IFPA celebrates industry volunteers during National Volunteer Week

Newark, De. and Washington D.C. – International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) BB #:378962 is celebrating industry volunteers during National Volunteer Week, an annual week of recognition each April.

When IFPA announced its call for volunteers in the Fall of 2021, more than 1000 industry members responded, eager to work towards the IFPA mission of creating a vibrant future for all.

“IFPA is built on a foundation of volunteer engagement. When our new organization was announced a year ago, it was due to the strategic thinking and progressive outlook of a group of volunteer leaders as to what a new association would look like and stand for,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “Since then, we had an incredible turnout of leaders from across our global community wanting to lend their expertise to drive IFPA forward. I am deeply appreciative of their commitment to the association as we work together to deliver strategies and initiatives that will benefit our membership and industry.”

IFPA was formed out of legacy organizations Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh Produce Association. Both organizations had a rich history of volunteer leadership that continues in the new association. Volunteer leaders comprise working groups, task forces and committees that are dedicated to specific segments or programs like the Produce Identification Committee and the Produce Foodservice Committee; regions like the Brazil Council and the Southern African Council; and advisory groups that support advocacy efforts like the Food Safety Council and Government Relations Committee.

“Our association works not just on behalf of our industry, but together with our industry,” said IFPA Chief Membership Officer, Miriam Wolk. “Through their generous time and expertise, IFPA members provide the guidance and input that drives the association’s work. We very much appreciate all of our member contacts who choose to serve the industry as a volunteer and thank you for your commitment to the industry.”

IFPA has also shared a print image featuring all of the volunteer names of those serving in the association’s inaugural year. You can find the celebratory image here.

There are a variety of ways that interested members can serve the industry with IFPA from multi-year or leadership terms on councils and committees to micro-volunteer opportunities that make a major impact with less of a time commitment.

Those interested can find more information about the variety of volunteer opportunities at IFPA here.

About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) 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. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our member’s prosperity by conducting advocacy; connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence.  While IFPA is built on the legacy of United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association, it is not just a combination. It is transformational. Recognizing the industry required an even more powerful and unified voice, the leaders of the former United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association chose not to merge, but rather to create an entirely new organization to supercede their organizations, effective January 1, 2022.