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
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
General Session: Federal Perspectives on the Regulation of Food
Independence A
Keynote Speaker
Kyle Diamantas J.D.
Acting Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods
FDA
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
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