The Consumer Connection Conference Schedule

Monday, April 28, 2025

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Registration

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

1:1 Appointments

By invitation only

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Food & Nutrition Influencer Reception

By invitation only

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Opening Reception

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

7:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Registration Open

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Networking Breakfast (open to all registrants)
and
1:1 Appointments (by invitation only)

9:00 AM - 9:20 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Emcee

Alex DiNovo
President and Chief Operating Officer
DNO Produce and
Past Chair of The Foundation for Fresh Produce

Speaker

Dwight Ferguson
President & CEO
California Agricultural Leadership Foundation and
Chair of The Foundation for Fresh Produce

9:20 AM - 10:05 AM

Unlocking Consumer Trends: Shaping the Future of Produce Demand

Gain a competitive edge with a deep dive into the latest consumer trends driving fresh fruit and vegetable consumption. Partnering with Russell Research, IFPA unveils key insights into health and wellness priorities, shifting demographics, and their impact on consumer choices. Learn practical strategies to align with these trends and position your business for success in 2025 and beyond.

Speaker

Lauren M. Scott
President, The Foundation for Fresh Produce

10:05 AM - 10:35 AM

Networking & Refreshment Break

10:35 AM - 11:50 AM

Leveraging Google Trends for Effective Consumer Engagement

Discover how Google Trends can enhance your marketing strategies to put consumers at the center and effectively communicate the health and nutrition benefits of fruits and vegetables. This interactive session will provide an overview of food trends, share best practices through case studies, and give you practical insights for using this tool for better consumer engagement.

Sara Schwartz
Strategy & Insights – Food & Beverage
Google

11:50 AM - 1:20 PM

Powerful Produce Pairings Lunch

Where culinary techniques meet science expertise - this unique flavor exploration will showcase produce and the power of pairings.

1:20 PM - 2:00 PM

Shaping Consumer Choices Across Diverse Communities & Lifestyles

Join us for a dynamic conversation with thought leaders who are shaping consumer food choices across diverse sectors. In this engaging panel, you'll gain insights from experts who offer perspectives from various communities and lifestyles — from campus dining halls, to military families, to e-commerce — and explore the strategies they use to inspire healthier, more sustainable habits. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about community-based strategies to address barriers to consumption as well as approaches to creating life-long behavior change.

Moderator

Sophie Egan, MPH
Founder of Full Table Solutions
Strategic Advisor to IFPA/FFP

Panelists

Heather Campbell, MS, RDN
Expert, Military Food Insecurity and Family Readiness

Jillian Griffith, MSPH, RDN
Senior Health Partnerships Manager
Amazon Access

Sarah Kiel, RD, CSSD
Health & Wellness Manager
Yale University

2:00 PM - 2:40 PM

Networking & Coffee Break

2:40 PM - 3:20 PM

Nudging Nutrition in Retail:
Simple Tactics to Increase Produce Consumption

Discover how leading retail dietitians are using strategic nudges to guide shoppers toward healthier food choices—especially fresh produce. In this fast-paced, insight-packed panel, experts will share three key approaches transforming the grocery space:

Data-Driven Nudging: Learn how leveraging retail data empowers shoppers to make healthier choices and increases produce sales.
Personalized Consultations: See how one-on-one guidance from retail dietitians drives both customer loyalty and improved health outcomes.
Omnichannel Engagement: Explore the power of strategic communication in inspiring shopper behavior across digital and in-store touchpoints.

Join us for practical, real-world strategies that bridge the gap between consumer wellness and business growth.

Moderator

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

Panelist

Stacy Bates, MS, RDN, LD, CDE
Director of Nutrition and Wellness Strategy
H-E-B

Laura N. Brown, MS, RDN, LDN
Director of Nutrition
The Kroger Co.

Thu Huynh, MDA, RD, LDN
Nutritionist
Giant Food

3:20 PM - 3:30 PM

Day's Wrap Up

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Have A Plant® Social Soiree: Celebrating A World of Flavors

Celebrate the incredible flavors that make fruits & veggies the star of every plate. Join us to explore global cuisines, discover powerful produce pairings and connect with consumer Food & Nutrition Influencers. Come hungry for inspiration and ready to take your taste buds on a journey!

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

8:00 AM - 8:50 AM

Networking Breakfast

8:50 AM - 9:50 AM

What’s Next in Consumer Health Trends?

Consumer trends are shifting rapidly, especially as it relates to their priorities around health. Demographic groups, from young to old, are changing their priorities and foods they eat. At the same time, growing interest in GLP-1s is changing the consumer’s relationship with food. Produce is often at the forefront of consumer demand shifts and this session will explore the major shifts impacting the produce department.

Speaker

Sherry Frey
Vice President of Total Wellness
NielsenIQ

9:50 AM - 10:10 AM

Networking & Coffee Break

10:10 AM - 10:50 AM

The Great Debate: In-house Creators vs. Creator Partners

In today’s marketing landscape, content is king—but who wears the crown? Independent creators and influencers captivate audiences with authenticity, engagement, and a deep personal connection, while corporations leverage brand voice, data, and high production value to drive impact. So, which approach delivers the best results? Join us for a lively debate where two industry experts go head-to-head, arguing the strengths and weaknesses of content produced by independent creators versus in-house corporate teams. This moderated debate will tackle key questions about creativity, audience trust, brand control, and ROI. Get ready for a compelling session that will challenge your perspective on content creation!

Moderator

Mary Heslep
Senior Vice President
Ten Acre Marketing

Speakers

Liz Della Croce
Creator and Author of The Lemon Bowl®

Melanie Marcus, MA, RD
Nutrition and Health Communications Manager
Dole

10:50 AM - 11:00 AM

Schedule of Events

Monday, April 28, 2025

Registration

1:1 Appointments

Food & Nutrition Influencer Reception

Opening Reception

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Registration Open

Networking Breakfast (open to all registrants)
and
1:1 Appointments (by invitation only)

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Unlocking Consumer Trends: Shaping the Future of Produce Demand

Lauren M. Scott
President, The Foundation for Fresh Produce

Networking & Refreshment Break

Leveraging Google Trends for Effective Consumer Engagement

Powerful Produce Pairings Lunch

Shaping Consumer Choices Across Diverse Communities & Lifestyles

Networking & Coffee Break

Nudging Nutrition in Retail:
Simple Tactics to Increase Produce Consumption

Laura N. Brown, MS, RDN, LDN
Director of Nutrition
The Kroger Co.

Thu Huynh, MDA, RD, LDN
Nutritionist
Giant Food

Day's Wrap Up

Have A Plant® Social Soiree: Celebrating A World of Flavors

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Networking Breakfast

What’s Next in Consumer Health Trends?

Networking & Coffee Break

The Great Debate: In-house Creators vs. Creator Partners

Liz Della Croce
Creator and Author of The Lemon Bowl®

Closing & Celebratory Send-off

Related Resources

Schedule of Events

Monday, April 28, 2025

Registration

1:1 Appointments

Food & Nutrition Influencer Reception

Opening Reception

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Registration Open

Networking Breakfast (open to all registrants)and1:1 Appointments (by invitation only)

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Unlocking Consumer Trends: Shaping the Future of Produce Demand

Lauren M. ScottPresident, The Foundation for Fresh Produce

Networking & Refreshment Break

Leveraging Google Trends for Effective Consumer Engagement

Powerful Produce Pairings Lunch

Shaping Consumer Choices Across Diverse Communities & Lifestyles

Networking & Coffee Break

Nudging Nutrition in Retail: Simple Tactics to Increase Produce Consumption

Laura N. Brown, MS, RDN, LDNDirector of NutritionThe Kroger Co.

Thu Huynh, MDA, RD, LDNNutritionistGiant Food

Day's Wrap Up

Have A Plant® Social Soiree: Celebrating A World of Flavors

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Networking Breakfast

What’s Next in Consumer Health Trends?

Networking & Coffee Break

The Great Debate: In-house Creators vs. Creator Partners

Liz Della CroceCreator and Author of The Lemon Bowl®

Closing & Celebratory Send-off

Related Resources

Networking Breakfast (open to all registrants)
and
1:1 Appointments (by invitation only)

Lauren M. Scott
President, The Foundation for Fresh Produce

Nudging Nutrition in Retail:
Simple Tactics to Increase Produce Consumption

Laura N. Brown, MS, RDN, LDN
Director of Nutrition
The Kroger Co.

Thu Huynh, MDA, RD, LDN
Nutritionist
Giant Food

Liz Della Croce
Creator and Author of The Lemon Bowl®