The International Fresh Produce Association’s BB #:378962 priorities for 2023, according to the organization’s CEO Cathy Burns, included:
Targeted outreach, programs, content, and workplans to increase IFPA’s international presence. The association has connected members at forums in Germany and Australia-New Zealand and submitted format comments on sustainable fresh produce packaging, safety, and quality concerns to the European Commission, and advocated for sustainability innovation in front of heads of state and ministers at the AIM for Climate Summit.
Laying the foundation to address sustainability challenges in packaging and foster climate-smart production practices. The IFPA is chairing the Consumer Goods Forum Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative working group on environmental standards, as well as working with its partners on the USDA climate-smart grant program. It launched the second cohort of the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator, which brings together ag-tech companies from Belgium, Chile, England, Scotland, and Israel, as well as the United States and Canada.
Implementing the year-one goals of the White House Nutrition Conference Policy and Industry Moonshots, through advocating with regulators and policymakers, as well as reaching broader audiences through forums such as the Agri-Pulse Summit, focused on food as medicine.
Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through industry talent attraction and development initiatives, education programs, and membership. The organization is developing a DEI Toolkit for members and serves as a collaborative partner in the USDA’s Regional Food Business Center program. It also launched a mentorship program at the IFPA Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference in April 2023.
Laying the groundwork for the strategic direction of the Foundation for Fresh Produce and delivering consumer-focused programs like the PBH Consumer Connection Conference to the United States, as well as exploring expansion of such programs into other markets. The foundation board and staff have met with the Eat Well Global consultancy about identifying potential collaborators in bringing its initiatives to a non-U.S. audience.
This is an excerpt from the cover story in the September/October 2023 issue of Produce Blueprints Magazine. Click here to read the whole issue.
