FFP to bring food influencers, dietitians to Consumer Connection Conference

April 9, 2025 Newark, Del. – The Foundation for Fresh Produce BB #:157162 presents The Consumer Connection Conference, an exclusive opportunity for produce marketers and advocates to meet with leading Food and Nutrition Influencers.

Featuring retail dietitians, foodservice tastemakers, and expert voices across nutrition, lifestyle, and agriculture, the conference gathers these key influencers to share their insights on how to impact consumer purchasing decisions for a healthier world. This premier event fosters strategic collaboration, where attendees will gain insider knowledge on how to drive fruit and vegetable consumption.

“With such a diverse mix of industry leaders, this conference provides a unique opportunity to build valuable connections that can make a great impact,” said Lauren M. Scott, President at The Foundation for Fresh Produce. “Retail dietitians, foodservice professionals, and credentialed lifestyle digital influencers all play a crucial role in helping consumers make informed, nutritious choices. The Consumer Connection Conference is a platform for these experts to elevate how we talk about produce across all channels.”

Attending Food and Nutrition Influencers include:

Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Media Dietitians
•    Brooke Baird, RDN, LD, Simply Divine Nutrition
•    Gisela Bouvier, MBA, RDN, LDN, Gisela Bouvier Nutrition
•    Heather Campbell, MS, RDN, Heart of Alabama Food Bank
•    Tony Castillo, MS, RD, LDN, Nutrition for Performance
•    Annessa Chumbley, RD, annessaRD.com
•    Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, Maya Feller & Associates
•    Alexandra Turnbull, RDN, LD, The Family Nutritionist
•    Sarah Williams, MS, RDN, Nutritional Sarah

Culinary & Foodservice Nutrition Leaders & Institutional Chefs
•    Micheline Cormier, MSAN, RDN, LDN, Sodexo
•    Shannon Ebron, MS, RDN, LD, Richmond City Public Schools
•    Gena Gerth, MBA, RD, LD, Bloomin Brands
•    Chavanne Hanson, Google Food
•    Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan, Chef, Rachel Ray/Watch Entertainment; Rachael Ray’s Yum-o! Organization | On Kappys Plate
•    Sarah Kiel, RDN, CSSD, Yale Hospitality
•    David Ruiz, Chef, Overland Park Convention Center | Oak View Group
•    Ken Toong, UMass Amherst

Retail Dietitians
•    Stacy Bates, RD, CDE, H-E-B
•    Laura Brown, MS, RDN, LDN, Kroger
•    Jillian Griffith, MSPH, RDN, LDN, Amazon
•    Thu Huynh, MDA, RD, LDN, Giant Food
•    Kilene Knitter, MS, RD, Giant Company
•    Morgan Kratzer, MS, RDN, Inserra ShopRites
•    Elaine Magee, RD, Albertsons
•    Emily McGee, RD, LDN, Stop and Shop
•    Amy Petersen, MPPD, RDN, LD, Coborn’s
•    Allison Primo, MS, RD, LD, Schnucks
•    Marisa Scarlet, MS, RDN, CD, Harmon’s
•    Meghan Sedivy, RD, LDN, Fresh Thyme
•    Yvette Waters, MS, RDN, CISSN, Raley’s

The Consumer Connection Conference offers valuable education sessions from Google, Giant Food, Kroger, and other industry leaders, along with networking and signature meal experiences designed to connect produce marketers with Food and Nutrition Influencers.

The Foundation for Fresh Produce invites industry professionals to take part in The Consumer Connection Conference to discover new strategies, build partnerships, and gain insights from the industry’s top Food and Nutrition influencers, who are on the front lines inspiring consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables.

For more information or to register, visit The Consumer Connection Conference site. 

About The Foundation for Fresh Produce 
The Foundation for Fresh Produce is growing a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health. We believe fruits and vegetables are the answer and we must remove barriers that prevent people from eating them. 

The Foundation boosts the appeal of fruits and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, improves access, nurtures passionate fruit and vegetable professionals, and scales partner programs that strengthen our collective global impact. 

To join in changing the trajectory of human health, visit www.freshproduce.com/foundation to learn more and donate. For consumer inspiration and professional nutrition education, go to www.fruitsandveggies.org.

Contact: Katie Calligaro, kcalligaro@freshproduce.com, (202) 303-341
Ashley Sempowski, asempowski@freshproduce.com, (202) 303-3406