WASHINGTON, DC - International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced a reorganization at IFPA to enhance and amplify the association’s goals in the areas of produce safety and food safety regulations.

Under the new structure, IFPA’s regulatory and compliance expert, Dr. Paul Lewis will join the Government Relations Team and report to Chief Global Policy Officer, Alexis Taylor. Other members of the Food Safety team including Dr. Angie Fraser, vice president of food safety & quality; Dr. Jorge Quintanilla, food safety manager; and Alison Saltzmann, food safety support coordinator, will join the Science and Technology (SciTech) team under Dr. Max Teplitski.

“Food safety is foundational to our industry’s success,” said Teplitski in a press release. “Aligning our experts across our Advocacy and Science teams will help us deliver on the strategic imperatives to future proof our industry, garner worldwide influence, and create more valuable and personalized touchpoints and resources for our members. Food safety is a shared responsibility across every role and every step of the supply chain; and it’s a central part to all of the work the SciTech team does including the ongoing work in packaging, FSMA 204 readiness, regenerative ag, and the Supply Chain of the Future initiative.”

Alexis Taylor is IFPA’s Chief Global Policy Officer and drives the association’s global public policy agenda through leading IFPA’s Government Relations team. Prior to joining the organization in January, she served as the Under Secretary of Trade & Foreign Agricultural Affairs (TFAA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), where she oversaw the U.S. Codex Alimentarius office. CODEX Alimentarius is the international food safety standard-setting body.

Dr. Teplitski is the Chief Science Officer at IFPA, overseeing supply chain, packaging, sustainability, innovation and data portfolios. Prior to joining IFPA’s predecessor organization, Teplitski oversaw USDA’s $150M investment into food safety and nutrition research and capacity programs at USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. An author of over 100 scientific studies on food safety and ecosystem health, he was a Professor at the University of Florida and a Fellow at the Smithsonian Institution. His discoveries earned him national and international awards.

The SciTech team also includes the portfolios for the supply chain, ag technology, sustainability, and the global intelligence team which delivers on IFPA’s proprietary research and analysis. This team also serves as critical advisors to the Government Relations team at IFPA.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Paul officially to the Government Relations team,” said IFPA Chief Global Policy Officer, Alexis Taylor. “While we’ve always worked across our teams effectively, this alignment allows us to more meaningfully commit government advocacy resources to food safety on the industry’s behalf in DC and in priority global regions. There are growing pressures on how, where, how much and when we grow and deliver fruits and vegetables across the world. This reorganization will help us to discover and advocate for the most powerful solutions and strategies to ensuring our industry is positioned to not only address these growing challenges but find the opportunities in them as well.”

While the reorganization goes into effect immediately, this won’t result in any changes to work planned for 2025 or any volunteer leadership activities. This work will continue to be supported by the industry leaders and IFPA volunteer liaisons.

SALINAS, CA - Taylor Farms will be celebrating 30 years in the foodservice industry at the 2025 International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Foodservice Conference in Monterey, Calif. As North America’s leading producer of ready-to-eat salads and healthy fresh foods, Taylor Farms will highlight the latest in fresh forward ingredients including bold new salad blends, on trend vegetable sides, and nutritious grab-and-go school solutions in booth #608.

“We look forward to connecting with our partners at IFPA and celebrating the legacy we could not have achieved without them,” said Lisa Hearne, Senior Vice President of Foodservice Sales and Marketing, in a press release. “As demonstrated over the past three decades, Taylor Farms remains committed and focused on providing solutions and building partnerships with our customers each step of the way. It’s been an incredible journey and we’re eager for what’s ahead.”

“Our Foodservice business is the foundation upon which Taylor Farms was built,” said Ted Taylor, President of Taylor Farms Foodservice Division. “Thirty years ago, we set out with three core principles: take care of the customers, take care of each other, and do the right thing. We are incredibly grateful for the relationships we’ve built with our customers and supply partners by remaining deeply committed to these fundamentals. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey, and we look forward to a bright future together.”

Ahead of the event, Taylor Farms will host field and facility tours showcasing the latest harvest technology, innovative processes, and value-added products.

Taylor Farms looks forward to celebrating with long-time customers and partners as they reflect and anticipate the next milestone.