Tammy DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter and incoming chair of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), outlined a new strategic plan during her address at the recent Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia.
The plan, focused on three key pillars – worldwide influence, personalized member experience and future-proofing the industry – aims to position IFPA as a global leader and drive growth for the fresh produce and floral industry.
She said the association has spent the past year building the plan to “grow our members’ prosperity and build a vibrant future for all.”
Macro trends impacting fresh fruits and floral globally were considered.
“Society is evolving. We are evolving. And we, IFPA, must continue to evolve,” DeBoer said. “Evolving requires an additional commitment to innovation and developing new ways to further our efforts.”
DeBoer emphasized the importance of innovation and technology in achieving these goals.
“The connective tissue between these pillars is innovation, technology, data, AI and our global brand,” she said. “We will leverage technology to refine our in-person and digital ecosystems to become more personalized and tailored to meet your needs.”
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To ensure IFPA’s continued relevance, the organization will focus on scaling its operations and shifting its mindset from reactive to proactive.
“IFPA itself must scale up and must show up as a global organization,” DeBoer stated. “This requires a shift from global presence to global influence; global thinking to global doing; enhanced engagement and intentional impact.”
By prioritizing advocacy, sustainability, nutrition, supply chain and food safety, IFPA aims to enhance its reach and impact.
“Around the world, IFPA will ensure representation where conversations and policies about food and health are happening,” DeBoer explained. “It is so important that we are present. Our global influence will address top-level issues and generate a desired impact for members and our great industry.”
DeBoer concluded her address by expressing her enthusiasm for the future of IFPA and the fresh produce and floral industry.
“I absolutely love this industry that I have been in for 35 years, and I am honored to serve as your board chair,” she said.
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