Schedule of Events

Registration

Have a Plant® VIP Influencer Networking Hour

by invitation only

Party for Produce Opening Networking Reception

Breakfast

Welcome

Speakers

Katie Calligaro
Director of Marketing and Communications
Foundation for Fresh Produce

Alex DiNovo
President and Chief Operating Officer
DNO Produce

Sharese Roper
Director of Industry & Partner Engagement
Foundation for Fresh Produce

IFPA's and the Foundation For Fresh Produce's Global Perspective

Lauren M. Scott, Executive Director of The Foundation for Fresh Produce and IFPA's Chief Strategy Officer, will share the ambition for The Foundation, the criticality of growing a healthier world with fruits and vegetables and the critical role of consumer stakeholders.

Turning Insights Into Action Through Unique Consumer Research 

Take a deeper dive into consumer behaviors through a unique lens that maximizes influence and can inspire new fruit and vegetable consumption behaviors. The Foundation is curating powerful information like pairing census data with sales data to glean learnings at a local level as well as taking a regional approach to beliefs and behaviors. Learn how to leverage this data for your own consumer communications approach and for initiatives that engage followers in a meaningful way.

Speaker

Lauren M. Scott
Executive Director, The Foundation for Fresh Produce
Chief Strategy Officer, IFPA

Networking & Refreshment Break

Sponsored Break

Reaching Consumers with the Help of AI

Marketers are experts at building and reaching target audiences with relevant content to inform and engage. With the emergence of AI, various tools have been developed to bolster marketing efforts, enabling brands and influencers to connect with consumers who might not align with conventional marketing automation algorithms. This session will explore the opportunities for the adoption of AI tools in audience targeting and tackle the important question of how AI is changing roles of marketers and consumer influencers.

Speaker / Moderator

Mary Heslep
Senior Vice President
Ten Acre Marketing

Panelist

Brianna Shales
Marketing Director
Stemilt Growers LLC

Maria Stanziale
Social Media Manager
International Fresh Produce Association

The Inflation Era:
Prioritizing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption at all Income Levels

If the past few years had a bingo card, “my grocery bill” would probably be on it. Regardless of income, most consumers have noticed – and are talking – about food costs. For lower income consumers – this can be even more of a challenge. In fact, the 2023 U.S. Census data reported the largest on- year increase of poverty rates in its history. While fruits and vegetable prices have not risen at the same rate as other categories, keeping produce top of mind and shopping lists is critical. Join this thought-provoking session to hear about strategies and opportunities to ensure we are reaching all consumers with fruits and vegetables.

Speaker/Moderator

Lori Taylor
Founder & CEO
The Produce Moms

Panelist

Evan Gaetano
Manager of Site Merchandising-Grocery eCommerce
Walmart

Mollie Van Lieu
Vice President, Nutrition & Health
International Fresh Produce Association

Rapid Fire Consumer Insights

This session showcases three presentations centered on engaging consumers with culturally relevant and inclusive content, bridging agriculture with nutrition, and stimulating demand through flavor combinations. Gain practical tips and valuable insights to effectively connect with customers, convey the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables, and craft enticing flavor pairings that resonate with modern consumer preferences.

Speakers

Cara Harbstreet, MS, RD, LD
Registered Dietitian & Owner
Street Smart Nutrition

Emily Holdorf, MS, RDN
Influencer & Community Manager
International Fresh Produce Association

Nicole Rodriguez, RD
Owner
Enjoy Food. Enjoy Life. 

Powerful Produce Pairings Luncheon

Break

Appointments & Networking Break

Sponsored Break / 1 to 1 Appointments

Break

Have a Plant® Social Soiree: A PLANTASTIC BDAY BASH

It’s Have A Plant®’s birthday! The one where we turn five. During this Plantastic Bday Bash, we’ll showcase how easy it can be to Have A Plant® with hacks we love. Attendees will experience unique cuisines through powerful produce pairings while celebrating and engaging with consumer influencers. Grab your party hat and celebrate produce as the real MVP.

Breakfast

Day 2 Welcome

Speakers

Katie Calligaro
Director of Marketing and Communications
Foundation for Fresh Produce

Karen Nardozza
President & CEO
Moxxy Marketing Chair,
Marketing & Communications Council

Storytelling: A Skill for All

When you feel connected to an experience, you see it. When you see a story, you tell it effectively. Each person's life experiences tell a story that is rich with compelling details that can inspire and influence others. During this session, Jimmy Yeary, a skilled storyteller and Grammy-award winning singer/song writer, will share the lessons he has learned through his career and share proven techniques for crafting impactful narratives to create results for your business.

Keynote speaker

Jimmy Yeary
Speaker, Songwriter and Singer

Business SWOT Analysis of Nutrition Incentive Programs

Under the umbrella of Food as Medicine, the number and variety of nutrition incentive programs available to consumers has significantly expanded. Retailers have scoped the value of food sales through these programs and entire new businesses have launched to track and scope the opportunity. As the scalability to all retailers and all consumers is considered, barriers to execution are emerging. Join this panel in a SWOT analysis of these programs, including the sales opportunity for retailers, produce and other food companies, the complexities of executing nutrition incentives within retail systems, the need for a centralized approach, the question of standardized nutrition criteria, and considerations related to sustained funding of these programs.

Speakers

Annette Maggi MS, RDN, LD, FAND
President
Annette Maggi & Associates, Inc.

Panelist

Allison Delaney, MS RD LDN
Director of Healthy Living
Stop & Shop

Lorena Kaplen, RDN, LDN
Wellness Nutrition
Strategy Team
H-E-B

Allison Primo, MS, RD, LDN
Health & Wellness Strategy Manager
Schnuck Markets

Closing & Celebratory Send-off

Speakers

Alex DiNovo
President and Chief Operating Officer
DNO Produce

Sharese Roper
Director of Industry & Partner Engagement
Foundation for Fresh Produce

Transition to Appointments

Appointments & Networking Break

Sponsored Break / 1 to 1 Appointments