IFPA Annual Impact Report Highlights Industry Milestones

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has unveiled its 2024 Annual Impact Report, showcasing achievements in advancing critical priorities for the fresh produce and floral industry.

This comprehensive report emphasizes significant progress in sustainability, nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, labor, and packaging, solidifying IFPA’s role as a global leader.

Advancing Industry Health and Sustainability

CEO Cathy Burns commended the IFPA community for driving meaningful change. “As we approached 2024, we focused on advancing the health of consumers, our industries, and the planet,” Burns explained.

Key accomplishments include ensuring full funding for the U.S. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, halting a ban on PLU stickers, and securing grants for innovative packaging solutions.

Additionally, IFPA took legal action to protect agricultural labor programs from restrictive regulations, demonstrating its commitment to industry priorities.

Sustainability in Packaging

Environment and Packaging: The association’s efforts to balance environmental regulations with food safety led to the creation of the Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Food Coalition. This coalition focuses on sustainable solutions without compromising product quality.

Impact: IFPA successfully stopped a proposed ban on PLU stickers. This action preserved compliance with environmental standards while maintaining the integrity of fresh produce.

Nutrition and Labor Advocacy in the IFPA Annual Impact Report

Securing WIC Funding: In response to threats of defunding the WIC program, IFPA launched its largest-ever advertising campaign. This initiative underscored the program’s importance in supporting child nutrition nationwide.

Impact: Lawmakers approved a $1 billion funding increase for fiscal year 2024. This ensured the continuation of vital nutrition programs for vulnerable families.

Related Article: Produce Marketing Projections for 2025

Labor Advocacy: IFPA took decisive action by filing a lawsuit to challenge changes to the H-2A visa program. This legal challenge aimed to preserve growers’ access to agricultural labor.

Impact: A U.S. District Court halted enforcement of restrictive labor regulations, protecting growers’ ability to maintain their operations effectively.

Climate-Smart Agriculture

Global Leadership: IFPA’s presence at the COP29 Conference in Azerbaijan demonstrated its leadership in climate-smart agriculture. The association showcased efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, and enhance agricultural resilience.

Impact: Through its Climate-Smart Pilot Program, 82 growers implemented six sustainable practices across 6,000 acres. These practices are designed to sequester carbon and boost the market value of climate-friendly produce.

A Seat at the UNFCCC Table: By securing observer status with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, IFPA gained a platform to influence high-level climate negotiations.

Improving Technology for Fresh Produce in the IFPA Annual Impact Report

Supply Chain Transformation: The first annual Collabathon brought together supply chain leaders to explore data-driven technologies beyond traditional track-and-trace systems. This collaboration fostered innovation within the industry.

Impact: A roadmap for 2025 emerged, supported by a white paper outlining transformative strategies. This initiative underscores the potential for data to revolutionize the supply chain.

2025-2027 Strategic Plan: Announced at the Global Show, the plan provides a framework for future growth. It addresses global challenges, personalizes member experiences, and drives innovation across the industry.

Fostering Inclusion and Diversity

You Belong Here: IFPA prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) across all events and programs. This included webinars engaging industry professionals from seven countries, fostering an inclusive environment.

Impact: The focus on inclusion has created a sense of belonging for current and future generations of professionals, enhancing the industry’s appeal and accessibility.

How the IFPA Annual Impact Report Envisions the Future

Burns highlighted the collective energy and passion of IFPA members, which have driven these accomplishments. “Belonging to IFPA creates something far bigger than any individual or organization.”. Burns added that IFPA is building an enduring force for good, essential for navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The 2024 Annual Impact Report reflects IFPA’s commitment to tackling the industry’s most pressing challenges while fostering a sustainable and vibrant future for fresh produce and floral sectors globally.