Produce Advocacy Bootcamp

WELCOME to Advocacy Bootcamp! Whether it’s your first time attending the Washington Conference, or you’re looking for a refresher on engaging in Congressional meetings in person, our Advocacy Bootcamp is designed for you! Learn effective strategies for sharing the produce industry’s voice with elected officials during two days of Congressional Meetings, as you gain an overview of our industry’s key issues and learn tips for making your message memorable.

KEY ELEMENTS OF BOOTCAMP:

Advocacy 101

Advocacy plays a critical role in shaping the policies that impact the fresh produce and floral industry—and your voice matters. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to get more involved, IFPA’s Advocacy 101 video offers a quick and accessible introduction to why engagement is so important and how you can make a difference. Watch this 1-minute video to learn why engaging in advocacy is important.

Advocacy In Action

Watch the 10 minute video below to learn techniques for effective communication with Members of Congress and their staff, and the basics of advocacy including:

How government works
How does your voice fit in
How to take action

How to Conduct Effective Meetings with Congress

Watch the 8 minute video below to boost your confidence before heading to Capitol Hill. Learn the basic elements of a Hill meeting and how to deliver your message in a meaningful and concise way, that will also leave an impression well beyond your 20-minute meeting!  

Strengthen Your Knowledge of the Key Issues Impacting the Industry
Review IFPA’s 2026 U.S. Public Policy Agenda, which addresses the key challenges and opportunities facing the industry, to gain a clear understanding of our collective unified messaging that will enhance our effectiveness on the Hill.

2026 Issue Briefs - your background to the important issues you are taking to the Hill!

Additional Resources for Successful Congressional Meetings
The political epicenter of the United States Washington, DC, can be mysterious, exciting and, in some cases, intimidating. Know the civics basics, what influential Congressional committees have jurisdiction over your business, and most importantly gain tips for how you can personally share vital facts Members of Congress want to know about you and your company – make it memorable and effective.

Committees of Jurisdiction
3 Facts a Member of Congress Needs to Know
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable State Profiles
U.S. Economic Impact: Fresh Produce & Floral Industries

Government Relations Terms

Take a moment to learn more about FreshPAC

FreshPAC is the political action committee of the International Fresh Produce Association, giving our industry a unified voice in Washington. Through engagement in the political process, FreshPAC helps ensure policymakers understand the importance of the fresh produce and floral supply chain and the people it supports.

For more information about FreshPAC and its activities, contact Mica Hider at mhider@freshproduce.com.

FreshPAC Authorization Form

#PowerOfFresh 

Questions? Contact Erin Wilson, Manager of Grassroots & Policy Outreach.  