IFPA CEO Burns now co-chair of Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance

International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns has joined the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance as the advocacy organization’s fourth co-chair.

Burns joins sitting co-chairs Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers; and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, in providing direction for the coalition as it works to advance its priorities in the reauthorization of the farm bill.

The SCFBA was established to advocate for the needs of specialty crop growers in the farm bill and enhance their overall competitiveness in the face of increasing global competition and regulatory and buyer demands, according to a news release.

“The farm bill is a vitally important bill that ensures our industry is competitive in the global marketplace,” Burns said in the release. “In addition to setting the nation’s agricultural agenda for the next five years, it represents a world of opportunities for fruit, vegetable, and floral producers to access research, programs, and other tools to enhance their growth and prosperity. It is an honor to join the SCFBA as a co-chair, and I look forward to advocating for IFPA policy priorities and our members in this leadership role.”

Previously, Burns served as CEO of Produce Marketing Association from 2013 to 2021 and helped bring the PMA together with the United Fresh Produce Association. Under her leadership, IFPA was launched to serve the global fresh produce and floral industries.

Burns also previously served as president of Food Lion, Harveys and Reid’s.
SCFBA is a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products. In early 2023, the alliance released a set of key policy priorities as part of its 2023 Farm Bill recommendations.