Schedule

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

7:15 A.M.

Congressional Meetings Help Desk Open
Independence Foyer

7:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Washington Conference Registration Desk Open
Independence Level (5B)

8:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.

Women’s Fresh Perspectives: Focus on Advocacy Breakfast
Independence A

Start your day with purpose and energy at this breakfast. All conference attendees – women and the allies who support them - gather to connect, share, and grow. Hosted by our Women's Fresh Perspectives Portfolio, dedicated to cultivating women’s potential and celebrating their leadership, this session offers inspiring conversation, meaningful connections, and a fresh look at advocacy to carry into your day on the Hill.

Moderator

Alexis Taylor
Chief Global Policy Officer
International Fresh Produce Association

9:00 A.M. - 9:45 A.M.

General Session: Federal Perspectives on the Regulation of Food
Independence A

Keynote Speaker

Kyle Diamantas J.D.
Acting Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods
FDA

9:30 A.M. - 10:15 A.M.

Congressional Meetings Help Desk Open

9:45 A.M. - 10:15 A.M.

Travel to Congressional Meetings on Capitol Hill

10:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

Advocate for Fresh on Capitol Hill: U.S. Senate Meetings

1:15 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Power of Fresh Roundtable: Focus on Food Safety and Health
Independence FGH

Sit down for an interactive roundtable bringing top FDA Human Food Program (HFP) officials together with the fresh produce supply chain. This is your opportunity to discuss both industry and administration priorities within the Human Foods Program and will showcase how industry and government can work together to enhance nutrition and food safety not just in times of crisis but with preventive strategies every day. Come prepared to ask questions.

Emcee: Mollie Van Lieu, VP, Nutrition and Health, IFPA

1:15-1:30 pm USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS): Encouraging Healthy Choices in America’s Nutrition Assistance Programs

Speaker

James C. Miller
Administrator for Food and Nutrition Service FNS
USDA.

1:30 - 2:05 pm USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS): A Specialty Crops Update

A timely update from AMS leadership on everything from the enhanced Marking Analysis & Reporting Services (MARS) to inspection to procurement. Get to know your USDA AMS Specialty Crops team!

Speaker

Ken Petersen
USDA

2:05-3:00 pm - Industry Innovations in Food Safety

Speaker

Skip Hulett
Chief Legal Officer
NatureSweet

Trevor Suslow
Professor of Cooperative Emeritus Extension
UC Davis,

Teri Simmons
Quality Assurance Manager - Produce
Compass Group North America

Kate Burr
Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance
Ocean Mist

Deadra Holloway
Director of Food Safety
DNO Produce

Drew McDonald
Executive Vice President
Food Safety & Quality
Taylor Farms

3:00 PM - 3:15 PM: Break

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: FDA Panel on Priorities, Policy & Progress

Moderator:

Paul Lewis, Ph.D.
Vice President of Food Safety Standards &
Regulatory Compliance
International Fresh Produce Association

Panelists:

Samir Assar
Director, Division of Fresh Produce Safety, Office of Produce Safety
Human Foods Program, FDA

Conrad Choiniere, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Microbiological Food Safety
Human Foods Programs

Eileen Abt Sc.D
Chemist, Division, Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements and Innovation
Human Foods Program

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM: Interactive Town Hall with FDA

TWC Schedule

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Congressional Meetings Help Desk Open
Independence Foyer

Washington Conference Registration Desk Open
Independence Level (5B)

Women’s Fresh Perspectives: Focus on Advocacy Breakfast
Independence A

General Session: Federal Perspectives on the Regulation of Food
Independence A

Keynote Speaker

Congressional Meetings Help Desk Open

Travel to Congressional Meetings on Capitol Hill

Advocate for Fresh on Capitol Hill: U.S. Senate Meetings

Power of Fresh Roundtable: Focus on Food Safety and Health
Independence FGH

Trevor Suslow
Professor of Cooperative Emeritus Extension
UC Davis,

Teri Simmons
Quality Assurance Manager - Produce
Compass Group North America

Deadra Holloway
Director of Food Safety
DNO Produce

Eileen Abt Sc.D
Chemist, Division, Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements and Innovation
Human Foods Program

Related Resources

TWC Schedule

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Congressional Meetings Help Desk OpenIndependence Foyer

Washington Conference Registration Desk OpenIndependence Level (5B)

Women’s Fresh Perspectives: Focus on Advocacy BreakfastIndependence A

General Session: Federal Perspectives on the Regulation of FoodIndependence A

Keynote Speaker

Congressional Meetings Help Desk Open

Travel to Congressional Meetings on Capitol Hill

Advocate for Fresh on Capitol Hill: U.S. Senate Meetings

Power of Fresh Roundtable: Focus on Food Safety and HealthIndependence FGH

Trevor SuslowProfessor of Cooperative Emeritus ExtensionUC Davis,

Teri SimmonsQuality Assurance Manager - ProduceCompass Group North America

Deadra HollowayDirector of Food SafetyDNO Produce

Eileen Abt Sc.DChemist, Division, Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements and InnovationHuman Foods Program

Related Resources

Congressional Meetings Help Desk Open
Independence Foyer

Washington Conference Registration Desk Open
Independence Level (5B)

Women’s Fresh Perspectives: Focus on Advocacy Breakfast
Independence A

General Session: Federal Perspectives on the Regulation of Food
Independence A

Power of Fresh Roundtable: Focus on Food Safety and Health
Independence FGH

Trevor Suslow
Professor of Cooperative Emeritus Extension
UC Davis,

Teri Simmons
Quality Assurance Manager - Produce
Compass Group North America

Deadra Holloway
Director of Food Safety
DNO Produce

Eileen Abt Sc.D
Chemist, Division, Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements and Innovation
Human Foods Program