SACRAMENTO, CA - It’s the time of year again where California fruit suppliers and legislators from around the state descend upon Sacramento to discuss the year’s most pressing issues, and with AndNowUKnow headquarters located just down the street from the Capitol, we just had to see the action for ourselves.
From March 1st through the 2nd, Association President Barry Bedwell hosted government officials for the annual California Fresh Fruit Association’s (CFFA) Government Relations Trip, filled with meetings with some of the state’s agriculture industry’s biggest players.
“CFFA’s Annual Government Relations Trip allows a small, highly involved portion of our membership to closely interact with selected regulators and elected officials to discuss issues in depth,” shared Bedwell in a statement. “In addition, strong relationships are developed and strengthened for the benefit of the Association and California Agriculture.”
For the first day of the trip, Bedwell and association members met with several state regulatory departments, including the Department of Pesticide Regulation, Department of Water Resources, and the Agriculture Labor Relations Board, rounding the day out with the CFFA Annual Government Relations Reception & Dinner at Sacramento hot spot and seasonal food advocate, Esquire Grill. There, we were able to discuss California agriculture and the growing importance of issues like the state’s drought, labor issues, food safety, health care mandates, and invasive pests with members of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture like Jacqui Irwin and State Senators like Environmental Quality Committee Chair Bob Wieckowski.
Day two of the trip included a presentation by guest speaker and State Treasurer John Chiang, followed by meetings in the Capitol with Senators Berryhill, Glazer, and Fuller, as well as Assembly Members Gray and Mayes.
It’s no doubt the two-day trip catalyzed many fruitful conversations between California fruit industry members and the state’s most crucial government officials—I know it did for me. Stay tuned as we continue to cover the CFFA’s advocacy of agriculture’s most pressing issues.
