The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has created a new volunteer leadership council aimed at focusing on the opportunities available within the growing market. The council will be led by volunteer leader Abby Prior, Chief Commercial Officer at Bright Farms, and IFPA staff liaison, Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Agfood Tech Innovation. 

The Council will focus on the needs and issues of greatest concern to the indoor growing supply chain, including indoor greenhouse and vertical farming and their business partners and customers. Its goal is to drive a sustainable business climate for indoor agriculture that provides sufficient profitability to support reinvestment and growth. 

“CEA allows breeders to shift their focus towards discovering new crops and developing the traits in new or current crops that allow for longer shelf life along with improved flavor and nutrition,” said Estes. “Any opportunity to grow consumption and remove barriers to access and preference for fresh produce is a critical segment for our industry. I look forward to working alongside our industry volunteers as we explore and learn more about this new market.” 

Netled will be represented on the volunteer leadership council by Kasey Snyder, Sales Operations Manager. 

“I am very excited to see IFPA create this council to elevate our CEA segment within the very large fresh produce and floral industry. This is an important step forward in controlled environment agriculture, and I am eager to help however I can.”

More details can be found in the IFPA press release.

IFPA (International Fresh Produce Association) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain, and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. IFPA works under the leadership of the two previous leading fresh produce and floral associations, United Fresh Produce Association and Produce Marketing Association. IFPA serves to advocate nationally and globally for the fresh supply chains through government advocacy and leadership especially in the North American Market.