfully representing IFPA members nationwide. Dana highlighted the challenges facing fresh produce—from labor shortages to outdated policies—and underscored our sector’s essential role in feeding America and strengthening public health. “The fresh produce sector is essential to America’s health, economy, and food security. However, we cannot survive without swift, decisive federal action.” Advocacy like Dana’s ensures our voice is heard and our priorities reflected in federal policy. We are grateful to Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Ranking Member Angie Craig for hosting this important hearing focused on the specialty crop industry. https://lnkd.in/eT_JbFmp Rebeckah Freeman Adcock; Sara Lea Neagu-Reed

IFPA was proud to participate in the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) 29th Annual Dinner Under the Stars! IFPA joined leaders across agriculture, conservation, and policy at the U.S. National Arboretum for an evening set against the Capitol Columns with remarks from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn GT Thompson. Thank you to the event co-hosts Martha Van Dale (NASDA - National Association of State Departments of Agriculture), Chandler Goule (National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), and Anne MacMillan (Invariant) for organizing a lovely evening to support a beautiful national monument. Alexis Taylor; Rebeckah Freeman Adcock; Max Teplitski; Angela Tiwari; Erin Wilson; Sarah Gonzalez; Jenny Werwa; Patrick Delaney